DETROIT — A management shift is in the works at Automotive News. Here are the changes:
- Publisher Jason Stein is leaving Automotive News and parent Crain Communications Inc. to host a new radio show on SiriusXM: “Cars & Culture with Jason Stein.” He will also launch Flat Six Media, a global media services and broadcasting platform.
- KC Crain, CEO of Crain Communications, will assume Stein’s role as Automotive News publisher effective Sept. 15.
- Josh Freed has been named head of strategy.
Stein, 49, joined Automotive News as a reporter in 2003 following jobs in Canada, Ohio and Indiana.
He was publisher of Automotive News Europe from 2006 to 2009, editor of Automotive News from 2009 to 2017 and publisher since 2013. He is a vice president of Crain Communications.
“It’s been an honor to work for one of the greatest business-to-business media organizations,” Stein said in a statement. “I am humbled by the enormous talent within the Automotive News team, all of whom are dedicated to first-class journalism and an everlasting motto that the reader comes first.”
Crain, 41, has been publisher of the Automotive News group since 2013. He is also CEO of Crain Communications, which includes nearly 20 trade and business titles in North America, Europe and Asia.
He started in the family company as a reporter for Automotive News. His other roles have included executive vice president, director of corporate operations, president and COO.
Crain holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Denison University.
Freed, 30, joined Automotive News in 2012. His titles have included digital general manager and content studio leader.
Among his responsibilities as head of strategy will be to focus on audience growth, reader engagement and the development of new products. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan.