From its beginnings in 1843, when The Economist newspaper was founded by a Scottish hat manufacturer to further the cause of free trade, The Economist Group has evolved into a staunchly independent global media and information-services company with intelligent brands for an international audience.
Over time, the newspaper has helped readers grasp the great drivers of change, from technology to geopolitics, finance and economics. It added a dedicated section on the United States in 1942 and a China section in 2012. It expanded successfully into North America, which became its largest market. To serve decision-makers in businesses and beyond, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) became a leader in country analysis and forecasting. Live events around the world brought global thought-leaders together to discuss critical topics at roundtables and summits.
In recent years, the great change has been digital. The EIU started to deliver a timely stream of business intelligence and data. The Economist expanded its journalism online, onto its app and into podcasts, films, interactive infographics and social media. Economist Education began online executive courses, and Economist Impact grew, combining the reach and rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage influential stakeholders and find new ways to pursue progress.
