Kent Brownridge, the former No. 2 at Wenner Media, is leaving his post as CEO of the Quadrangle Capital-backed Alpha Media Group, which snapped up Dennis Publishing's Maxim and Blender (while shuttering the print edition of Stuff); he will still hold the title of chairman, while being replaced by CFO Stephen Duggan and COO Glenn Rosenbloom, who will split chief exec duties. (Brownridge hired the pair of 'em.)
What you won't read in MIN's report, however, is that Brownridge isn't leaving his post voluntarily. We've heard rumblings for a few weeks that the magazine group's progress hasn't been impressing the private equity guys at Quadrangle, who might have originally picked up the lad mag brands as a hobby sport, but now want to see a return on their investment. So, as best we can tell, Brownridge is being forcibly demoted. Also, as best we can tell, Jann Wenner has a macho grin on his face right now.
Editorial Director
Reality check: Everyone: There are too many magazines, period. Face it. There are too many "men's" magazines. There are too many crappy magazines. And, there are too many crappy so-called "men's" magazines. Also, everyone: Stop buying journalistic entities as a hobby sport. You are ruining journalism, and you are ruining newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television stations. Spend your money on yourself–enjoy life, have fun, travel this big, wide world. But stay the hell out of journalism, because the rich fat cats who know absolutely zero–nothing–about journalism are just simply ruining journalism. Sell, now, take your money, and run to the beach. But stay out of journalism–the trade doesn't need you, and it doesn't want you. Leave journalism to the journalists. This needs to start now.