By Jeffrey Blyth in New York
Felix Dennis is selling off some of his American empire. He is reportedly putting most of his American publications on the auction block, including the American versions of Maxim and Stuff.
According to the New York Post, the sale, which is already in the hands of brokers, is expected to fetch at least $250 million. The Post points out that Maxim and Stuff are both profitable publications.
Among potential bidders for the magazines are Time Inc, Hearst and Hachette Filipacchi.
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No-one at Dennis Publishing’s New York offices would confirm the proposed sale. A spokesman said: "There have been similar rumours in the past and we don’t comment on rumours."
Watching the reports with interest are several former Dennis Publications editors now working in the US.
Among them are Mark Golin, a former editor of Maxim, now working for Time Inc; Keith Blanchard, who is now with Hearst and is working on a new weekly lads’ mag to be called Bullet; and Mike Hammer, who is working on a US version of Shock for Hachette Filipacchi.
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■ Other big changes in the US include the folding of Elle Girl — the June issue will be the last. The magazine, started by Hachette Filipacchi five years ago, is one of the first big casualties of the fading teenage market.
About 30 staffers will lose their jobs, although a few may be kept on to handle the magazine’s website, which will continue.
Among those leaving is editor Christina Kelly, who took over in August from founding editor Brandon Holley, who is now editor of Jane.
Also folding are Celebrity Living, which was launched just a year ago; a magazine for car buffs called MPH; and the Spanish language edition of fitness magazine Shape.
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