Crain Communications
Crain Communications is a privately held American business-to-business publishing company whose portfolio spans trade magazines, regional business journals, websites, newsletters, podcasts, and related digital media.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Crain Communications is an American publishing conglomerate headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1916 by newspaper editor Gustavus Dedman “G. D.” Crain Jr., the company began with business-oriented publications and moved its staff to Chicago during its first year. Its early portfolio included Class, a publication that later became BtoB, and Hospital Management, which was sold in 1952. The company established Advertising Age in 1930, creating one of the most influential specialist publications in advertising and marketing. The business developed around focused editorial products aimed at professional audiences rather than a single consumer mass-market title. Over time, Crain added publications covering automotive retail and manufacturing, health care, institutional investment, plastics, advertising, regional business, and other specialist sectors. Major acquisitions included Automotive News in 1971, Modern Healthcare in 1976, and Autoweek in 1977. The portfolio also expanded through the creation or acquisition of regional business publications, including Crain’s Chicago Business, Crain’s Detroit Business, Crain’s New York Business, Crain’s Cleveland Business, and the later Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. The company adopted the name Crain Communications in 1969. After G. D. Crain’s death in 1973, his widow Gertrude Crain chaired the company until 1996. During her tenure, the organization grew to approximately 27 newspapers and magazines. Rance Crain became president in 1974, and Keith Crain succeeded Gertrude as chairperson in 1997. In 2001, Crain moved its corporate headquarters to the Brewery Park complex on Gratiot Avenue in downtown Detroit, consolidating Detroit-area employees in one facility. Crain’s publications combine print and digital products, including websites, electronic newsletters, podcasts, blogs, email briefings, events, and specialist information services. Its publications generally serve business executives, industry professionals, investors, dealers, marketers, policymakers, and local commercial communities. Titles such as Advertising Age, Automotive News, Modern Healthcare, Pensions & Investments, and Plastics News operate as sector-focused editorial brands, while the Crain’s regional publications provide local business intelligence and market reporting. By 2012, the company reported approximately 30 business, trade, and consumer publications and related websites across North America, Europe, and Asia, with more than 850 employees in 14 locations. Its international presence has included foreign subsidiaries and specialized editions such as Automotive News Europe, Automobilwoche, and Automotive News China. In 2022, Crain expanded its regional business journalism presence in Michigan by acquiring the Grand Rapids Business Journal and MiBiz, subsequently combining them as Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. In 2025, the company reportedly laid off at least 25 employees, reflecting continuing employment and operating changes in the publishing sector.
History
Gustavus Dedman “G. D.” Crain Jr., a former city editor of the Louisville Herald, established Crain Publishing Company in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1916. The first portfolio included Class and Hospital Management. The staff relocated to Chicago later that year, beginning the company’s long association with major American business and publishing centers. In 1930, the company launched Advertising Age, with Sidney R. Bernstein as its first editor. The title became a durable specialist source for the advertising and marketing industries and later developed into a multi-platform operation involving print, web publishing, newsletters, podcasts, and blogs. Hospital Management was sold in 1952, while Class evolved into BtoB, another publication serving business marketers. The company changed its name to Crain Communications in 1969. It broadened its trade-publishing footprint through acquisitions and launches. Automotive News, founded by Slocum Publishing in 1925, was acquired in 1971. Modern Healthcare was purchased from McGraw-Hill in 1976, and Autoweek was acquired in 1977. Autoweek began as a motorsports newsletter, became a biweekly publication, and developed into an automotive enthusiast magazine in 1986. G. D. Crain died in 1973. Rance Crain became president the following year, while Gertrude Crain chaired the company until 1996. Under Gertrude’s leadership, the organization grew to approximately 27 newspapers and magazines. Keith Crain became chairperson in 1997. The family-led structure remained an important feature of the company’s identity as it expanded across business, trade, consumer, and regional publications. Crain also built a significant regional business-news network. Crain’s Chicago Business began publication in 1978, followed by additional metropolitan titles including Crain’s Detroit Business, Crain’s Cleveland Business, and Crain’s New York Business. Detroit Monthly, launched in 1983, absorbed Metropolitan Detroit in 1987 and became a supplement to Crain’s Detroit Business in 1996 rather than continuing as a standalone magazine. The Grand Rapids Business Journal began as a monthly publication in 1983, became weekly in 1986, and was sold to Crain in 2022. Crain also acquired MiBiz in 2022 and combined the two publications into Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. Other important sector brands include Pensions & Investments, founded in 1973 for pension, portfolio, and investment-management professionals, and Plastics News, founded by Crain in Akron, Ohio, in 1989. Plastics News later moved to Crain’s Detroit headquarters in 2013. Automotive News developed international editions and related titles, including Automotive News Europe, Automobilwoche, and Automotive News China. Autoweek’s website has operated under license through Hearst Communications. In 2001, Crain relocated its corporate headquarters to the Brewery Park complex on Gratiot Avenue in downtown Detroit, consolidating Detroit-based employees. By 2012, the company had approximately 30 business, trade, and consumer publications and related websites, more than 850 employees, and operations in 14 locations across North America, Europe, and Asia. In 2025, the company reportedly laid off at least 25 employees. Crain remains an active privately held publisher with a portfolio centered on professional information and specialist journalism.
- 2025
Reported workforce reductions
[1]At least 25 employees were reportedly laid off.
- 2022
Grand Rapids business publications consolidated
[1]Crain acquired the Grand Rapids Business Journal and MiBiz and merged them into Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
- 2001
Headquarters moved to Brewery Park in Detroit
[1]Crain consolidated Detroit-based employees at the Brewery Park complex on Gratiot Avenue.
- 1977
Autoweek acquired
[1]Crain purchased the motorsports publication that later developed into an automotive enthusiast magazine.
- 1976
Modern Healthcare acquired
[1]Crain purchased Modern Healthcare from McGraw-Hill.
- 1971
Automotive News acquired
[1]Crain acquired Automotive News from Slocum Publishing.
- 1969
Company renamed Crain Communications
[1]The company adopted its current corporate name.
- 1930
Advertising Age launched
[1]Crain introduced Advertising Age, a specialist publication for the advertising and marketing industries.
- 1916
Crain Publishing Company founded
[1]G. D. Crain Jr. founded the company in Louisville, Kentucky, initially publishing Class and Hospital Management; staff later moved to Chicago.
Products and positioning
A privately held, specialist business-media group positioned around authoritative sector reporting, professional audiences, regional commercial intelligence, and multi-platform publishing.
Advertising and marketing trade media · 1930
Advertising Age
Founded in 1930, Advertising Age, also known as Ad Age, covers advertising, marketing, media, agencies, brands, and related business developments. Its format has included a weekly newspaper, website, newsletters, podcasts, blogs, and other digital channels. Crain’s BtoB publication was absorbed into Advertising Age in 2013.
Automotive trade media · 1925
Automotive News
Automotive News is a Detroit-based weekly trade publication covering vehicle manufacturers, dealers, suppliers, engineering, design, production, retail, and the wider automotive business. Its international publishing network includes Automotive News Europe, Automobilwoche, and Automotive News China. The core audience includes automobile dealers and automotive-industry executives.
Automotive enthusiast media
Autoweek
Autoweek began as a motorsports newsletter and was acquired by Crain in 1977. It later developed into an automotive enthusiast publication covering vehicle reviews, racing, new products, personalities, auto shows, trends, photography, and breaking news. Its digital output has included spy photographs, galleries, podcasts, and online reporting; the website has been managed by Hearst under license.
Healthcare business media
Modern Healthcare
Modern Healthcare reports on the business and management of health care, including industry trends, finance, policy, technology, and organizational developments. Its products have included a twice-monthly print magazine, website, daily email briefings, newsletters, and social-media distribution.
Investment-management trade media · 1973
Pensions & Investments
Pensions & Investments serves executives and professionals involved in pension funds, portfolio management, institutional investing, and investment management. Its publishing model includes print journalism, digital reporting, and a daily email newsletter.
Plastics-industry trade media · 1989
Plastics News
Plastics News is a weekly trade newspaper covering the global plastics industry, with particular reach among North American industry professionals. Its reporting addresses manufacturing, materials, suppliers, technology, markets, and business developments. The publication was founded in Akron and moved to Crain’s Detroit headquarters in 2013.
Regional business media · 1978
Crain's Chicago Business
Crain’s Chicago Business is a weekly regional business publication serving Chicago-area executives and organizations. It provides local reporting and analysis on companies, finance, real estate, entrepreneurship, politics, health care, and other matters affecting the metropolitan economy, through print and digital channels.
Regional business media
Crain's Detroit Business
Crain’s Detroit Business covers Southeast Michigan’s commercial and institutional economy. Its subject areas include health care, banking, manufacturing, government, technology, education, real estate, law, advertising, defense, retail, hospitality, life sciences, energy, and transportation.
Regional business media
Crain's New York Business
Crain’s New York Business publishes local business journalism in digital and print forms. Its coverage includes advertising, banking, the economy, education, health care, hospitality, media, politics, real estate, restaurants, retail, small business, and other New York commercial sectors.
Regional business media · 2022
Crain's Grand Rapids Business
Crain’s Grand Rapids Business was formed through Crain’s 2022 acquisition of the Grand Rapids Business Journal and MiBiz. It serves businesses and decision-makers in the Grand Rapids and wider Michigan market with regional economic and industry reporting.
Brand decisions
2022
Expanded and consolidated Grand Rapids business coverageM&ABackground
Crain expanded its regional business-news network in Michigan through acquisitions.
Action taken
It acquired the Grand Rapids Business Journal and MiBiz and combined them under Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
Aftermath
The transactions created a consolidated Crain regional business publication for the Grand Rapids market.
2013
Absorbed BtoB into Advertising AgeOtherBackground
Crain maintained overlapping business-marketing editorial capabilities in BtoB and Advertising Age.
Action taken
BtoB was folded into Advertising Age.
Aftermath
Advertising Age became the principal Crain brand serving advertising and business-marketing professionals.
2001
Consolidated Detroit headquartersStrategyBackground
Crain sought to bring Detroit-based employees together in a single corporate facility.
Action taken
The company relocated its corporate headquarters to the Brewery Park complex on Gratiot Avenue in downtown Detroit.
Aftermath
The move consolidated the company’s Detroit operations and reinforced Detroit as its corporate base.
1969
Adopted the Crain Communications nameStrategyBackground
The publishing company had expanded beyond its earliest titles and formalized a broader corporate identity.
Action taken
The company changed its name from Crain Publishing Company to Crain Communications.
Aftermath
The new name became the umbrella identity for its growing business, trade, consumer, and regional media portfolio.
Recent events
- 2025
Crain Communications reported layoffs affecting at least 25 employees[1]
Other
The company reportedly eliminated at least 25 positions, an employment change occurring amid broader pressure on publishing and digital media businesses.
- 2022
Crain Communications acquired Michigan business publications and created Crain's Grand Rapids Business[1]
M&A · Other
Crain acquired the Grand Rapids Business Journal and MiBiz, then combined the publications under the Crain's Grand Rapids Business name.
Sources2 sources
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