G.D.Crain Jr. Award

The G.D. Crain, Jr. Award is given annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the development of editorial excellence in business media. The award was established by a grant from the G.D. Crain, Jr., Foundation and includes a distinctive distinctive trophy and a check for $1,000. By its name, the award honors the founder of Advertising Age.

Entry Requirements

• Biographical career outline (1,000 word limit)
• At least one complete copy of a magazine produced under the editorial direction of the candidate (digital version).
• Maximum of 3 examples of editorials, articles or other features written by or produced under the direction of the candidate (PDFs)

About the Award

The G.D. Crain, Jr. Award for a Distinguished Editorial Career is given annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the development of editorial excellence in business media. The award was established by a grant from the G.D. Crain, Jr. Foundation and includes both a distinctive trophy and a check for $1,000. By its name, the award honors a great business publication editor, the founder of Business Marketing (which was later named BtoB) and Advertising Age.

A native of Kentucky and an MBA graduate of that state's Centre College, Gustavus Dedman (G.D.) Crain, Jr. spent his life enveloped in the news business. As a young boy he sold newspapers and, at age 19, joined the staff of the Louisville (KY) Herald newspaper. Two years later, he was made city editor and then sports editor.

Subsequently, he organized a business news service, which produced news and features for nearly 100 business publications. Crain served as head of the firm from its inception until 1916, when he founded Hospital Management, a trade publication serving hospital administrators. One month later, he followed up with what became BtoB, a specialized paper for business media marketers.

Later in 1916, Crain moved his publishing headquarters to Chicago, where he began Advertising Age in 1930. His idea for fast, effective news coverage in the general advertising and marketing field succeeded in lasting out the Depression, and Advertising Age moved steadily onward until it became one of the world's premier business papers. For some 35 years, Crain wrote a column for Advertising Age titled "Rough Proofs" under the name of Copy Cub.

In 1967, he started his second non-marketing publication, Business Insurance, which was targeted at corporate purchasers of insurance. Automotive News was acquired in 1971, and Pensions & Investments originated in 1973. In later years, Crain's other publications included American Laundry Digest, American Drycleaner, American Coin Op and American Clean Car (no longer in publication). At various times, he served as president, editor and publisher of the company from its inception until 1964 when he became chairman of the board, a post he held for his remaining years until 1973.

Past Winners