Business environment in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is a city in dynamic transition — bridging its iconic industrial legacy with a future centered on innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth.
Detroit, Michigan | money.com
Once associated solely with the automotive industry, Detroit is now a city undergoing an economic renaissance. While it remains the historic heart of the U.S. automotive sector — home to the “Big Three” automakers: General Motors, Ford and Stellantis — Detroit’s economy is rapidly diversifying to emerging sectors such as mobility innovation, fintech, cybersecurity, life sciences and clean energy.
As the world moves toward electrification and autonomous technologies, Detroit is at the forefront. It boasts a robust innovation ecosystem that includes startups, research hubs and corporate R&D centers.
Detroit is supported by a dense network of higher education institutions including Wayne State University (research-heavy urban university), University of Michigan (global research leader nearby in Ann Arbor), Michigan State University (major research and agricultural hub) and several regional colleges that contribute to a growing pool of STEM and creative talent.
Detroit offers an appealing business climate supported by:
- Incentive programs from state and local governments
- Competitive cost of living and labor compared to coastal tech hubs
- Strong logistics and trade infrastructure, including proximity to Canada, major highways, air cargo access via Detroit Metro Airport and Great Lakes shipping.
Communications, media and PR market in Detroit, Michigan
The region’s communications and media market is shaped by industrial heritage, social impact movements and a growing innovation economy, creating a dynamic environment for public relations, media engagement and brand storytelling. Key media include:
- Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News – most influential daily newspapers
- Crain’s Detroit Business and Dbusiness magazines – business journalism and economic analysis
- MLive Media Group – A statewide network for online news
- WXYZ-TV, WDIV-TV, FOX 2 Detroit and CBS Detroit – local TV affiliates with strong news programming
- Daily Detroit – a weekday podcast offering smart, conversational coverage of news, culture, business and civic life
While several global public relations agencies maintain satellite or specialty offices in Detroit to serve automotive, manufacturing and mobility clients, Michigan’s PR industry is anchored by independently owned, regionally focused firms. These include agencies with deep expertise in integrated communications, media relations, crisis response and community engagement.
Key expertise of Franco
- Integrated Communications – public relations, marketing, social media, advertising and creative services
- Strategy + Program management
- Crisis Communications
Based in Detroit since 1964, Franco is a women-owned integrated communications agency offering PR, marketing, social media, advertising and creative services to clients in sectors we’re experienced and invested in, including auto/mobility, economic development, technology, healthcare, nonprofit, consumer and professional service. We’ve made a significant imprint on the region’s brands by turning local businesses into household names and generating awareness for them outside of metro Detroit. Our integrated approach to communications programs, strategies and content – enabled by technology and empathic listening – solves complex problems for our clients. Our values of care, accountability and innovation create trusting partnerships between our team members and clients, resulting in strategic and transformative change.
Top 3 advice for foreign companies to navigate the media and communications environment in Detroit, Michigan
Like many regions, we like what’s local. For businesses entering the market, it’s important to understand the local landscape… not just media, but what makes the region unique. Hiring local leaders (and trusting them to be your local spokesperson) is critical. Authentic community engagement is an expectation. We value and support businesses that are true community partners. One of Franco’s core strengths is partnering with national brands entering the market and helping them become a partner in the community while also raising awareness for their products, services and brands.
Most important international events in Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Auto Show is one of the world’s most influential automotive events, welcoming nearly 300,000 attendees annually to experience the future of mobility. The show draws nearly 2,000 press and new media from 15 countries. The show has raised more than $125 million for children’s charities through its VIP Charity Preview event.
Movement Music Festival is one of the longest-running dance music events in the world. Each year on Memorial Day weekend, music fans from around the world gather in the birthplace of Techno to celebrate the heritage of Detroit and its musical influence. The festival takes place on the Detroit Riverfront and attracts nearly 100,000 people.
Detroit Grand Prix is a premier motorsports and cultural event hosted every June in downtown Detroit. The 2025 event drew more than 150,000 attendees and achieved significant media engagement, with the race broadcast reaching an average audience of 1.061 million viewers across FOX network and streaming services.
ArtPrize is an annual art competition that brings together art enthusiasts, artists and the community. The 2024 event attracted over 795,000 visitors, marking one of its highest attendance figures in recent years and generating an estimated $71 million in economic impact for the region. More than 1,600 artists from 53 countries and 42 U.S. states showcased their work across 180+ venues, including museums, parks, storefronts and public spaces in Grand Rapids: