Media company acquires Business Journal

Crain Communications acquired the Grand Rapids Business Journal on August 31.

Detroit-based Crain acquired GRBJ from Gemini Media, a regional publishing company in downtown Grand Rapids and part of the Hour Media portfolio.

The company said the acquisition of GRBJ marks an expansion of coverage in Michigan as Crain seeks to serve its growing audience outside of the immediate Detroit area.

“Expanding coverage in the Grand Rapids area is a natural avenue of growth for us,” said KC Crain, president and CEO of Crain Communications. “Grand Rapids sits between two of our largest regional business coverage areas – Detroit and Chicago – and it’s proven to be an area our readers are engaged in and want to see more coverage.”

GRBJ will continue to operate as a separate medium serving readers and advertisers throughout West Michigan and will leverage content and additional advertising resources from Crain City’s brands, which include Crain’s Detroit, Chicago, New York and Cleveland Business.

The 10-person team, which includes editorial and advertising sales staff, will continue with GRBJ.

“We are thrilled to add the Grand Rapids Business Journal to our unmatched business journalism team already in Michigan,” said Jim Kirk, Crain City Brands Group Publisher. “With the added firepower of GRBJ, we are now in an excellent position to serve our current and new Michigan audiences and customers even better.”