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Crain Communications

Is this your company?

This once-great B2B publishing company is confronting the digital challenge and losing ground. - Reporter Crain Communications Employee Review

3.0
24 Mar 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I was thrilled when I got hired at Crain. For years, I had known of its reputation as a solid, family-owned company that treated workers well and paid them fairly. It was a great day when Crain hired me, or so I thought.

Cons

As Crain struggles to compete in the digital-media world, the company's traditional print pubs are taking a hit. Crain New York Business, for example, just laid off 40% of its staff. 40%! And CNYB is not the only pub that is downsizing. There have been layoffs all over the company, and what used to be a happy workplace now has a dark cloud of fear hanging over it.

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Crain Communications Response
11y
Actually, Crain publications have been an active participant in the reinvention of the media space; diversifying our platforms with a broader portfolio mix, including Web, mobile, data, research, events and print. Not to mention the award-winning custom content work our publications have produced over the last three years. As our publications continue to diversify their portfolio mix and launch into new markets, the technology and talent of our publications need to change as well. Crain’s New York Business is no exception to this evolution and proactively chose to make staffing changes that would align with its long-term business strategies. While these reductions were nowhere near 40% of staff, we recognize that ANY reduction has a cultural impact and have responded with greater transparency and frequency of our communications, keeping our team members in the know and excited about their future with us.

Explore other reviews about Crain Communications

5.0
4 Jun 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
22 Jun 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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