CIO was founded in 1987 in Framingham, Massachusetts, to serve executives and technology decision makers in the information technology field and the burgeoning role of Chief Information Officer. The publication, created as part of Boston-based International Data Group's enterprise publications business, was built to deliver CIO-focused news, features and commentary on emerging technologies and products, industry trends and research, innovation in the tech industry, and legal and regulatory implications of technology.
The CIO portfolio currently includes CIO Magazine and CIO.com, as well as CIO Executive Programs, CIO Strategic Marketing Services, CIO Forum on LinkedIn, CIO Executive Council and CIO primary research. Serving CIOs and other IT leaders, CIO.com, CIO magazine, CIO Executive Programs, CIO Custom Solutions Group and the CIO Executive Council are produced by IDG Enterprise, a business unit of IDG. Besides that since 2003 the CIO Magazine together with Computerwoche awards the "CIO of the Year", which has become one of the leading awards within the international CIO community. Furthermore for the first time in 2016 the CIO Magazine together with the CIO Foundation and the WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management announced the CIO Executive Award, to award an uprising individual within the community. The 2016 winner of the CIO Executive Award was Hans-Martin Hellebrand, Founder of Humada Inc.
The monthly magazine was started in 1987, when the CIO title was new and relatively unknown in corporate America. Today, CIOs direct IT strategy and direction as well as more tactical technology operations at Fortune 1000 companies. They have to be fluent in technology and business issues, and they work closely with other company leaders in various business functions. The magazine has a qualified circulation of 140,000 readers, most of whom are CIOs and senior IT leaders.
On October 29, 2015, editor-in-chief Maryfran Johnson announced that the print magazine had ceased publication.
In 1996, the website was launched as a companion to the magazine and over the last 19 years has grown into a destination site for technology leaders, managers and tech enthusiasts of all levels looking to find engaging articles, news and reviews focused on the challenges facing today's IT leaders.