Ziff Davis: A Century of Evolution in Publishing and Media
From its humble beginnings as a Chicago advertising agency in 1920, Ziff Davis has transformed itself through several eras of media consumption. What started as a venture into niche magazines has evolved into a global digital powerhouse, navigating the shifts from print pulp and broadcast television to the modern age of AI and cloud services.
The Early Years: Aviation and the Birth of a Brand
The company's roots trace back to the William B. Ziff Company, which initially focused on securing advertising for African American weekly newspapers. After acquiring the E. C. Auld Company in 1923, Ziff entered the publishing world with Ziff's Magazine, a collection of short stories and humor. However, it was the passion of William Ziff—a World War I aviator—that launched the company's first major success: Popular Aviation in August 1927.
Under the leadership of editor Harley W. Mitchell, Popular Aviation became a dominant force in the industry, reaching a circulation of 100,000 by 1929. The magazine underwent several name changes, including Aeronautics, before eventually becoming Flying in 1942, a title that continues to be published today.
The formal identity of the "Ziff-Davis Publishing Company" was established in 1936 when B.G. Davis joined the firm. Davis, a photography enthusiast, expanded the portfolio by launching Popular Photography in May 1937.
Diversification into Fiction, Hobbies, and Comics
In 1938, Ziff-Davis expanded its reach by acquiring Radio News and Amazing Stories from the bankrupt Experimenter Publishing. These titles were rejuvenated under Ziff-Davis's resources, with Radio News eventually spawning Popular Electronics in 1955. The company also became a key player in science fiction with Fantastic Adventures and Fantastic.
The 1950s saw a brief but notable foray into comic books. Operating under their own name and Approved Comics, the company avoided superheroes in favor of horror, crime, romance, and Westerns. Notable creators like Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel served as art director. While most titles were sold to St. John Publications by 1953, the G.I. Joe comic persisted until 1957.
Following the death of Bill Ziff in 1953, his son, William B. Ziff Jr., took the helm. The company continued to diversify, launching HiFi and Music Review (which became Stereo Review) and entering the bridal market with Modern Bride.
The Digital Pivot and Technology Dominance
As the personal computing revolution took hold in the 1970s and 80s, Ziff Davis pivoted toward technology. By acquiring PC Magazine in 1982 and MacWEEK in 1988, the company established itself as the leading technology magazine business. This era saw the birth of ZiffNet in 1991 and the subsequent launch of ZDNet in 1994.
The company also experimented with television. In 1994, it launched The Personal Computing Show on CNBC. Later, in 1998, it launched ZDTV, a 24-hour interactive cable network. Despite critical acclaim and an investment from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures, ZDTV struggled with cable carriage fees and was eventually sold to Vulcan in 2000.
Corporate Transitions and Modern Acquisitions
The turn of the millennium brought significant restructuring. Ziff Davis was acquired by CNET Networks in 2000 for $1.6 billion. After a period of volatility, including a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2008 to restructure debt, the company was eventually acquired by Great Hill Partners and later sold to J2 Global in 2012 for $167 million in cash.
Under J2 Global, Ziff Davis embarked on an aggressive acquisition strategy to dominate digital media:
- IGN Entertainment (2013) from News Corporation.
- Ookla (2014), the owner of Speedtest.net.
- Mashable (2017) for $50 million.
- RetailMeNot (2020) for $420 million.
- Lifehacker (2023) from G/O Media.
- CNET and ZDNet (2024) from Red Ventures for $100 million.
In 2021, J2 Global split its cloud fax business (Consensus) and rebranded the remaining media entity as Ziff Davis, Inc.
Recent Developments and Legal Battles
The company has continued to expand its gaming footprint, acquiring the Gamer Network from ReedPop in 2024, which includes Eurogamer and Rock Paper Shotgun. However, the modern era has also brought legal challenges; in April 2025, Ziff Davis sued OpenAI for copyright infringement, alleging the misuse of news articles for AI training.
In a major financial move in March 2026, Ziff Davis sold Ookla (including Speedtest.net and Downdetector) to Accenture for $1.2 billion, alongside the sale of its Humble Bundle back catalog to Good Games Group.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1920 as an advertising agency; publishing began in 1923.
- First Major Hit: Popular Aviation (1927), which later became Flying.
- Tech Leadership: Dominated the PC era with PC Magazine and ZDNet.
- Major Sale: Sold Ookla to Accenture for $1.2 billion in 2026.
- Current Focus: High-traffic digital brands including IGN, Mashable, and CNET.
| Year | Brand/Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | Popular Aviation | First major aviation magazine venture |
| 1937 | Popular Photography | Expansion into hobbyist photography |
| 1982 | PC Magazine | Entry into dominant tech publishing |
| 1994 | ZDNet | Transition to internet-based news |
| 2013 | IGN Entertainment | Major expansion into gaming media |
| 2024 | CNET / ZDNet | Regained ownership of legacy tech brands |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the first magazine published by Ziff Davis?
The first venture was Ziff's Magazine (later America's Humor), but their first major industry-defining title was Popular Aviation, launched in 1927.
How did Ziff Davis transition from print to digital?
The company leveraged its success in tech magazines like PC Magazine to launch ZiffNet in 1991 and ZDNet in 1994, eventually acquiring digital-first platforms like Mashable and IGN.
Why did Ziff Davis sue OpenAI?
In April 2025, Ziff Davis filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement, claiming that OpenAI misused its news articles to train artificial intelligence models.
What happened to ZDTV?
Launched in 1998 as a 24-hour tech cable network, ZDTV struggled with high cable carriage fees and was eventually sold to Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures in 2000.
Which major asset did Ziff Davis sell in 2026?
Ziff Davis sold Ookla, the company behind Speedtest.net, Downdetector, and RootMetrics, to Accenture for $1.2 billion.