WebProNews

Tag: Toolbox

  • Ziff Davis Buys ComputerShopper.com

    Publisher and Internet company Ziff Davis just acquired monthly consumer computer magazine Computer Shopper. This is the fifth acquisition for Ziff Davis since early last year, a company once known for high-end hobby magazines, until it evolved into more of an internet information firm, managing sites including PCMag.com, ExtremeTech.com, Geek.com, Toolbox.com and LogicBuy.com.

    Computer Shopper was founded in 1979, and was once a bible-thick tome of computer wares geared toward technology enthusiasts. It was originally bought by Ziff Davis in 1993, but then sold a decade later to CNET. After a few more switchings of hands, Ziff Davis again owns its evolved iteration, ComputerShopper.com.

    Interestingly, Ziff Davis was founded in 1927 in Chicago by William B. Ziff, Sr. and Bernard G. Davis. The company began to shift a focus on tech in 1980, but eventually filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2008, which prompted a court-supervised restructuring in 2009. Eventually in 2010, former Time Magazine executive Vivek Shah, backed by Boston private equity firm Great Hill Partners, stepped in to acquire of Ziff Davis Inc., calling it the “first step in building a new digital media company that specializes in producing and distributing content for consumers making important buying decisions.”

  • HR Pros See Value In Social Media

    Social media plays an important role in problem solving and strategy development in the workplace according to a new survey of 900 human resources executives conducted by Toolbox.com and PJA.

    Among HR executives and professionals, social media usage outpaced editorial and vendor content consumption. Respondents used social media at a rate of 3.77 hours per week, compared to 2.77 hours of online editorial content and 2.13 hours of online vendor content.

    HR-Social-Media

    The survey indicated active participation in social media is an important part of the HR job role and acts as a resource for experience-based knowledge in the workplace. Respondents said staying current (78%) and networking with peers (71%) as the most popular uses of social media.

    Additionally, more than half have responded to a question asked by a peer in an online community, while nearly 50 percent have built their personal knowledge network by making connections with peers.

    "This survey proves HR professionals have been fast adopters of social media, not just for networking but for improving their value as professionals," said Mike O’Toole, president at PJA  Advertising + Marketing.

    "They clearly identify social media channels as a way to increase their expertise and build their professional reputation."

    Key highlights from the survey include:

    *Social media represents 43% of total media consumption among HR respondents (compared to 32% for editorial and 25% for vendor content).

    *Deep experience is seen as the most important attribute in a social media expert, followed by thoughtful and detailed responses.

    *Nearly half of respondents say that a social media presence greatly increases or increases their value as a job candidate, while more than 50% claim that social media is important or very important in building their personal brand.