DETROIT -- Peter Brown, publisher of Automotive News and a vice president of Crain Communications Inc., has announced his retirement effective April 30.
Brown, 64, joined Automotive News as editor in 1989 after 4 1/2 years as the founding editor of Crain's Detroit Business. Prior to
joining Crain Communications, Brown worked at the Detroit Free Press.
Stein: To lead worldwide operation
Jason Stein, associate publisher and editor of Automotive News, will become publisher and editor. Stein, 41, will oversee more than 50 automotive reporters and editors around the world and lead the publication's sales, marketing, event and circulation departments.
Additionally, Crain Communications Vice President KC Crain has been named group publisher of the Automotive Group, which includes Automotive News, Automotive News Europe, Automobilwoche and Autoweek. Crain, 33, will continue as publisher of Autoweek and group publisher of Plastics News, European Plastics News, Rubber & Plastics News, European Rubber Journal, Plastics and Rubber Weekly, Tire Business, Waste & Recycling News and Urethanes Technology International.
During his tenure, Brown has led Automotive News to dramatic growth and global prominence with print and online products that cover the automotive industry. He became publisher of Automotive News in January 2010 after being associate publisher and editorial director since 1992.
"Peter is a great newsman, business leader and true friend," said Keith Crain, chairman of Crain Communications and editor-in-chief of Automotive News. "He has given his heart and soul to Automotive News and the company. We will miss him."
KC Crain: Heads Automotive Group
Said Brown: "From my first day at Crain in 1984, I've been happy and honored to be working for one of the greatest, most honorable news companies in the country. Working closely with Keith Crain all these years has been one great adventure after another.
"Now it's time for me to try some new things. And it's time for Jason Stein, who has had great and varied experiences with the company, to lead our incredibly talented and dedicated team to take on the new challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving industry."
Stein joined Automotive News as a reporter in 2003 and was assigned to Munich in 2005 with sister publication Automotive News Europe. In 2007 he was named publisher of Automotive News Europe.
Two years later he returned to Detroit as editor of Automotive News. In November 2012 he added associate publisher to his editor duties.
During his time as editor, Automotive News has accelerated its around-the-clock global online news operation while strengthening its weekly print coverage and expanding its event base. In 2011, Automotive News won two Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards, annual awards that recognize business-to-business journalism excellence.
KC Crain was named publisher of Autoweek in 2007 and became a Crain Communications vice president in 2008. He also has held the positions of associate publisher and advertising director at Autoweek.
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