Crain is a privately-held media company founded in 1916 in Louisville, Kentucky by G.D. Crain, Jr. In 1930, Mr. Crain launched Advertising Age, the international newspaper of marketing. Crain Communications' publishing interests broadened over time and currently number 32 titles and a variety of other services.

According to its website, "Crain Communications is a strong company with over 1,000 employees and 18 offices around the world--its reputation and position are solid, global and growing" and is "one of the largest privately-owned business publishers in the U.S. with 29 leading business, trade and consumer publications in North America and Europe. As an authoritative source of vital news and information to industry leaders and consumers worldwide, each of the company's newspapers, magazines and electronic news sites have become required reading in their respective sector of business and consumer market."