Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

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                            ZIFF DAVIS HOLDINGS INC.

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
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                           Dated as of August 8, 2002

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SECTION 1.   AUTHORIZATION AND CLOSING; RESTRUCTURING INVESTMENT REDUCTION ..  2

     1A. Authorization of the Purchased Equity Stock ........................  2
     1B. Purchase and Sale of the Purchased Equity ..........................  2
     1C. The Closing; Restructuring Investment Reduction ....................  3

SECTION 2.   CONDITIONS OF THE PURCHASERS' OBLIGATION AT THE CLOSING ........  3

     2A. Representations and Warranties .....................................  3
     2B. Closing Documents ..................................................  3
     2C. Proceedings ........................................................  3
     2D. Compliance with Applicable Laws ....................................  4
     2E. Waiver .............................................................  4

SECTION 3.   CONDITIONS OF THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION AT THE CLOSING ..........  4

     3A. Representations and Warranties .....................................  4
     3B. No Action ..........................................................  4

SECTION 4.   TRANSFER OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES ..............................  4

     4A. Opinion Delivery ...................................................  4
     4B. Legend .............................................................  4
     4C. Legend Removal .....................................................  5

SECTION 5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY ..................  5

     5A. Organization, Corporate Power and Licenses .........................  5
     5B. Capital Stock and Related Matters ..................................  5
     5C. Authorization; No Breach ...........................................  6
     5D. Litigation, etc ....................................................  6
     5E. Brokerage ..........................................................  7
     5F. Governmental Consent, etc ..........................................  7
     5G. Investment Company .................................................  7

SECTION 6.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS ...............  7

     6A. Investment Representations .........................................  7
     6B. No Breach ..........................................................  8
     6C. Organization and Limited Partnership Power .........................  8
     6D. Brokerage ..........................................................  8

SECTION 7.   DEFINITIONS ....................................................  8

     7A. Definitions ........................................................  8

SECTION 8.   RIGHT TO EXCHANGE PURCHASED EQUITY .............................  9

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     8A. Exchange of Purchased Equity ....................................... 10
     8B. Additional Actions ................................................. 10

SECTION 9.   MISCELLANEOUS .................................................. 10

     9A. Expenses ........................................................... 10
     9B. Indemnification .................................................... 10
     9C. Survival of Representations and Warranties. ........................ 11
     9D. Remedies ........................................................... 11
     9E. Consent to Amendments .............................................. 11
     9F. Successors and Assigns ............................................. 11
     9G. Severability ....................................................... 11
     9H. No Third Party Beneficiaries ....................................... 11
     9I. Counterparts ....................................................... 11
     9J. Descriptive Headings; Interpretation ............................... 11
     9K. Governing Law ...................................................... 12
     9L. Notices ............................................................ 12
     9M. No Strict Construction ............................................. 13

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Exhibits and Schedules
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Exhibit A - Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Schedule of Purchasers
Capitalization Schedule

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                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of August 8, 2002, by and
among Ziff Davis Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the
purchasers listed on the attached Schedule of Purchasers (the "Purchasers").
Except as otherwise indicated herein, capitalized terms used herein are defined
in Section 7 hereof.

     The Purchasers are willing to invest an aggregate $3,000,000 in the Company
(the "Equity Investment") in the form of purchasing (i) an aggregate of 2,850
shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Series B Preferred"), for an aggregate purchase price of $2,850,000 and (ii) an
aggregate of 150 shares of the Company's Series C Convertible Preferred Stock,
$.01 par value per share (the "Series C Preferred"), for an aggregate purchase
price of $150,000 (such Series B Preferred and Series C Preferred being
purchased hereunder being referred to herein as the "Purchased Equity").

     The capital structure of the Company and Ziff Davis Media Inc., the
Company's principal operating subsidiary, may be restructured pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Offering Memorandum, Solicitation of Releases,
Consents and Acceptances and Disclosure Statement of the Company and Ziff Davis
Media Inc. dated June 17, 2002 (the "Exchange Offer") which, among other things,
requires the Purchasers to invest $80,000,000 in the Company (the "Restructuring
Investment").

     As a condition to the willingness of the Purchasers to make the Equity
Investment in the form of Series B Preferred and Series C Preferred, the
Purchasers have required that (i) the Company agree to exchange the Purchased
Equity for certain securities described in the Exchange Offer and (ii) the
Restructuring Investment be reduced dollar for dollar by the aggregate amount of
the Equity Investment.

     Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 30, 2002, by and among
the Company and the Purchasers (the "April Stock Purchase Agreement"), the (i)
Purchasers previously purchased an aggregate of 2,850 shares of Series B
Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of $2,850,000 and an aggregate of 150
shares of the Company's Series C Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of
$150,000 (such Series B Preferred and Series C Preferred being referred to
herein as the "April Purchased Equity"); (ii) the Company agreed to exchange the
April Purchased Equity for certain securities described in the Exchange Offer;
and (iii) the Company agreed that the Restructuring Investment would be reduced
by $3,000,000.

     Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 31, 2002, by and among
the Company and the Purchasers (the "May Stock Purchase Agreement"), the (i)
Purchasers previously purchased an aggregate of 2,945 shares of Series B
Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of $2,945,000 and an aggregate of 155
shares of the Company's Series C Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of
$155,000 (such Series B Preferred and Series C Preferred being referred to
herein as the "May Purchased Equity"); (ii) the Company agreed to exchange the
May Purchased Equity for certain securities described in the Exchange Offer; and
(iii) the Company agreed that the Restructuring Investment would be reduced by
$3,100,000.

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     Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated June 28, 2002, by and among
the Company and the Purchasers (the "June Stock Purchase Agreement"), the (i)
Purchasers previously purchased an aggregate of 3,800 shares of Series B
Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000 and an aggregate of 200
shares of the Company's Series C Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of
$200,000 (such Series B Preferred and Series C Preferred being referred to
herein as the "June Purchased Equity"); (ii) the Company agreed to exchange the
June Purchased Equity for certain securities described in the Exchange Offer;
and (iii) the Company agreed that the Restructuring Investment would be reduced
by $4,000,000.

     The Purchasers and the Company have agreed that, in exchange for the
Purchasers foregoing the receipt of $7,368,600 in cash as partial consideration
for the Purchasers exchanging their 12% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 of
Ziff Davis Media Inc., the Restructuring Investment would be reduced by
$7,368,600.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
agree as follows:

     Section 1. Authorization and Closing; Restructuring Investment Reduction.

     1A. Authorization of the Purchased Equity Stock. Prior to Closing (as
defined below), the Company shall authorize the issuance and sale to the
Purchasers of the Purchased Equity, having the rights and preferences set forth
in the Fifth Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company attached
hereto as Exhibit B (the "Fifth Charter").

     1B. Purchase and Sale of the Purchased Equity. On the basis of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, but
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including without
limitation the condition set forth in Section 1C below and the covenants of the
Company set forth in Section 8 below), at the Closing the Company shall sell to
the Purchasers and the Purchasers shall purchase from the Company an aggregate
of 2,850 shares of Series B Preferred for an aggregate purchase price of
$2,850,000 and an aggregate of 150 shares of Series C Preferred for an aggregate
purchase price of $150,000. The obligations of each Purchaser shall be several,
with each Purchaser obligated only to purchase the number of shares of Purchased
Equity set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on the Schedule of Purchasers
attached hereto.

     1C. The Closing; Restructuring Investment Reduction. The closing of the
purchase and sale of the Purchased Equity (the "Closing") shall take place at
the offices of Kirkland & Ellis, 200 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, IL 60601, at
10:00 a.m. on August 8, 2002, or at such other place or on such other date as
may be mutually agreeable to the Company and the Purchasers. At the Closing, the
Company shall deliver to each Purchaser stock certificates evidencing the
Purchased Equity to be purchased by such Purchaser, registered in the
Purchaser's or its nominee's name, upon payment of the purchase price thereof by
wire transfer of immediately available funds in the amount set forth opposite
such Purchaser's name on the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto. Upon
payment of the aggregate amount set forth on the Schedule of Purchasers, the
Restructuring

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Investment will automatically be reduced dollar for dollar by the aggregate
amount of the Equity Investment and the Purchasers will only be obligated to
fund the Restructuring Investment (as previously reduced by the April Stock
Purchase Agreement, the May Stock Purchase Agreement, the June Stock Purchase
Agreement and the transactions described in the last recital of this Agreement)
as it has been reduced by this Section 1C.

     Section 2. Conditions of the Purchasers' Obligation at the Closing. The
obligations of the Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Purchased Equity at
the Closing is subject to the satisfaction as of the Closing of the following
conditions:

     2A. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
contained in Section 5 hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects
at and as of the Closing as though then made.

     2B. Closing Documents. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser
all of the following documents:

          (1) certified copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Company's
     board of directors authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of
     this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Purchased Equity and the
     consummation of all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
     "Transactions");

          (2) certified copies of the Fifth Charter and Bylaws, each as in
     effect at the Closing;

          (3) certificates evidencing the Purchased Equity, issued in the
     Purchasers' respective names; and

          (4) such other documents relating to the Transactions as the
     Purchasers or their special counsel may reasonably request.

     2C. Proceedings. All corporate and other proceedings taken or required to
be taken by the Company in connection with the Transactions to be consummated at
or prior to the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Purchasers.

     2D. Compliance with Applicable Laws. The purchase of the Purchased Equity
by the Purchasers hereunder shall not be prohibited by any applicable law or
governmental rule or regulation.

     2E. Waiver. Any condition specified in this Section 2 may be waived if
consented to by the Purchasers.

     Section 3. Conditions of the Company's Obligation at the Closing. The
obligations of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby is
subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:

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     3A. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
contained in Section 6 hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects
at and as of the Closing as though then made.

     3B. No Action. No action or proceeding before any court or government body
will be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened which, in the
reasonable judgment of the Company, makes it inadvisable or undesirable to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by reason of the
probability that the action or proceeding will result in a judgment, decree or
order that would prevent the carrying out of this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby, declare unlawful the transactions contemplated
hereby or cause such transactions to be rescinded.

     Section 4. Transfer of Restricted Securities.

     4A. Opinion Delivery. In connection with the transfer of any shares of
Restricted Stock, upon the request of the Company, the holder thereof shall
deliver written notice to the Company describing in reasonable detail the
transfer or proposed transfer, together with an opinion of Kirkland & Ellis or
other counsel which (to the Company's reasonable satisfaction) is knowledgeable
in securities law matters to the effect that such transfer of shares of
Restricted Stock may be effected without registration of such shares under the
Securities Act. In addition, if the holder of the shares of Restricted Stock
delivers to the Company an opinion of Kirkland & Ellis or such other counsel
that no subsequent transfer of such shares shall require registration under the
Securities Act, the Company shall promptly upon such contemplated transfer
deliver new certificates for such shares which do not bear the Securities Act
legend set forth in Section 4B. If the Company is not required to deliver new
certificates for such shares not bearing such legend, the holder thereof shall
not transfer the same until the prospective transferee has confirmed to the
Company in writing its agreement to be bound by the conditions contained in this
Section 4.

     4B. Legend. Each certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock shall
be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

         "The securities represented by this certificate were originally issued
         on _________ __, 2002, and have not been registered under the
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any applicable state securities
         laws. The transfer of the securities represented by this certificate is
         subject to the conditions specified in a Stock Purchase Agreement dated
         as of _________ __, 2002 and an Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of
         April 5, 2000 as amended and modified from time to time, between the
         issuer (the "Company") and certain investors, and the Company reserves
         the right to refuse the transfer of such securities until such
         conditions have been fulfilled with respect to such transfer. A copy of
         such conditions shall be furnished by the Company to the holder hereof
         upon written request and without charge."

     4C. Legend Removal. If any shares of Restricted Stock become eligible for
sale pursuant to Rule 144(k), the Company shall, upon the written request of the
holder of such Restricted

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Securities, remove the legend set forth in Section 4B from the certificates for
such Restricted Securities.

     Section 5. Representations and Warranties of the Company. As a material
inducement to the Purchasers to enter into this Agreement and purchase the
Purchased Equity, the Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser
as of date hereof as follows:

     5A. Organization, Corporate Power and Licenses. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Delaware and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the
failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition, operating results, assets, operations or
business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. The
Company possesses all requisite corporate power and authority and all material
licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to own and operate its
properties, to carry on its businesses as now conducted and presently proposed
to be conducted and to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(including, without limitation, the issuance of the Purchased Equity hereunder).
The copies of the Company's Fifth Charter and Bylaws which have been furnished
to the Purchasers reflect all amendments made thereto at any time prior to the
date of this Agreement and are correct and complete.

     5B. Capital Stock and Related Matters.

          (1) Immediately prior to the Closing, the authorized capital stock of
     the Company shall consist of (a) 100,000,000.00 shares of Common Stock, of
     which 2,361,326.16 shares shall be issued and outstanding; (b) 400,000.00
     shares of Series A Preferred, of which 329,127.50 shares shall be issued
     and outstanding, (c) 142,500.00 shares of Series B Preferred, of which
     107,880.57 shares shall be issued and outstanding, (d) 7,500.00 shares of
     Series C Preferred, of which 5,677.92 shares shall be issued and
     outstanding, (e) 100,000 shares of Series D Preferred, none of which shall
     be issued and outstanding, (f) 30,000 shares of Series E Preferred, none of
     which shall be issued and outstanding and (g) 30,000 shares of Series E-1
     Preferred, none of which shall be issued and outstanding. The attached
     Capitalization Schedule sets forth the ownership of the Company immediately
     prior to the Closing. As of the Closing, the Company shall not have
     outstanding (or any commitments to issue) any stock or securities
     convertible or exchangeable for any shares of its capital stock or
     containing any profit participation features, nor shall it have outstanding
     any rights or options to subscribe for or to purchase its capital stock or
     any stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for its capital
     stock or any stock appreciation rights or phantom stock plans, except as
     set forth on the attached Capitalization Schedule or as contemplated by
     this Agreement or the Exchange Offer. As of the Closing, the Company shall
     not be subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or
     otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock or any
     warrants, options or other rights to acquire its capital stock, except
     pursuant to the Executive Stock Agreements and the Investor Rights
     Agreement or as contemplated by this Agreement or the Exchange Offer. All
     of the outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock are, and as of the
     Closing shall be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

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          (2) There are no statutory or, to the Company's actual knowledge,
     contractual stockholders preemptive rights or rights of refusal with
     respect to the issuance of the Purchased Equity hereunder or any other
     capital stock or other securities of the Company, except as set forth in
     the Investor Rights Agreement. Based upon the representations and
     warranties of the Purchasers set forth herein, and to the Company's
     knowledge, the Company has not violated any applicable federal or state
     securities laws in connection with the offer, sale or issuance of any of
     its capital stock or other securities, and the offer, sale and issuance of
     the Purchased Equity hereunder do not require registration under the
     Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws. To the Company's
     actual knowledge, there are no agreements between the Company's
     stockholders with respect to the voting or transfer of the Company's
     capital stock or with respect to any other aspect of the Company's affairs,
     except for the Investor Rights Agreement and Executive Stock Agreements.
     The Company has not granted any registration rights other than under the
     Investor Rights Agreement.

     5C. Authorization; No Breach. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement (including the issuance and delivery of the Purchased Equity
hereunder) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company's board of
directors. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms. The execution and delivery by
the Company of this Agreement, the offering, sale and issuance of the Purchased
Equity hereunder and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms
hereof and thereof by the Company, do not and shall not (i) conflict with or
result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a
default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest,
charge or encumbrance upon the Company's capital stock or assets pursuant to,
(iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate or accelerate any
obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any
authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice or
declaration to, or filing with, any court or administrative or governmental body
or agency or other Person pursuant to, the Fifth Charter or Bylaws of the
Company, or any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is
subject, or any agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the
Company is subject.

     5D. Litigation, etc. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders,
investigations or claims pending or, to the Company's actual knowledge,
threatened against the Company or pending or threatened by the Company against
any third party, at law or in equity, or before or by any governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality (including any
actions, suits, proceedings or investigations with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement) or otherwise.

     5E. Brokerage. There are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders' fees
or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement binding upon the Company.

     5F. Governmental Consent, etc. To the actual knowledge of the Company: (i)
no permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration to or filing
with, any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, or the consummation
by the Company of the Transactions and (ii) no permit, consent,

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approval or authorization of, or declaration to or filing with, any governmental
authority was required in connection with the formation of the Company, other
than filing with the Delaware Secretary of State.

     5G. Investment Company. The Company is not an "investment company" as
defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     Section 6. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. As a material
inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to sell the Purchased
Equity hereunder, each Purchaser represents and warrants, severally and not
jointly, to the Company as of the date hereof as follows:

     6A. Investment Representations.

          (1) Such Purchaser is acquiring the Restricted Stock purchased
     hereunder for its own account with the present intention of holding such
     securities for purposes of investment, has no intention of selling such
     securities in a public distribution in violation of the federal securities
     laws or any applicable state securities laws, was not organized or
     reorganized for the purpose of purchasing the Restricted Stock purchased
     hereunder, and conducts other business or holds other investments; provided
     that nothing contained herein shall prevent such Purchaser and subsequent
     holders of Restricted Stock from transferring such securities in compliance
     with the provisions of Section 4 hereof and the Investor Rights Agreement.

          (2) Such Purchaser is an "accredited investor" (as defined under
     Regulation D under the Securities Act), is sophisticated in financial
     matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in
     the Purchased Equity.

          (3) Such Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of its investment
     in the Purchased Equity for an indefinite period of time because the
     Purchased Equity has not been registered under the Securities Act and,
     therefore, cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the 1933 Act
     or an exemption from such registration is available.

          (4) Such Purchaser has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive
     answers concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the
     Purchased Equity and has had full access to such other information
     concerning the Company as it has requested.

          (5) Such Purchaser is a resident of the state indicated in its address
     as set forth on the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto.

     6B. No Breach. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Purchaser does not
and shall not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of any agreement,
contract or instrument to which such Purchaser is a party or any judgment, order
or decree to which such Purchaser is subject.

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     6C. Organization and Limited Partnership Power. Such Purchaser is a limited
partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of its formation. Such Purchaser possesses all requisite limited
partnership power and authority to carry out the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

     6D. Brokerage. There are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders' fees
or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement binding upon such Purchaser.

     Section 7. Definitions.

     7A. Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
have the meanings set forth below:

     "Common Stock" means the Company's Common Stock, par value $.001 per share.

     "Executive Stock Agreements" means the Executive Stock Agreements entered
into by the Company from time to time with certain of its executives.

     "Investor Rights Agreement" means the that certain agreement dated as of
April 5, 2000, as amended, by and among the Company and its stockholders.

     "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited
liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint
venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Restricted Stock" means (i) the Purchased Equity issued hereunder, and
(ii) any preferred stock issued with respect to the Purchased Equity referred to
in clause (i) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection
with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization. As to any particular shares of Restricted Stock, such shares
shall cease to be Restricted Stock when they have (a) been effectively
registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the
registration statement covering them, (b) been distributed to the public through
a broker, dealer or market maker pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision
then in force) under the Securities Act or become eligible for sale pursuant to
Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act or
(c) been otherwise transferred and new certificates for them not bearing the
Securities Act legend set forth in Section 4B have been delivered by the
Company. Whenever any particular securities cease to be Restricted Stock, the
holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from the Company, without expense,
new shares of like tenor not bearing a Securities Act legend of the character
set forth in Section 4B.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
similar federal law then in force.

     "Securities and Exchange Commission" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and includes any governmental body or agency succeeding to the
functions thereof.

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     "Securities Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or any similar federal law then in force.

     "Series A Preferred" means the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share.

     "Series D Preferred" means the Company's Series D Redeemable Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share.

     "Series E Preferred" means the Company's Series E Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share.

     "Series E-1 Preferred" means the Company's Series E-1 Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share.

     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which
(i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the
election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited
liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority
of the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a
Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a
limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if
such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability
company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or
shall be or control any managing director or general partner of such limited
liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

     Section 8. Right to Exchange Purchased Equity.

     8A. Exchange of Purchased Equity. Concurrently with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer, the Purchasers shall exchange
all, but not less than all, of the Purchased Equity for (i) shares of Series D
Preferred (the "Exchange Equity") and (ii) a proportionate amount of the Equity
Sponsor Warrants (as defined in the Exchange Offer). The numbers of shares of
Exchange Equity that the Purchasers shall receive in exchange for the Purchased
Equity shall be the number of shares of Exchange Equity that have an aggregate
liquidation value equal to the aggregate liquidation value of the Purchased
Equity plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon.

     8B. Additional Actions. The Company shall take all actions necessary
(including executing all necessary agreements and instruments and obtaining all
necessary third party and stockholder consents) in order to effect promptly any
exchange of securities requested by the Purchasers pursuant to this Section 8.
The Purchased Equity delivered by the Purchasers in any

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exchange pursuant to this Section 8 will be deemed to have cash value equal to
the aggregate purchase price paid by the Purchasers for such Purchased Equity
plus the aggregate amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon through
the date of such exchange.

     Section 9. Miscellaneous.

     9A. Expenses. The Company shall pay to the Purchasers, and hold the
Purchasers harmless against liability for the payment of, (i) the reasonable
fees and expenses of its special counsel arising in connection with the
negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (excluding the transactions
contemplated by Section 8), which shall be payable at the Closing, (ii) the
reasonable fees and expenses of its special counsel arising in connection with
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by Section 8 of this
Agreement, which shall be payable upon consummation of such transactions, (iii)
the fees and expenses incurred with respect to any amendments or waivers
(whether or not the same become effective) under or in respect of this Agreement
or the agreements contemplated hereby (including any agreements under or in
respect of Section 8 of this Agreement) and (iv) the reasonable fees and
expenses incurred with respect to the enforcement of the rights granted under
this Agreement or the agreements contemplated hereby (including any agreements
under or in respect of Section 8 of this Agreement).

     9B. Indemnification. The Company hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Purchasers, their respective officers, directors,
stockholders, partners, affiliates, successors, assigns, agents and other
representatives, from and against any and all damages, losses, claims,
liabilities, deficiencies, costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees), resulting from any material breach of any of the
representations, warranties or covenants of the Company under this Agreement.

     9C. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and
warranties contained herein or made in writing by any party in connection
herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, regardless of any
investigation made by the Purchasers or on their behalf, through the first
anniversary of the Closing; provided, however, that the representations and
warranties contained in Section 5B, Section 5C and Section 5E hereof shall
survive the Closing for the applicable statute of limitations, giving effect to
any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof.

     9D. Remedies. The Purchasers shall have all rights and remedies set forth
in this Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement, the Fifth Charter and all
rights and remedies which the Purchasers have been granted at any time under any
other agreement or contract and all of the rights which the Purchasers have
under any law. The Purchasers shall be entitled to enforce such rights
specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by
reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all
other rights granted by law.

     9E. Consent to Amendments. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
the provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the Company may take any
action herein

                                       10

<PAGE>

prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it,
only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the Purchasers.

     9F. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any
of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not. In
addition, and whether or not any express assignment has been made, the
provisions of this Agreement which are for the Purchasers' benefit as a
purchaser or holder of any class of the Company's preferred stock are also for
the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent holder of such preferred
stock.

     9G. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall
be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid
under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of
such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this
Agreement.

     9H. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing herein expressed or implied is
intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any Person other than
the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, any
rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

     9I. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or
more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than
one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the
same Agreement.

     9J. Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive
part of this Agreement. The use of the word "including" in this Agreement shall
be by way of example rather than by limitation.

     9K. Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction,
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and
schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or
conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any
other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of New York. In furtherance of the foregoing,
the internal law of the State of New York shall control the interpretation and
construction of this Agreement (and all schedules and exhibits hereto), even
though under that jurisdiction's choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the
substantive law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.

     9L. Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or
delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered personally to
the recipient, (ii) one business day after

                                       11

<PAGE>

being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges
prepaid), (iii) upon machine-generated acknowledgment of receipt after
transmittal by facsimile if so acknowledged to have been received before 5:00
p.m. on a business day at the location of receipt and otherwise on the next
following business day, provided that such notice, demand or other communication
is also deposited within 24 hours thereafter with a reputable overnight courier
service (charges prepaid) for delivery to the same Person, or (iv) 5 days after
being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested and postage prepaid. Such notices, demands and other communications
shall be sent to the Purchasers at the addresses and telecopier numbers
indicated on the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto, and to the Company at
the following address and telecopier number:

                  Ziff Davis Holdings Inc.
                  28 East 28th Street
                  New York, NY  10016
                  Telecopy: (212) 503-3550
                  Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

                  with a copy to:

                  Ziff Davis Holdings Inc.
                  28 East 28th Street
                  New York, NY  10016
                  Telecopy: (212) 503-3560
                  Attention:  General Counsel

or to such other address and telecopier number or to the attention of such other
person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the
sending party.

     9M. No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in
the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed
as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of
proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship
of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

                                      * * *

                                       12

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the
date first written above.

                            ZIFF DAVIS HOLDINGS INC.

                            By:   /s/ Bart W. Catalane
                               -----------------------------------
                            Its:  Chief Operating Officer and
                                  Chief Financial Officer

                            WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III, L.P.
                            WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-A, L.P.
                            WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-B, L.P.
                            WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III-C, L.P.

                            By:   Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.P.
                            Its: General Partner

                            By:   Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C.
                            Its: General Partner

                            By: /s/ Avy H. Stein
                               -----------------------------------
                            Its:  Member

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                           FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
                   CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY

See attached.

<PAGE>

                             SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   HOLDER                    NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF      PURCHASE
                                             SHARES OF     SHARES OF       PRICE TO
                                              SERIES B      SERIES C     BE PAID BY
                                             PREFERRED     PREFERRED       HOLDER
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>         <C>
Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P.             2,666.316    140.3324    $2,806,648.00
c/o Willis Stein & Partners
227 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60606
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-A, L.P.      80.28168    4.225352       $84,507.00
c/o Willis Stein & Partners
227 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60606
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-B, L.P.      80.28168    4.225352       $84,507.00
c/o Willis Stein & Partners
227 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60606
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willis Stein & Partners III-C, L.P.            23.12114    1.216902       $24,338.00
c/o Willis Stein & Partners
227 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60606
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                          2,850.00      150.00    $3,000,000.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE><PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                            ZIFF DAVIS HOLDINGS INC.

                                       and

                                 THE PURCHASERS

                         Set forth on Schedule A hereto
                                   -------------

                                WARRANT AGREEMENT

                           Dated as of August 12, 2002

<PAGE>

                                WARRANT AGREEMENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1.  Certain Definitions.............................................   1
SECTION 2.  Closing.........................................................   3
   2.1.     Closing. .......................................................   3
   2.2.     Transactions on Exchange Offer Closing Date. ...................   3
SECTION 3.  Representations and Warranties of the Company. .................   3
   3.1.     Good Standing. .................................................   3
   3.2.     Authority Relative to this Agreement. ..........................   3
   3.3.     No Conflict or Violation. ......................................   4
   3.4.     Validity of Issuance. ..........................................   4
SECTION 4.  Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. ..............   4
   4.1.     Investment Intention. ..........................................   4
   4.2.     Legends. .......................................................   4
   4.3.     Additional Investment Representations. .........................   5
SECTION 5.  Terms and Exercise of Warrants; Representations Upon Exercise...   5
SECTION 6.  Payment of Taxes ...............................................   7
SECTION 7.  Reservation of Warrant Shares ..................................   8
SECTION 8.  Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Warrant Shares
            Issuable .......................................................   8
SECTION 9.  Statement on Warrants ..........................................  11
SECTION 10. Fractional Interests ...........................................  11
SECTION 11. When Adjustment Not Required ...................................  11
SECTION 12. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed, Defaced or Mutilated Warrant
            Certificates ...................................................  11
SECTION 13. Escrow of Warrant Stock ........................................  12
SECTION 14. Challenge to Good Faith Determination ..........................  12
SECTION 15. Notices to Warrant Holders .....................................  12
SECTION 16. Notices to the Company and Purchasers ..........................  12
SECTION 17. Amendment and Waiver ...........................................  14

                                       i

<PAGE>

SECTION 18. Severability ...................................................  14
SECTION 19. Successors .....................................................  14
SECTION 20. Termination  ...................................................  14
SECTION 21. GOVERNING LAW ..................................................  14
SECTION 22. Benefits of This Agreement. ....................................  14
SECTION 23. Entire Agreement ...............................................  15
SECTION 24. Counterparts ...................................................  15

                                       ii

<PAGE>

                                WARRANT AGREEMENT

     THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT dated as of August 12, 2002 (this "Agreement") by
and among the Persons set forth on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the
"Purchasers"), and Ziff Davis Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company").

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Exchange Offer (as defined below), the Company and
Ziff Davis Media Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Company ("Ziff Media"), have offered to exchange all of Ziff Media's
outstanding 12% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 (the "Notes") for a
combination of (i) $22.6 million in cash (except for the Willis Stein Investors
(as defined below) who will receive 7,368.6 shares of Series D Preferred (as
defined below) as partial consideration for exchanging their Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer), (ii) new senior subordinated compounding notes of Ziff
Media in the aggregate principal amount of $95.0 million, (iii) shares of a new
series E redeemable preferred stock of the Company having a liquidation
preference of $30.0 million; and (iv) 5.5 million warrants to purchase shares of
the Company's common stock (representing an aggregate of 10% of the common
equity of the Company as of the Exchange Offer Closing Date (as defined below)
(before giving effect to any common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to any
new management incentive plans).

     WHEREAS, the Purchasers have agreed to make an equity investment in the
Company in exchange for (i) shares of Series D Preferred and (ii) warrants with
an exercise price of $.001 per share to purchase shares of the Company's common
stock (representing an aggregate of approximately 70% of the fully diluted
common stock of the Company as of the Exchange Offer Closing Date (before giving
effect to any common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to any new management
incentive plans)).

     WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, on the Exchange Offer Closing Date,
the Company will issue to the Purchasers such warrants.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

SECTION 1.   Certain Definitions. Unless otherwise defined, capitalized terms
             -------------------
used herein have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.
                                                ---------

     "Affiliate" of any Person means any Person directly or indirectly
      ---------
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect
to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such
Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

     "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
      ------------
that is not a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or banking institutions
in the City of New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law, executive
order or regulation to close.

<PAGE>

     "Capital Stock" means any and all shares, interests, participations,
      -------------
warrants, options, rights or other equivalents of or interests in (however
designated and whether voting or non-voting) corporate stock of a corporation
and any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a
corporation), in each case whether outstanding as of the date hereof or
thereafter issued, including any preferred stock.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
      ----------

     "Common Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that does
      ------------
not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of such Person, to shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

     "Convertible Securities" mean any shares of stock or securities which are
      ----------------------
convertible or exchangeable, either immediately or upon the occurrence of a
specified date or a specified event, for shares of Common Stock.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or
      ------------
any successor act), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     "Exchange Offer" means the offer of the Company and Ziff Media to exchange
      --------------
the Note for a combination of cash and securities as described more fully in the
Offering Memorandum, Solicitation of Releases, Consents and Acceptances and
Disclosure Statement dated June 17, 2002.

     "Exchange Offer Closing Date" means August 12, 2002.
      ---------------------------

     "Exercise Price" means the purchase price per share of Common Stock to be
      --------------
paid upon the exercise of each Warrant in accordance with the terms hereof,
which price shall initially be $0.001 per share, subject to adjustment from time
to time pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

     "Expiration Date" means the date that is the tenth anniversary of the
      ---------------
Exchange Offer Closing Date.

     "Expiration Time" means the last time tenders or exchanges may be made
      ---------------
pursuant to a tender or exchange offer.

     "Holder" means the holder of a Warrant.
      -----

     "Investor Rights Agreement" means the Investor Rights Agreement of the
      -------------------------
Company dated April 5, 2000.

     "Majority Holders" means the Holders of Warrants exercisable for in excess
      ----------------
of 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Company's Common Stock then issuable
upon exercise of all Warrants, whether or not then exercisable.

                                       2

<PAGE>

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
      ------
company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any
other entity.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
      --------------

     "Series D Preferred" means the Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock, $.01
      ------------------
par value per share, of the Company.

     "Time of Determination" has the meaning specified in Section 7(g).
      ---------------------

     "Warrant Certificates" means the certificates evidencing the Warrants to be
      --------------------
delivered pursuant to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto.

     "Warrants" shall mean the warrants issued pursuant to this Agreement and
      --------
all warrants issued upon transfer, division or combination of, or in
substitution for, any thereof. All Warrants shall at all times be identical as
to terms and conditions and date.

     "Warrant Shares" means the fully paid and non-assessable shares of the
      --------------
Company's Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a Warrant.

     "Willis Stein Investors" means, collectively, Willis Stein & Partners III,
      ----------------------
L.P., Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-A, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners Dutch
III-B, L.P. and Willis Stein & Partners III-C, L.P.

     SECTION 2. Closing.
                -------

     2.1. Closing. The closing of the issuance of the Warrants to the Purchasers
          -------
(the "Closing") shall take place on the Exchange Offer Closing Date
simultaneously with the closing of the Exchange Offer.

     2.2. Transactions on Exchange Offer Closing Date. At the Closing, the
          -------------------------------------------
Company shall deliver to each Purchaser the number of Warrants set forth
opposite such Purchaser's name on Schedule A attached hereto. Each Warrant shall
represent the right to purchase one share of the Company's Common Stock.

     SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
                ---------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows:

     3.1. Good Standing. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
          -------------
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     3.2. Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Company has all requisite
          ------------------------------------
corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to
issue and deliver the Warrants to the Purchasers. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this Agreement, including the issuance and
delivery of the Warrants to the Purchasers, have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. This Agreement

                                       3

<PAGE>

has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and is a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company and is enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms.

     3.3. No Conflict or Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
          ------------------------
by the Company, the performance by the Company of its terms and the issuance and
delivery of the Warrants to the Purchasers will not on the Exchange Offer
Closing Date conflict with or result in a violation of (i) the charter or bylaws
of the Company as in effect on the Exchange Offer Closing Date or (ii) any
agreement, instrument, law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment or decree to
which the Company is a party or is subject, except for such conflicts and
violations which will not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on
the business, operations, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company and will not deprive the Purchasers of any material benefit under this
Agreement.

     3.4. Validity of Issuance. The Warrants to be issued to the Purchasers
          --------------------
pursuant to this Agreement and the Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of the
Warrants will, when issued, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable (assuming in the case of the Warrant Shares, payment of the
exercise price is made in accordance with the terms of the Warrants).

     SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. The Purchasers
                ------------------------------------------------
each hereby represent and warrant, severally and not jointly, to the Company as
follows:

     4.1. Investment Intention. Each Purchaser is acquiring its Warrant, and if
          --------------------
the Warrant is exercised, the Warrant Shares, for investment solely for its own
account and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the
distribution or other disposition thereof. Such Purchaser agrees and
acknowledges that it will not, directly or indirectly, offer, transfer or sell
its Warrant or any Warrant Shares, or solicit any offers to purchase or acquire
the Warrant or any Warrant Shares, unless the transfer or sale is (i) pursuant
to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "Securities Act") and has
                                                        --------------
been registered under any applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws or (ii)
pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and
applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws.

     4.2. Legends. Each Purchaser acknowledges that each Warrant and each
          -------
Warrant Share will contain a legend substantially to the following effect:

     "THIS WARRANT AND ANY SHARES OF STOCK PURCHASABLE UPON ITS EXERCISE HAVE
     NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
     "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE'S SECURITIES LAWS. THE TRANSFER OF THE
     SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
     SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 12, 2002, AMONG ZIFF
     DAVIS HOLDINGS INC. (THE "COMPANY") AND THE PURCHASERS LISTED THEREON. THE
     COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES UNTIL
     SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED WITH

                                       4

<PAGE>

     RESPECT TO SUCH TRANSFER. A COPY OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT SHALL BE
     FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND
     WITHOUT CHARGE."

     Upon reasonable request of the Company, in connection with any transfer of
the Warrant or the Warrant Shares (other than a transfer pursuant to a public
offering registered under the Securities Act, pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A
promulgated under the Securities Act (or any similar rules then in effect) or to
an Affiliate of the Purchasers), the applicable Purchasers will deliver, if
requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel knowledgeable in securities laws
reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such transfer may be
effected without registration under the Securities Act.

     In addition, each certificate evidencing Warrant Shares and each
certificate issued in exchange for or upon the transfer of any Warrant Shares
(if such shares remain Stockholder Shares (as defined in the Investor Rights
Agreement) after such transfer) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a
legend in substantially the following form:

     THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS
     CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TRANSFER AND VOTING RESTRICTIONS
     PURSUANT TO A INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 5, 2000, AS MAY
     BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE
     "COMPANY") AND CERTAIN OF THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS. A COPY OF SUCH
     INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE COMPANY
     TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.

The Company shall imprint such legend on certificates evidencing Stockholder
Shares (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement). The legend set forth above
shall be removed from the certificates evidencing any shares which cease to be
Stockholder Shares (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) in accordance
with the Investor Rights Agreement.

     4.3. Additional Investment Representations. Each Purchaser has such
          -------------------------------------
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of such investment, is able to incur a
complete loss of such investment and to bear the economic risk of such
investment for an indefinite period of time. Each of the Purchasers are
"accredited investors" as that term is defined in Regulation D under the
Securities Act.

     SECTION 5. Terms and Exercise of Warrants; Representations Upon Exercise.
                -------------------------------------------------------------

     5.1. Terms and Exercise of Warrants. Each Warrant Certificate shall
          ------------------------------
evidence the right, subject to the provisions contained herein and therein, to
purchase from the Company (and the Company shall issue and sell to such Holder)
one (1) fully paid and non-assessable share of the Company's Common Stock.

                                       5

<PAGE>

     Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder shall have the right to
receive from the Company the number of fully paid and non-assessable Warrant
Shares which the Holder may at the time be entitled to receive on exercise of
such Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price then in effect for such Warrant
Shares. No payments or adjustments shall be made on account of any dividends on
the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

     A Warrant may be exercised commencing 9:00 a.m. EST on the date hereof
until 5:00 p.m. EST on the Expiration Date upon surrender to the Company at its
principal place of business of the Warrant Certificates to be exercised with the
form of election to purchase on the reverse thereof duly filled in and signed,
and upon payment to the Company for the account of Company of the Exercise
Price, as adjusted as herein provided, for each of the Warrant Shares in respect
of which such Warrant is then exercised. Each Warrant not exercised prior to
5:00 p.m. EST on the Expiration Date shall become void and all rights thereunder
and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease as of such
time.

     Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be made, at the option of the
Holder, (i) by wire transfer or by certified or official bank check payable to
the order of the Company, in each case, in immediately available funds, (ii) by
"Warrant Cashless Exercise," which shall mean the surrender (which surrender
shall be evidenced by cancellation of the number of Warrants represented by any
Warrant Certificate presented in connection with a Warrant Cashless Exercise) of
a Warrant or Warrants (represented by one or more Warrant Certificates), and
without payment of the Exercise Price in cash, in return for such number of
Warrant Shares equal to the product of (1) the number of Warrant Shares for
which such Warrant is exercisable with payment in cash of the aggregate Exercise
Price as of the date of exercise and (2) the Cashless Exercise Ratio (as defined
below), (iii) by "Other Security Cashless Exercise," which shall mean the
surrender of any securities of the Company (other than the Company's Common
Stock or Warrants), and without payment of the Exercise Price in cash, in an
amount equal to (a) in the case where the securities so surrendered are shares
of the Company's preferred stock, the aggregate liquidation preference of the
preferred stock so surrendered plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon and
(b) in the case where the securities so surrendered are certificates
representing subordinated debt of the Company, the aggregate principal amount of
the subordinated debt so surrendered plus all accrued and unpaid interest
thereon or (iv) with any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii); provided that the
Warrant Cashless Exercise cannot be used unless and until the Company's Common
Stock is listed or quoted on a recognized securities exchange or on the Nasdaq
National Market ("NASDAQ") or traded over-the-counter (other than on the
NASDAQ).

     For purposes of this Agreement, the "Cashless Exercise Ratio" shall equal a
fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of the Current Market Price per
share of the Common Stock on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price per
share as of the date of exercise, and the denominator of which is the Current
Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the date of exercise. Upon
surrender of a Warrant Certificate representing more than one Warrant in
connection with the Holder's option to elect a Warrant Cashless Exercise, the
number of Warrant Shares deliverable upon a Warrant Cashless Exercise shall be
equal to the Cashless Exercise Ratio multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares
purchasable under the Warrant or, if only a portion of the Warrant is being
exercised, the portion of the Warrant being exercised (without giving effect to
the Warrant Cashless Exercise option). All provisions of this

                                       6

<PAGE>

Agreement shall be applicable with respect to an exercise of a Warrant
Certificate pursuant to a Warrant Cashless Exercise for less than the full
number of Warrants represented thereby. If, at the time of the exercise of any
Warrant, the Company does not have an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of the offer and sale of the Warrant Shares by the Company to the
Holder upon the exercise thereof, the Company may, in its sole discretion, elect
to require that the Holder effect the exercise of the Warrant solely pursuant to
the Warrant Cashless Exercise option and may also amend the Warrants to
eliminate the requirement for payment of the Exercise Price with respect to the
Warrant Cashless Exercise option.

     For purposes of this Agreement, the "Current Market Price" per share of
Common Stock on any date shall be (i) if the Common Stock is listed or quoted on
a recognized securities exchange or on the NASDAQ, the average of the last sales
prices (or, if no sale occurred on such date, at the last "bid" price thereon)
for the ten consecutive trading days before such date or (ii) if the Common
Stock is traded over-the-counter (other than on the NASDAQ), the average of the
last "bid" prices for the ten consecutive trading days before such date.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 4 hereof, upon surrender of Warrants
and payment of the Exercise Price or exercise through the Warrant Cashless
Exercise or Other Security Cashless Exercise option as provided above, the
Company shall transfer to the Holder of such Warrant Certificate appropriate
evidence of ownership of any Warrant Shares or other securities or property
(including any money) to which the Holder is entitled, registered or otherwise
placed in, or payable to the order of, such name or names as may be directed in
writing by the Holder, and shall deliver such evidence of ownership and any
other securities or property (including any money) to the Person or Persons
entitled to receive the same. Any such evidence of ownership shall be deemed to
have been issued and any Person so designated to be named therein shall be
deemed to have become a holder of record of such Warrant Shares as of the date
of the surrender of such Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price.

     The Warrants shall be exercisable in full or from time to time in part and,
in the event that a certificate evidencing Warrants is exercised in respect of
fewer than all of the Warrant Shares issuable on such exercise at any time prior
to the date of expiration of the Warrants, a new certificate evidencing the
remaining Warrant or Warrants will be issued.

     5.2. Representations Upon Exercise. Upon exercise of the Warrants in
          -----------------------------
accordance with this Agreement, each Holder will be required to certify to the
Company that such Holder is an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in
Regulation D under the Securities Act. The Company reserves the right, and each
Holder hereby acknowledges the Company's reservation of such right, to refuse to
honor the exercise of any Warrants by a Holder that (i) is not an accredited
investor or (ii) fails to certify that such Holder is an accredited investor as
required by this Section 5.2.

     SECTION 6. Payment of Taxes. The Company will only pay all documentary
                ----------------
stamp taxes attributable to the initial issuance of the Warrants and the Warrant
Shares issuable upon the exercise of Warrants; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to pay any tax or taxes which may be payable in
respect of any transfer involved in the issue of any Warrant Certificates or any
certificates for Warrant Shares in a name other than that of the Holder of a
Warrant Certificate surrendered upon the exercise of a Warrant, and the Company

                                       7

<PAGE>

shall not be required to issue or deliver such Warrant Certificates unless or
until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to
the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction
of the Company that such tax has been paid.

     SECTION 7. Reservation of Warrant Shares. From the date hereof until the
                -----------------------------
Expiration Date, the Company will at all times reserve and keep available, free
from preemptive rights, out of the aggregate of its authorized but unissued
Common Stock or its authorized and issued Common Stock held in its treasury, for
the purpose of enabling it to satisfy any obligation to issue Warrant Shares
upon exercise of Warrants, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which
may then be deliverable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants.

     Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment pursuant to
Section 7 hereof to reduce the Exercise Price below the then par value (if any)
of the Warrant Shares, the Company will take any corporate action which may, in
the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly
and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable Warrant Shares at the Exercise
Price as so adjusted.

     The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon
exercise of Warrants will, upon issue and payment of the Exercise Price
therefor, be duly and validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, free of
preemptive rights and free from all taxes, liens, charges and security interests
with respect to the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer
occurring contemporaneously or as otherwise specified herein).

     SECTION 8. Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Warrant Shares
                ---------------------------------------------------------
Issuable. The number and kind of shares purchasable upon the exercise of
--------
Warrants and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
as follows:

     (a) Dividends, Stock Splits, Combinations, etc. From the date hereof until
         ------------------------------------------
the Expiration Date, in case the Company shall hereafter (i) pay a dividend or
make a distribution on its Common Stock in shares of its Capital Stock, (ii)
subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) combine its
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Exercise
Price and the number and kind of shares purchasable upon the exercise of each
Warrant in effect immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the
Holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised in full shall be entitled to receive
upon payment of the same aggregate exercise price as prior to such adjustment
the number of shares of Capital Stock of the Company which such Holder would
have owned immediately following such action had such Warrant been exercised
immediately prior thereto. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(a)
shall become effective immediately after the record date in the case of a
dividend and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the
case of a subdivision or combination. If, as a result of an adjustment made
pursuant to this Section 8(a), the Holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised
shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes of Capital Stock
of the Company, the board of directors of the Company (whose determination shall
be conclusive) shall determine the allocation of the adjusted Exercise Price
between or among shares of such classes of Capital Stock.

     (b) Reclassification, Combinations, Mergers, etc. From the date hereof
         --------------------------------------------
until the Expiration Date, in case of any reclassification or change of
outstanding shares of Common

                                       8

<PAGE>

Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (other than as set forth in Section
8(a) above and other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par
value, or from no par value to par value or as a result of a subdivision or
combination), or in case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or
into another corporation (other than a merger in which the Company is the
continuing corporation and which does not result in any reclassification or
change of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or other Capital Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (other than a change in par value, or
from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value or as a result
of a subdivision or combination)) or in case of any sale or conveyance to
another corporation of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
then, as a condition of such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
sale or conveyance, the Company or such a successor or purchasing corporation,
as the case may be, shall forthwith make lawful and adequate provision whereby
the Holder of such Warrant then outstanding shall have the right thereafter to
receive (and shall thereafter have the right only to receive) on exercise of
such Warrant the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of such Warrant immediately prior to such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and enter into a supplemental
warrant agreement so providing. Such provisions shall include provision for
adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the
adjustments provided for in this Section 8. If the issuer of securities
deliverable upon exercise of Warrants under the supplemental warrant agreement
is an Affiliate of the formed, surviving or transferee corporation, that issuer
shall join in the supplemental warrant agreement. The above provisions of this
paragraph (b) shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications and changes
of shares of Common Stock and to successive consolidations, mergers, sales or
conveyances.

     In case of any such reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation
or disposition of assets, the successor or acquiring corporation (if other than
the Company) shall expressly assume the due and punctual observance and
performance of each and every covenant and condition of this Warrant Agreement
to be performed and observed by the Company and all the obligations and
liabilities hereunder, subject to such modifications as may be deemed
appropriate (as determined by resolution of the board of directors of the
Company) in order to provide for adjustments of shares of the Common Stock for
which this Warrant is exercisable which shall be as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Section 8. For purposes of
this Section 8(b) "shares of stock and other securities" of a successor or
acquiring corporation shall include stock of such corporation of any class which
is not preferred as to dividends or assets over any other class of stock of such
corporation and which is not subject to redemption and shall also include any
evidences of indebtedness, shares of stock or other securities which are
convertible into or exchangeable for any such stock, either immediately or upon
the arrival of a specified date or the happening of a specified event and any
warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any such stock. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 8(b) shall similarly apply to successive
reorganizations, reclassifications, mergers, consolidations or disposition of
assets.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(b), in
connection with any merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation in which the consideration paid to holders of the Company's Common
Stock or other Capital Stock issuable

                                       9

<PAGE>

upon exercise of the Warrants consists solely of cash, the Company may, in its
discretion, (i) cancel any or all outstanding Warrants in consideration for
payment to the holders thereof of an amount equal to the portion of the
consideration that would have been payable to such holders pursuant to such
transaction if their Warrant had been fully exercised immediately prior to such
transaction, less the aggregate exercise price that would have been payable
therefor, or (ii) if the amount that would have been payable to the Warrant
Holders pursuant to such transaction if their Warrants had been fully exercised
immediately prior thereto would be equal to or less than the aggregate exercise
price that would have been payable therefor, cancel any or all such Warrants for
no consideration or payment of any kind. The foregoing provisions of this
Section 8(b) shall similarly apply to successive reorganizations,
reclassifications, mergers, consolidations or disposition of assets.

     (c) Deferral of Certain Adjustments. No adjustment to the Exercise Price
         -------------------------------
(including the related adjustment to the number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant) shall be required hereunder
unless such adjustment, together with other adjustments carried forward as
provided below, would result in an increase or decrease of at least one percent
(1%) of the Exercise Price; provided that any adjustments which by reason of
this Section 8 are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken
into account in any subsequent adjustment. No adjustment need be made for a
change in the par value of the Common Stock. All calculations under this Section
8 shall be made to the nearest 1/1,000 of one cent or to the nearest 1/1,000th
of a share, as the case may be.

     (d) Other Adjustments. In the event that at any time, as a result of an
         -----------------
adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8, the Holders shall become entitled to
receive any securities of the Company other than shares of Common Stock,
thereafter the number of such other securities so receivable upon exercise of
the Warrants and the Exercise Price applicable to such exercise shall be subject
to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Common Stock
contained in this Section 6, as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company.

                                       10

<PAGE>

     SECTION 9. Statement on Warrants. Irrespective of any adjustment in the
                ---------------------
number or kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants or the
Exercise Price, Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to
express the same number and kind of shares as are stated in the Warrants
initially issuable pursuant to this Agreement.

     SECTION 10. Fractional Interests. The Company shall not be required to
                 --------------------
issue fractional shares of Common Stock on the exercise of Warrants. If more
than one Warrant shall be presented for exercise in full at the same time by the
same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable
upon such exercise shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock acquirable on exercise of the Warrants so presented. If
any fraction of a share of Common Stock would, except for the provisions of this
Section, be issuable on the exercise of any Warrant (or specified portion
thereof), such fractional interest shall be rounded to the next highest whole
number in the case of fractional interests equal to or greater than 0.5 and to
the preceding whole number in the case of fractional interests less than 0.5.
The Holders, by their acceptance of the Warrant Certificates, expressly waive
any and all rights to receive any fraction of a share of Common Stock or a stock
certificate representing a fraction of a share of Common Stock.

     SECTION 11. When Adjustment Not Required. If the Company shall take a
                 ----------------------------
record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to
receive a dividend or distribution or subscription or purchase rights and shall,
thereafter and before the distribution to stockholders thereof, legally abandon
its plan to pay or deliver such dividend, distribution, subscription or purchase
rights, then thereafter no adjustment shall be required by reason of the taking
of such record and any such adjustment previously made in respect thereof shall
be rescinded and annulled.

     SECTION 12. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed, Defaced or Mutilated Warrant
                 -----------------------------------------------------
Certificates
------------

     Upon receipt by the Company (or any agent of the Company, if requested by
the Company) of evidence satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction,
defacement, or mutilation of any Warrant Certificate and of indemnity
satisfactory to them (which shall include the posting of an open-penalty bond)
and, in the case of mutilation or defacement, upon surrender thereof to the
Company for cancellation, then, in the absence of notice to the Company that
such Warrant Certificate has been acquired by a protected purchaser or holder in
due course (as such terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), the
Company shall execute and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of the lost,
stolen, destroyed, defaced or mutilated Warrant Certificate, a new Warrant
Certificate representing the same number of Warrants, bearing a number or other
distinguishing symbol not contemporaneously outstanding. Upon the issuance of
any new Warrant Certificate under this Section 12, the Company may require the
payment from the Holder of such Warrant Certificate of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax, stamp tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the
Registrar) in connection therewith. Every substitute Warrant Certificate
executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 12 in lieu of any lost, stolen,
destroyed, defaced or mutilated Warrant Certificate shall constitute an
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the lost,
stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by
anyone, and shall be entitled to the benefits of (but shall be subject to all
the limitations of rights set forth in) this Agreement equally and
proportionately with any

                                       11

<PAGE>

and all other Warrant Certificates duly executed and delivered hereunder. The
provisions of this Section 12 are exclusive with respect to the replacement of
lost, stolen, destroyed, defaced or mutilated Warrant Certificates and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies
notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary
with respect to the replacement of lost, stolen, destroyed, defaced or mutilated
Warrant Certificates.

     SECTION 13. Escrow of Warrant Stock. If after any property becomes
                 -----------------------
distributable pursuant to Section 8 by reason of the taking of any record of the
holders of Common Stock, but prior to the occurrence of the event for which such
record is taken, and the Holder exercises this Warrant, any additional shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise by reason of such adjustment shall be deemed
the last shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercised
(notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary herein) and such shares or
other property shall be held in escrow for the Holder by the Company to be
issued to the Holder upon and to the extent that the event actually takes place.
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary herein, if the event for
which such record was taken fails to occur or is rescinded, then such escrowed
shares shall be cancelled by the Company and escrowed property returned.

     SECTION 14. Challenge to Good Faith Determination. Whenever the board of
                 -------------------------------------
directors of the Company shall be required to make a determination in good faith
of the fair value of any item under Section 8, such determination may be
challenged in good faith by the Majority Holders, and any dispute shall be
resolved by an investment banking firm of national standing selected by the
Company. The fee of such investment banking firm shall be paid by the Company,
unless such fair market value as determined by the investment banking firm is
within 10% of the fair market value determined by the board of directors of the
Company, in which case the challenging Holders shall be jointly and severally
liable for such fee. The Company may require, as a condition to its obligation
to engage any such investment banking firm for such purposes, that the
challenging Holders shall have executed and delivered to the Company an
undertaking in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company acknowledging their
obligations pursuant to the preceding sentence.

     SECTION 15. Notices to Warrant Holders. Upon any adjustment of the Exercise
                 --------------------------
Price pursuant to Section 8, the Company shall promptly thereafter deliver to
the Holders a written notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such
adjustment and setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and
the facts upon which such calculations are based and setting forth the number of
Warrant Shares (or portion thereof) issuable after such adjustment in the
Exercise Price, upon exercise of a Warrant and payment of the adjusted Exercise
Price, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of the
matters set forth therein; provided, that the failure by the Company to provide
such notice shall not invalidate any corporate action taken by the Company. The
Company shall keep at its office copies of all such certificates and cause the
same to be available for inspection at said office during normal business hours
upon reasonable notice by any Holder or any prospective purchaser of a Warrant
designated by a Holder thereof.

     SECTION 16. Notices to the Company and Purchasers. All notices and other
                 -------------------------------------
communications provided for herein shall be dated and in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered, if delivered personally, sent
by registered or certified mail,

                                       12

<PAGE>

return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or sent via nationally recognized
overnight courier or via facsimile with confirmation of receipt and (ii) when
received if delivered otherwise, to the party to whom it is directed:

                  If to the Company:
                  -----------------

                  Ziff Davis Holdings Inc.
                  28 E. 28th Street
                  New York, NY 10016
                  Telecopy:     (212) 503-3550
                  Telephone:  (212) 503-3500
                  Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

                  with a copy to:

                  Ziff Davis Holdings Inc.
                  28 East 28th Street
                  New York, NY 10016
                  Facsimile: (212) 503-3560
                  Telephone: (212) 503-3561
                  Attention: General Counsel

                  If to a Purchaser:
                  -----------------

     The address set forth for such Purchaser on Schedule A or to the address
specified by such Purchaser in writing to the Company in connection with such
Purchaser's purchase of Series D Preferred.

                                       13

<PAGE>

     SECTION 17. Amendment and Waiver. Any term, covenant, agreement or
                 --------------------
condition in this Warrant may be amended, or compliance therewith may be waived
(either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), by a written instrument or written instruments executed by the
Company and the Required Holders; provided, however, that no such amendment or
waiver shall increase the Exercise Price, shorten the period during which the
Warrants may be exercised or modify any provision of this Section 18 without
consent of the holders of all Warrants then outstanding affected by such
amendment or waiver.

     SECTION 18. Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant
                 ------------
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant Agreement shall be
prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this
Warrant Agreement.

     SECTION 19. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement
                 ----------
by or for the benefit of the Company shall bind and inure to the
benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

     SECTION 20. Termination. This Agreement (other than the Company's
                  -----------
obligations with respect to Warrants previously exercised) shall
terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Expiration Date.

     SECTION 21. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH WARRANT CERTIFICATE
                 -------------
ISSUED HEREUNDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF SAID STATE. Service of process on the Company or Holder in any
action arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be effective if mailed
to such party in accordance with the procedures and requirements set forth in
Section 17. Nothing herein shall preclude any Holder or the Company from
bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction.

     SECTION 22. Benefits of This Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
                 --------------------------
construed to give to any Person or corporation other than the Company, the
Purchasers and the holders of the Warrant Certificates any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the
sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Purchasers and the holders of the
Warrant Certificates.

     Prior to the exercise of the Warrants and payment of the exercie price then
in effect, no Holder of a Warrant Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to any
rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to receive dividends or subscription rights, the right to vote, to consent, to
exercise any preemptive right, to receive any notice of meetings of stockholders
for the election of directors of the Company, to share in the assets of the
Company in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company's affairs or any other matter or to receive any notice of any
proceedings of the Company, except as may be specifically provided for herein.

                                       14

<PAGE>

     All rights of action in respect of this Agreement are vested in the Holders
of the Warrants, and any Holder of any Warrant, without the consent of the
Holder of any other Warrant, may, on such Holder's own behalf and for such
Holder's own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action
or proceeding against the Company suitable to enforce, or otherwise in respect
of, such Holder's rights hereunder, including the right to exercise, exchange or
surrender for purchase such Holder's Warrants in the manner provided in this
Agreement.

     SECTION 23. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as
                 ----------------
a final expression of their agreement, and is intended to be a complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein. Such agreements
supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.

     SECTION 24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
                 ------------
counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes
be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute
but one and the same instrument.

                            (Signature Page Follows)

                                       15

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Warrant Agreement
to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

                           ZIFF DAVIS HOLDINGS INC.

                           By: /s/ Bart W. Catalane
                               --------------------

                           Its:   Chief Operating Officer and
                                   Chief Financial Officer

                           PURCHASERS:

                           WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III, L.P.
                           WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH II A, L.P.
                           WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III B, L.P.
                           WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III B, L.P.
                           WILL STEIN & PARTNERS III C, L.P.

                           By:  Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.P.
                           Its:  General Partner

                           By:  Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C.
                           Its:  General Partner

                           By:   /s/ Daniel H. Blumenthal.
                                 ------------------------
                           Its:    Member

<PAGE>

                                   Schedule A
                                   ----------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              PURCHASER                               NUMBER OF WARRANTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III, L.P.
One North Wacker, Suite 4800
Chicago, IL 60606
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-A, L.P.
One North Wacker, Suite 4800
Chicago, IL 60606
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-B, L.P.
One North Wacker, Suite 4800
Chicago, IL 60606
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III-C, L.P.
One North Wacker, Suite 4800
Chicago, IL 60606
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                          [FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]

     THIS WARRANT AND ANY SHARES OF STOCK PURCHASABLE UPON ITS EXERCISE HAVE NOT
     BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
     "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE'S SECURITIES LAWS. THE TRANSFER OF THE
     SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
     SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 12, 2002, AMONG ZIFF
     DAVIS HOLDINGS INC. (THE "COMPANY") AND THE PURCHASERS LISTED THEREON. THE
     COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES UNTIL
     SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED WITH RESPECT TO SUCH TRANSFER. A COPY
     OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT SHALL BE FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDER
     HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.

     THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS
     CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TRANSFER AND VOTING RESTRICTIONS
     PURSUANT TO A INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 5, 2000, AS MAY
     BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE
     "COMPANY") AND CERTAIN OF THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS. A COPY OF SUCH
     INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE COMPANY
     TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.

         EXERCISABLE ON OR AFTER AUGUST 12, 2002
         AND BEFORE 5:00 p.m. EST AUGUST 12, 2012

No.                                                                     Warrants
    -----------------                                      ------------
                               Warrant Certificate

                            Ziff Davis Holdings Inc.

                  This Warrant Certificate certifies that                     or
                                                          ------------------
registered assigns, is the holder of the number of Warrants set forth above,
expiring August 12, 2012 (the "Warrants"), to purchase Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Ziff Davis Holdings Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("The Company"). Each Warrant entitles the holder upon exercise on
or before 5:00 p.m. EST on August 12, 2012, to receive from the Company one
fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock (each such share a

<PAGE>

"Warrant Share") at the initial exercise price (the "Exercise Price") of $0.001
per share payable in lawful money of the United States of America upon surrender
of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or
agency of the Company (including by cashless exercise pursuant to the provisions
of the Warrant Agreement), but only subject to the conditions set forth herein
and in the Warrant Agreement referred to on the reverse hereof. The Exercise
Price and number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are
subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the
Warrant Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this
Warrant Certificate and the Warrant Agreement, the provisions of the Warrant
Agreement shall control. By acceptance of this Warrant Certificate, the holder
acknowledges that this Warrant Certificate is subject to the terms and
conditions of the Warrant Agreement.

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant
Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall
for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

                  This Warrant Certificate shall for all purposes be construed
     in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant Certificate to be
signed by its                      and by its                     .
              --------------------            ---------------------

Dated:
       -----------------------
                                     ZIFF DAVIS HOLDINGS INC.

                                     By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                     Title:
                                           -------------------------------------

                                     By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                     Title:
                                           -------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                         REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

     The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly
authorized issue of Warrants expiring August 12, 2012, entitling the Holder on
exercise to receive shares of Common Stock, par value $.001, of the Company (the
"Common Stock"), and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement
dated as of August 12, 2002 (the "Warrant Agreement"), which Warrant Agreement
is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is
hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights,
obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company and the holders
(the words "holders" or "holder" meaning the holders or holder) of the Warrants.
A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon
written request to the Company at the following address:

                               28 East 28th Street
                               New York, NY 10016
                            Facsimile: (212) 503-3560
                            Telephone: (212) 503-3561
                           Attention: General Counsel

     In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number
of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced
hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his assignee a new Warrant
Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised. No adjustment or
payments shall be made for any dividends on any Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of this Warrant.

     No fractions of a share of Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise of
any Warrant, but the Company will round such fractional interest to the nearest
whole share as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

     Warrant Certificates when surrendered at the office of the Company by the
holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized
in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations
provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge,
for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and
evidencing in the aggregate the same number of Warrants.

     Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant
Certificate at the Office of the Company a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant
Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate the same number of
Warrants shall be issued to transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant
Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement,
without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in
connection therewith.

     The Company may deem and treat the holder(s) thereof as the absolute
owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership
or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof,
of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and the
Company shall not be affected by any notice to the

<PAGE>

contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder
hereof to any rights of a stockholder of the Company.

<PAGE>

                              ELECTION TO EXERCISE

         (To be executed upon exercise of Warrants on the Exercise Date)

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise       of the Warrants
                                                           -----
represented by this Warrant Certificate and purchase the whole number of Warrant
Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants and herewith tenders payment
for such Warrant Shares in the amount of $       either (i) by wire transfer or
                                          ------
by certified or official bank check, in each case, in immediately available
funds, (ii) by cashless exercise in accordance with the provisions of the
Warrant Agreement or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii), in accordance with
the terms of the Warrant Agreement. The undersigned requests that a certificate
representing such Warrant Shares be registered in the name of
                                                              -----------------
whose address is                       and that such certificate be delivered to
                 --------------------
                   whose address is                   .
------------------                  -------------------

     Dated              , 20
           -------------    --

     Name of holder of Warrant Certificate:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                        (Please Print)

      Tax Identification or Social Security Number:
                                                    ----------------------------

      Address
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
              ------------------------------------------------------------------

      Signature:
                  --------------------------------------------------------------

            Note:   The above signature must correspond with the name as
                    written upon the face of this Warrant Certificate in every
                    particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
                    whatever and if the certificate representing the Warrant
                    Shares or any Warrant Certificate representing Warrants not
                    exercised is to be registered in a name other than that in
                    which this Warrant Certificate is registered, or if any cash
                    payment to be paid in lieu of a fractional share is to be
                    made to a Person other than the holder of this Warrant
                    Certificate, the signature of the holder hereof must be
                    guaranteed as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

Dated               , 20
      --------------    --

         Signature Guaranteed:
                               ------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                   ASSIGNMENT

    (To be executed if Holder desires to transfer Warrants evidenced hereby)

     For value received                      hereby sells, assigns and transfers
                        --------------------
to                    (Tax Identification or Social Security Number
   ------------------
                  ), the Warrant Certificate, together with all right, title and
-----------------
interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
                                                                     -----------
attorney, to transfer said Warrant Certificate on the books of the within-named
Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated             , 20
      ------------    --

          Signature:
                       ---------------------------------------------------------

                     Note: The above signature must correspond with the name as
                     written upon the face of this Warrant Certificate in every
                     particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
                     whatever.

Signature Guaranteed:
                      ----------------------------------------------

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