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Meet the Media: Chris Sweeney, Reporter at Rubber & Plastics News

What’s the top story you’re working on right now?
Our parent company, Crain Communications, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Each publication is doing a special report focused on family run operations within their industry. Ours will run in the May 16 edition of Rubber & Plastics News.

Tell us about your dream assignment.
The assignments I enjoy the most are the ones that get me out of the office and into the industry. Seeing a plant up close, talking with the people that run the operation and getting a sense of the day-to-day in the rubber industry. Those are always fun.

Describe the craziest or most fun story you’ve written.
Most fun would have been a project I did on the tire industry and the impact it’s had on South Carolina. I spent a week touring various plants in the state, the package ran in our first issue of 2015.

What is your top pet peeve with PR people?
Companies aren’t always going to want to comment or provide an interview, but a quick “no thanks” is always appreciated.

What is the top trend you’re covering or interested in right now?
There are lots of trends in the rubber industry, but on the automotive side the constant evolution of supplier/OEM relationships is always relevant to our readership.

Tell us a little about yourself (family, interests, favorites, background, etc.)
I was born in the Cleveland area and lived in Northeast Ohio my entire life. I’m a die hard Cleveland sports fan…though it usually ends in disappointment.

Finish this sentence: People would be surprised to know that I…
…love board games.

Follow Chris on Twitter at @CSweeneyRPN.