New CEO to take helm at Computerworld

International Data Group, Computerworld Inc.'s parent company, today announced the appointment of Robert P. Carrigan as publisher, president and CEO of Computerworld. Effective April 7, Carrigan will be responsible for all business activities of the print publication, as well as online, events and research operations.

Carrigan, 37, is no stranger to Boston-based IDG, having held various executive positions with the company throughout the '90s, including four years as vice president and associate publisher of PC World. His move to Framingham, Mass.-based Computerworld will follow a four-year stint at America Online Inc., where his current role is senior vice president of interactive marketing.

"I know the culture at IDG, and I respect the heritage of the flagship Computerworld brand," Carrigan said yesterday in a telephone interview. "The opportunity to lead the team at Computerworld was just too compelling an offer not to pursue. I jumped at it." The timing was right because "in the post-dot-com era, companies are investing more judiciously in IT, and IT management is regaining influence," he said. Computerworld, in turn, is influential with those IT leaders, Carrigan added.

At AOL, Carrigan led the Key Accounts Group, which sells and manages Dulles, Va.-based AOL's largest and most strategic accounts. "I'd like to think that I can take some of the creativity and ideas that we developed in working with those companies and apply that thinking and discipline to the IT space," Carrigan said. While his aim is to "create new and better ways to deliver information services to IT leaders," Carrigan said, readers shouldn't expect any drastic changes.

"My sense is that given all of the awards and the accolades and the reach that has been determined by independent studies, Computerworld is in fantastic shape from an editorial perspective," he said. "What I can tell you is that we will continue to listen to the readers. It's just a matter of looking out for new and better ways to evolve the product. We can't be complacent, obviously."

"We're all looking forward to working with our new CEO," said Maryfran Johnson, editor in chief of Computerworld. "Bob's impressive background in marketing and sales leadership at two great media companies -- IDG and AOL -- makes him an excellent choice to lead Computerworld."

Carrigan will take the reins from Martin Taylor, an IDG executive who has served as acting president of Computerworld since April of last year.