DETROIT — Crain Communications Inc. has purchased MiBiz, a business media company in Grand Rapids — its second acquisition in western Michigan in the past four months.
The deal for MiBiz is effective Jan. 1, the companies announced Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed.
Crain acquired MiBiz, which launched in 1988, from privately owned MiBiz Inc. The purchase follows Crain's acquisition of the Grand Rapids Business Journal in August.
Crain also owns Tire Business, which is part of the Crain Global Polymer Group that also includes, among others, Plastics News and Rubber News.
According to Crain, MiBiz will be consolidated with the Business Journal and added to Crain's city brands, which also include Crain's Detroit Business, Crain's Chicago Business, Crain's Cleveland Business and Crain's New York Business.
Crain will consolidate the resources of both Grand Rapids Business Journal and MiBiz into one media entity serving Grand Rapids and other areas in western Michigan.
The combined operation will be renamed Crain's Grand Rapids Business in early 2023 and will tap into resources at Crain's Detroit and elsewhere throughout the city-brand network. Combined, MiBiz and the Grand Rapids Business Journal serve thousands of readers a day.
"We are committed to giving readers and business partners the most comprehensive news and information about the Grand Rapids region," Crain President and CEO KC Crain said.
"Adding the terrific journalism of MiBiz to our resources will more than deliver on that promise."
Lisa Rudy, publisher of Crain's Detroit and the Grand Rapids Business Journal, will oversee the combined entity in Grand Rapids. Mickey Ciokajlo, recently named executive editor of both publications, will oversee all editorial operations in both markets.
"We are thrilled to bring MiBiz into our growing family of outstanding journalism titles and strengthen our presence in West Michigan,'' Jim Kirk, group publisher of the Crain city brands, said.
"Under the leadership of Lisa and Mickey, we are excited for the growth potential from the synergy between the Crain's Detroit and the Grand Rapids' teams.''
Crain Communications is a global business media company whose 20-plus brands include Automotive News, Ad Age, Modern Healthcare, Green Market Report and more.
