At California Magazine, Chief Is Forced Out

After weeks of turmoil at California magazine, the Australian backers of the 15-year-old publication have forced out Alan Bennett, who bought the magazine in 1983 and rebuilt circulation while launching two new sister magazines.

Consolidated Press Holdings, an Australian company owned by media mogul Kerry Packer, assumed control of California Magazines Partnership on Monday. Consolidated reportedly owned about 80% of the partnership and bought out the rest following weekend negotiations.

“More than anything else, there were some creative differences between Alan and the people at Consolidated Press,” said California Publisher Perry Grayson. Grayson was named acting president of the partnership, and Neal Travis, who was brought in a month ago by Consolidated to assume editing duties from Bennett, was confirmed as editor.

Bennett had no comment Monday. Sources familiar with the magazine said unrest had been building for some time under Bennett’s leadership and turnover was high.

Bennett is credited with rebuilding California magazine’s circulation to 350,000. With a cash infusion from Consolidated three years ago, the company started ventures including Angeles magazine in the Southland and SF in the Bay Area. When Bennett took over California magazine from the owners of Texas Monthly magazine, becoming the publication’s fourth owner, circulation was about 250,000.