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Crain Communications

Is this your company?

Decent workplace -- if you're over 45. - Underling Crain Communications Employee Review

3.0
Aug 18, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This company offers average pay, good benefits and your chances of being downsized are lower than elsewhere in the publishing industry. Managers are understanding when it comes to balancing work and play -- I've taken days off or worked from home at the drop of a hat and my boss didn't mind as long as work got done on time.

Cons

If you're under 45, you'll be treated by managers as if you are 22 -- regardless of your level of experience. There are way too many managers compared to worker bees -- and the Boomer mentality permeates everything we do. Like every other media organization, Crain has taken huge revenue hits in 2009 -- but the head office has been mum on how the company is doing overall (plenty of platitudes in the monthly newsletter, though). As for layoffs: No, these haven't been as severe as elsewhere in media. But the way HR handles them has been cruel: The last two rounds of job cuts happened on or just before St. Patrick's Day and Independence Day.

Explore other reviews about Crain Communications

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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