Crain Communications names Jim Kirk group publisher He'll oversee business and editorial operations of Crain's Chicago Business as well as its sister publications in New York, Detroit and Cleveland. CRAIN'S STAFF Jim Kirk Jim Kirk, who has served as publisher of Crain's Chicago Business since 2018, has been promoted to group publisher of the Detroit-based publishing company's four city-based publications effective Jan. 1. In his new role, Kirk will oversee the business and editorial operations of Crain's Chicago Business as well as its sister publications in New York, Detroit and Cleveland. A veteran of Chicago journalism and publishing circles, Kirk rejoined Crain's in October 2018. Previously, Kirk was editor in chief of the Los Angeles Times when it was owned by the Chicago Tribune's parent company, Tribune Publishing. Before joining Tribune Publishing in 2017 as senior vice president of strategic initiatives, he served as senior vice president, editor and publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times for five years.