International Data Group and Nikkei Business Publications to Merge Publications in China

TOKYO - March 11, 2004 - International Data Group (IDG) Asia/China and Nikkei Business Publications (Nikkei BP), Inc. today announced a marketing, sales and licensing agreement that will advance technology magazine publishing in the People's Republic of China. Under the terms of the agreement, Electronic Design & Application World will publish a single magazine under two logos -- Electronic Design & Application World and Nikkei Electronics - effective May 1, 2004.

Electronic Design & Application World magazine, launched in 2002 by Beijing Dongxiao International Technical Information Consulting Co., Ltd., a joint venture between IDG and the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China, will license editorial from Nikkei Electronics magazine published by Nikkei BP in Japan in the Japanese language.

Nikkei Electronics China, which debuted in Hong Kong in 2002 as the Chinese-language counterpart of Nikkei Electronics, will merge its circulation into Electronic Design & Application World, based in Beijing. In addition to providing editorial contents from Nikkei Electronics, Nikkei BP will provide marketing and advertising representation for the merged magazine outside China. Dongxiao will manage the merged magazine and provide marketing and advertising sales inside China. The English name of the merged magazine will be Electronic Design & Application World - Nikkei Electronics China.

"Both Electronic Design & Application World and Nikkei Electronics China are enthusiastically read by the electronics design engineering community in China," said Hugo Shong, president & CEO of IDG Asia/China. "By licensing Nikkei Electronics editorial, combining circulation with Nikkei Electronics China, and joining forces in global sales efforts, we can better serve both our readers and advertisers."

Electronic Design & Application World has a BPA-audited circulation of 28,534, plus 6,750 paid subscribers. Nikkei Electronics China has a BPA-audited circulation of 18,025. Nikkei Electronics has a Japan ABC-audited circulation of 40,090.

The agreement reflects both companies' ongoing commitment to magazine publishing in China. In 1980, IDG became the first international technology information service company to enter the Chinese market. It now publishes 30 magazines in China in partnership with various Chinese ministries. IDG also publishes many consumer magazines in China under licenses from U.S. media companies including Hearst Magazines, National Geographic Society, Primedia, Reed Business Information and Conde Nast Publications.

"We are delighted to be working with Nikkei Business Publications on Electronic Design & Application World," said Patrick J. McGovern, founder and chairman of International Data Group. "With Nikkei's support, the magazine will expand its circulation and editorial coverage and be able to contribute significantly to the development of China's rapidly-growing 0 billion (U.S.) electronics industry."

Yukoh Kawamura, president & CEO of Nikkei BP said: "Publishing is a domestic business in any country and if a publisher wants to be successful in another country, it is essential to find a good local partner. In this respect, I believe I have found a wonderful partner this time in China. Nikkei BP considers this merge of publications to be only the first step in our long-term relationship with IDG. I hope to work together with IDG in other areas for the common purpose of serving Chinese readers and advertisers."

Contacts:
Karen Ren, Director of Corporate Information, IDG China, in Beijing at Tel: (8610) 6526-2202, Fax: (8610) 6523-9808, or E-mail: karen_ren@idg.com.cn
Yuko Tanaka, Group Manager of International Office, Nikkei BP, in Tokyo at Tel (813) 5210-8502, Fax (813) 5210-8119 or E-mail: info@nikkeibp.com
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About International Data Group International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, research, and event company. A privately-held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World, and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide including LinuxWorld Conference & ExpoR, MacworldConference & ExpoR, DEMOR, and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.