ITmedia

Basic Information

Stock Code
2148
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
December 1999
Listing Year
April 2007
Official Website
https://corp.itmedia.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
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Overview

ITmedia is a leading company founded in 1999 that operates IT news and specialized information sites, delivering information across multiple fields as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group.

Current Situation

ITmedia recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥6.9 billion and operating profit of approximately ¥2 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2021, establishing a stable revenue base. Its core business is operating a variety of IT-related news sites and specialized information sites, and it is recognized as Japan's largest IT information provider. It emphasizes overseas news, partnering with diverse domestic and international news sources to deliver high-quality information. With strong support from SoftBank Group, it maintains competitiveness in the digital media sector. In recent years, it has focused on data analysis and AI technologies to strengthen the dissemination of new trend information. It also promotes sustainability and journalistic ethics initiatives to enhance social trust. Moving forward, it aims to expand the market through content diversification and membership services while responding to IT technological innovations. Through its subsidiaries Order Navigation and ITreview, it is also focusing on the B2B sector, outlining growth strategies as a comprehensive information services company. In 2022, it transitioned to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • ITmedia was born from inheriting the ZDNet Japan business
  • Operates multiple of Japan's largest IT information portals
  • Maintains stable management base as a SoftBank Group subsidiary
  • Covers specialized information and trends with AI+ Channel and Netorabo
  • Launched Japan's first smartphone-dedicated news site
  • Promotes user interaction through numerous specialized blogs
  • Provides broad entertainment information by integrating game-related sites
  • Subsidiary operates ITreview, the leading IT product review service
  • Operates industry-specialized site TechTarget Japan
  • Collaborates with diverse specialized magazines and online media
  • Gained high industry evaluation from long years of news delivery track record
  • Utilizes overseas major sources like Reuters for news delivery
  • Digital media company based on advertising revenue model
  • Internally established code of journalistic ethics to maintain transparency
  • Continues services rooted in the local community

Hidden Connections

  • It is under SB Media Holdings, the media division of SoftBank Group
  • Direct business succession from the former operator of the Japanese version of ZDNet JAPAN
  • ITmedia and Impress Watch from the Impress group are considered the two pillars of Japan's IT media scene
  • Receives news feeds from major domestic and international wire services through multiple partnerships
  • Subsidiary Order Navigation provides business matching services for the IT industry
  • Holds influence in the digital market for product evaluations through ITreview operations
  • High trust among reporters and editors in the industry due to long years of online news operations
  • ITmedia ID membership base functions as a specialized IT industry community platform

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increased information demand from accelerating digital transformation
  • Service sophistication through introduction of AI and data analysis technologies
  • Revenue base strengthening through expansion of membership services
  • Growth in IT product reviews and B2B marketplaces
  • Content diversification through expanded domestic and international partnerships
  • Continuation of smartphone-centered information consumption trends
  • Increasing demand for online events and webinars
  • Sustained digital shift in the advertising market
  • Social trust acquisition through improved journalistic ethics and transparency
  • Enhanced information dissemination capabilities across multi-channels

Strategic Goals

  • Establish top position as comprehensive IT information media domestically and internationally
  • Create new businesses utilizing AI and data platforms
  • Practice sustainable and ethical reporting and advertising operations
  • Expand membership base to over 1 million and achieve revenue diversification
  • Establish leadership in B2B markets
  • Build corporate operations focused on reducing environmental impact
  • Maintain sustainable partnerships with local communities
  • Strengthen global news network
  • Innovate user experience through adaptation to new technologies
  • Promote diverse talent development and diversity management

Business Segments

IT Product and Service Adoption Support

Overview
Operates specialized membership media for IT product and service adoption and purchasing support.
Competitiveness
Abundant membership base and specialized information provision
Customers
  • Corporate Enterprises
  • IT Departments
  • System Integrators
  • IT Product Purchasing Staff
Products
  • TechTarget Japan
  • Keyman's Net
  • ITreview

Advertising and Marketing Services

Overview
Secures revenue through online advertising and marketing support.
Competitiveness
High-precision targeting and abundant traffic
Customers
  • Advertisers
  • Marketing Staff
  • IT Companies
  • Product Promotion Staff
Products
  • ITmedia Advertising Media
  • Digital Marketing Platform
  • ITmedia DMP

Web Services and Data Analysis

Overview
Conducts market research and content provision based on data analysis.
Competitiveness
Reliable data collection and analysis technologies
Customers
  • Corporate Research Departments
  • Business Planning
  • Marketing Research Companies
Products
  • Power of Surveys
  • Netorabo Research Squad

Software Development Support

Overview
Supports industry efficiency through development project matching.
Competitiveness
Specialized business matching platform
Customers
  • System Development Companies
  • Web Production Companies
  • Engineers
Products
  • Order Navigation

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Strong support from SoftBank Group
  • Diverse and specialized portfolio of operated sites
  • High brand recognition
  • Abundant advertising revenue base
  • Extensive expert network
  • Stable membership services
  • Long track record in the IT industry
  • Japan's largest IT news media
  • High-quality content production capabilities
  • Robust data analysis capabilities
  • Comprehensive information provision system
  • Proactive stance on technology adoption
  • Comprehensive customer support
  • Broad customer base
  • Sustainable revenue model

Competitive Advantages

  • Secures competitive edge by leveraging SoftBank Group's management resources
  • Covers broad customer segments through multifaceted online media expansion
  • Differentiates through high-quality content tailored to specialized fields
  • Improves profitability by optimizing advertising targeting with data analysis
  • Addresses diverse customer needs with enriched B2B services
  • Quickly responds to IT innovations and utilizes cutting-edge technologies
  • Builds stable revenue base with membership services
  • High brand recognition promotes acquisition of new users
  • Expertise of editors and reporters fosters credibility and depth of information
  • Expands information volume and quality through partnerships
  • Enhances market penetration with diverse sales channels
  • High operational efficiency due to integrated internal platforms
  • Expands diversity of advertising deals through reach across wide industries
  • Secures market superiority by promptly publishing frontline industry news
  • Improves user satisfaction with content based on latest trends

Threats

  • Revenue pressure from intensifying online advertising competition
  • Increased social scrutiny on information credibility
  • User attrition due to difficulties in content differentiation
  • Risk of failing to keep pace with technological innovations
  • Business operation constraints from strengthened regulations
  • Market share loss from direct entry by major IT companies
  • Risks and increased compliance costs from copyright issues
  • Intensifying talent outflow and acquisition competition
  • Potential difficulties in adapting to changes in consumer behavior
  • Operational burden from heightened privacy protection demands
  • Risk of advertising budget cuts due to economic fluctuations
  • Diversification and quality improvement of competing media

Innovations

2022: Introduction of AI-Powered Article Recommendation System

Overview
Implemented an AI recommendation engine based on user browsing history to improve convenience.
Impact
User dwell time and engagement increased by 20%

2021: Acquisition of RPA BANK and Expansion of AI Information Specialized Media

Overview
Acquired a specialized site for AI and RPA information provision to strengthen content.
Impact
Successfully expanded specialized user base and increased membership

2023: Launch of Data Analysis Service 'Netorabo Research Squad'

Overview
Developed new markets with content provision based on trend data analysis.
Impact
Contributed to increased acquisition of new advertising deals

2021: Enhancement of Membership Service 'ITmedia ID'

Overview
Revamped login infrastructure to improve user experience and advertising effectiveness.
Impact
Contributed to membership activation and improved advertising profitability

2020: Content Delivery Optimization Using Cloud Technology

Overview
Migrated to cloud infrastructure to ensure high-speed and stable delivery environment.
Impact
Achieved significant improvement in page load speed

Sustainability

  • Established code of journalistic ethics to ensure information reliability
  • Strengthened social contribution activities through participation in local events
  • Formulated sustainable advertising operation policies
  • Promoted reduction of environmental impact centered on digital content
  • Promoted diversity through utilization of diverse talent
  • Improved customer trust through strengthened information security
  • Maintained public interest and fairness of content
  • Disaster support measures in collaboration with local communities
  • Thorough privacy protection and transparency assurance
  • Strengthened governance for sustainable corporate operations
  • Improved work environment to enhance employee satisfaction
  • Established data management system compliant with international standards