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Crain Communications

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Company in Transition - Anonymous employee Crain Communications Employee Review

2.0
Nov 15, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Crain attracts smart and talented people. I work with some great people! The office in Chicago has an incredible view of Lake Michigan and Millennium Park.

Cons

It's publishing, so to a certain degree one has to expect uncertainty and change. In the last 4 months or so, Crain seems to have been hit by a ton of it! Some very high-profile layoffs and turnover at some publications is very high - there are a handful of people who have been there 10+ years and then tons that have been there fewer than 2 years (and they likely won't stay beyond that). Business pressure is very high and expectations are unrealistic and often poorly communicated.

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Crain Communications Response
9y
Thank you for your candid review. As you’ve noted, Crain has a long history of attracting top talent and continues to do so today. The media landscape is evolving at a rapid pace and Crain, like all media companies, continuously assesses the needs of our audiences and advertisers. Sometimes change results in losing people, but we recognize and thank them for their contributions and wish them the very best in their future endeavors. We are excited about the future of media and we look forward to attracting innovators and disruptors to lead Crain into our next century.

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5.0
Jun 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Leadership Opportunities – You often lead event planning teams, coordinate vendors, and oversee event execution from start to finish. Creative Expression – The role allows you to design memorable experiences and bring unique event concepts to life. Relationship Building – You develop strong connections with clients, sponsors, vendors, and stakeholders. Project Management Experience – Managing budgets, timelines, contracts, and logistics strengthens valuable project management skills. Career Growth Potential – Experience in senior event management can lead to positions such as Event Manager, Director of Events, or Operations Director.

Cons

Heavy workload during peak seasons – Certain times of the year may involve coordinating several events simultaneously. Difficulty maintaining work-life balance – The unpredictable nature of events can make personal scheduling challenging.

3.0
Jun 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong Brand: Pensions & Investments remains a highly respected and trusted name in institutional financial media.Valuable Data: The underlying proprietary data and research products are high-quality and genuinely sought after by major institutions. Colleagues: The day-to-day editorial and sales teams are incredibly dedicated professionals who care about the product.

Cons

Short-Sighted Restructuring: In late 2025, management aggressively cut experienced, human-led enterprise sales and account management teams in a bid to force a "digital transformation" and pivot to AI/automation. Complete Operational Breakdown: The reality of this pivot is a mess. By replacing dedicated human contact points with generic support inboxes and broken "self-service" portals, high-value corporate clients are being completely ignored. Systemic Carelessness: Months after the layoffs, former employees are still receiving voicemails from furious institutional clients who cannot get a hold of anyone at the company. CRM records and phone lines were left unmanaged and orphaned. Flawed Strategy: Management optimized for internal cost-cutting without considering client retention. Enterprise clients pay premium prices for white-glove service, not a black-hole automated ticket queue.

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