Crain’s Chicago looks at acquisitions, diversification

Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Business Journal spoke with Crain’s Chicago Business publisher David Snyder about how the publication, and the Crain company, plans to grow.

Lazare writes, “On the topic of redeployment of assets, Snyder said he is focusing, among other things, on growing Crain’s custom publishing unit, which currently produces program books for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.

“But Snyder believes there is the potential to expand the custom publishing operation beyond Chicago and obtain contracts with performing arts venues in other markets. Snyder declined to specify what markets he might be considering.

“Playbill, the well-entrenched New York City-based performing arts program company, has a lock on most of the major East Coast venues, so Snyder and Crain would have to look elsewhere to make significant inroads, possibly on the West Coast.

“Meanwhile, Snyder said Crain’s Chicago is mulling possible acquisitions to further expand its portfolio and diversify its revenue stream and readership base. Again, Snyder said the company is only considering possible acquisitions at this juncture and declined to elaborate, except to note he was thinking outside the box of traditional media properties.”

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