Dennis Publishing is now under the leadership of ex-Wenner executive Kent Brownridge and private equity firm Quadrangle Group. The group acquired Maxim, Stuff and Blender from founder Felix Dennis for a deal sources say is worth between $235 and $250 million. An announcement is expected later today.
Dennis will hold on to The Week, a title that is successful both abroad and here in the U.S. since its domestic launch in 2001, and the U.K. versions of Maxim and Stuff.
Maxim, Stuff and Blender have been challenged since the popularity of the young men’s humor and entertainment lad mag has faded in recent years.
Though Brownridge has not commented officially on what he plans to do with the titles, sources close to Brownridge have speculated he will shutter Stuff, considered the younger brother to Maxim. Stuff was launched to take on Emap’s FHM in the U.S., but Emap folded the American title late last year. Meanwhile, the sources also believe Brownridge wanted to turn Blender into a biweekly to take on Rolling Stone, owned by his former employer, Jann Wenner.