Kirk is the author of Thinking Inside the Box, an award-winning journalist, editor, publisher, and innovator in nontraditional marketing and custom-created content. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist as a reporter at the Detroit Free Press and winner of the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Bronze Medallion, along with many other national and regional journalism honors. He also has broad experience in regional magazines, having been the editor and/or president of five major titles, including Chicago Magazine.

Kirk has created marketing strategy and content for global clients such as Yahoo!, Hallmark, General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Lexus, Unisys, Microsoft, Qwest Communications, Bank of America and many others.