Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Ziff Davis discloses a third-party verified greenhouse gas inventory covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in its April 2025 ESG Report. However, the 10-K does not provide specific emissions data, targets, or quantitative reduction pathways in the filing itself. The company references environmental sustainability as one of its 'Five Pillars of Purpose' and states commitment to reducing its environmental footprint; however, without disclosed Scope 1/2/3 figures, net-zero target year, or evidence of direct decarbonization investments (vs. offsets), the score reflects significant disclosure gaps. No major environmental controversies or fines are documented in the 10-K. The company acknowledges climate-related physical risks (extreme weather, power outages) and regulatory risks but has not quantified mitigation or adaptation capex.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Environmental Sustainability Pillar

Company identifies 'Environmental Sustainability' as one of five core purpose pillars, with stated goal to 'reduce environmental footprint and continue helping customers and users reduce their footprint.'
Third-Party Verified GHG Inventory

April 2025 ESG Report includes third-party verified greenhouse gas inventory calculating Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, though specific figures are not disclosed in the 10-K.
Climate Risk Assessment

Company states it is 'assessing and managing the climate-related risks to our operations, including through our Environmental, Social and Governance Committee.'

Social story

Ziff Davis employs approximately 3,900 employees (55% U.S.-based, 45% international). The company voluntarily recognized a union representing ~110 editorial employees in Technology & Shopping and Gaming & Entertainment as of December 31, 2025, with no documented union suppression or major strikes in the past 24 months. The company publishes an annual Diversity Report (fifth edition in 2025) and emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion through hiring strategies, recruitment programs, and professional development initiatives. Specific CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio, workforce diversity percentages, and leadership diversity percentages are not disclosed in the 10-K. The company offers competitive benefits including 80% health insurance coverage, 16 weeks paid parental leave, flexible time off, and employee assistance programs. No major labor controversies, safety incidents, or supply-chain human rights violations are documented in the filing. However, lack of quantified diversity metrics and pay-equity disclosure limits the social score.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Pillar

Company identifies DEI as first of five purpose pillars, focusing on hiring diverse talent, fair practices, equal opportunity, and diverse employee representation to serve diverse customer base. Published fifth annual Diversity Report in 2025.
Competitive Employee Benefits Package

Comprehensive benefits include 80% employer-paid health insurance premiums, 401(k), flexible time off, 16 weeks paid parental leave, paid family/sick/military/jury/bereavement leave, paid disability, family planning support, telemedicine, wellness apps, and 16 hours annual paid volunteer time off.
Global Mentorship and Internal Mobility Programs

Company offers Global Mentorship Program and Internal Mobility Program to support employee development and career advancement.
Employee Assistance Fund (EAF)

Expanded Employee Assistance Fund with America's Charities supporting >99% of employees across 14 countries, offering financial hardship relief for natural disasters and personal emergencies.
Fair Compensation and Benchmarking

Company states commitment to 'fair pay practices' and periodically benchmarks roles to identify compensation adjustments.

Governance story

Ziff Davis operates with a multi-pillar governance framework, identifying Governance as the fifth purpose pillar and committing to 'rigorous and transparent corporate governance structure' representing shareholders' best interests. The company has established a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics posted on its investor website. However, the 10-K does not disclose board independence percentage, board composition, or share structure (single vs. dual-class). The company is engaged in two active lawsuits: (1) copyright infringement and DMCA violation claims against OpenAI filed April 24, 2025, and (2) antitrust and deceptive practices lawsuit against Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. filed February 6, 2026, related to publisher ad server and ad exchange practices. No material SEC consent decrees, antitrust judgments, or lobbying disclosures targeting environmental or consumer-protection deregulation are documented in the 10-K. The company acknowledges ESG-related risks and reports exposure to regulatory compliance costs, but governance-specific metrics and board details are largely undisclosed.

Criticisms on file

Copyright infringement and DMCA violation lawsuit against OpenAI, Inc. filed April 24, 2025, alleging unlawful and unauthorized copying and use of Ziff Davis content by OpenAI's generative AI systems.
Source: ZD_10k.txt, Item 3 – Legal Proceedings
Antitrust and deceptive practices lawsuit against Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. filed February 6, 2026, alleging violations of antitrust laws, unlawful deceptive acts or practices, common law fraud, and unjust enrichment related to publisher ad servers and ad exchanges.
Source: ZD_10k.txt, Item 3 – Legal Proceedings

Disclosed initiatives

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Board-adopted Code of Conduct applies to all directors and employees, posted on corporate governance page of investor website.
Environmental, Social and Governance Committee

Company established ESG Committee to oversee governance, including assessment and management of climate-related risks to operations.
Transparent ESG Reporting

Company issues annual ESG Report (fourth edition in April 2025) detailing policies, programs, practices, and verified GHG inventory.
Governance as Purpose Pillar

Company identifies Governance as fifth core purpose pillar, committing to 'represent shareholders' best interests with our rigorous and transparent corporate governance structure.'

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Ziff Davis, Inc.. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Ziff Davis, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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