A new life - of sorts - for PC World, Computerworld and Reseller News

June 21: IDG Australia will take on the NZ editions of Computerworld, PC World and Reseller News from Fairfax, publishing online-only.

NBR understands some reporters currently employed across the titles will stay on for the Australian-hosted online versions.

Advertisers are being briefed by Fairfax this afternoon ahead of a public announcement.

In a surprise move, the money-making CIO magazine - which Fairfax had sought to keep in its stable - will also fall under IDG Australia control.

And while the other titles are going online only, "CIO will continue to operate in online, print and events." IDG Australia managing director Davy Adams tells NBR ONLINE.

CIO editor Divina Paredes will remain.

Asked how the other publications will be staffed, Mr Adams says, "We will be employing journalists to work across the IDG brands. So it's less about who is staying and more about who is right for the new jobs."

IDG Australia is a fully-owned subsidiary of Boston-based IDG, which publishes Computerworld, PC World and other technology titles, and owns market researcher IDC.

IDG's NZ subsidiary published local editions before it was folded in 2005 in favour of licensing the magazines to Fairfax - which, ironically, at first tried and failed to manage them out of Australia before palming them on to a reluctant Fairfax NZ.

In a statement, Fairfax Magazines GM Lynley Belton says, “While we were very committed to continue publishing CIO, with today’s decision that IDG will retain its presence in New Zealand, it seems logical they should manage all of their brands in this territory."

"We’re stoked to hear that it looks like Computerworld, CIO and the other titles will be remaining in New Zealand," Institute of IT Professionals NZ CEO Paul Matthews tells NBR.

"Some or all of them going online-only seems sensible too, given the changing environment and how people get their news these days. The online-only format is more flexible too, and if IDG is prepared to invest in the platform we may end up with a very good result when the dust settles."

Mr Matthews adds, "We certainly hope some of the current reporters are retained – these publications meet very important niches and the industry would have been far worse off without them."

ckeall@nbr.co.nz

Follow @ChrisKeall

Mitchell talks to IDG as rumours swirl of Computerworld, PC World, Reseller News deal; Aussie angle crops up
June 20: A source close to the Fairfax technology magazine closure tells NBR an announcement on Computerworld, PC World and Reseller News will be made shortly.

However, it's unclear whether the three titles' local publishing license for the IDG titles will be handed to another local publisher, or in what form. Or if the titles they will simply cease to have any any presence in the NZ market. Fairfax is keeping the license for CIO magazine, the cash cow in the stable by dint of its associated events business. The move limits the appeal of the IDG magazines for another local publisher.

One rumour has the Australian subsidiary of IDG taking on the titles, hosting them across the Tasman as online-only editions. A source close to the situation told NBR one journalist had been told to "expect a call from IDG Australia." Under this mooted scenario, some NZ reporters could be kept on to file copy to Sydney.

Another rumour has local publisher Sean Mitchell making a bid for the NZ license.

Mr Mitchell, who owns publications in the Tech Day stable (including NetGuide, recently moved online-only), tells NBR ONLINE he has "opened a dialogue with IDG."

He made the approach "A couple of days ago ... They responded saying they're currently handling things with Fairfax and will be back to us."

Mr Mitchell said his immediate query was about gaining an IDG news feed (the Boston-based publisher's stable includes the IDG News Service, which aggregates content from its worldwide titles).

Although Tech Day has yet to hear back from IDG, "We remain interested in licensing content from the IDG in some form or another," Mr Mitchell says.

Mr Mitchell - son of high-profile trade publisher Peter Mitchell - worked for IDG as an ad rep during the time it had a fully-owned New Zealand subsidiary (closed in 2005 in favour of licensing the titles to Fairfax Business Media).

IDG could not be immediately reached for comment. 

Fairfax Magazines general manager Lynley Belton tells NBR she is unaware of IDG, or any staff at PC World, Computerworld and Reseller news, being in any negotiations with a possible new NZ licensee.

The final Fairfax-produced editions of each title will appear in July. 

ckeall@nbr.co.nz

Follow @ChrisKeall