Editorial Director of Surf Wear Magazine Resigns His Posts

Paul Holmes, whose push to broaden the scope of Action Sports Retailer turned him into a controversial figure in the surf wear industry that the trade magazine covers, resigned Friday as associate publisher and editorial director of the monthly publication.

Holmes, who had held the dual jobs for a year, could not be reached for comment.

Since assuming editorial control of the magazine--which sponsors several major surf wear trade shows each year--Holmes had been molding it into what he called a “youth culture” publication. He had added to the magazine’s surf wear coverage articles and photo spreads featuring the darker, baggier styles favored by skate boarders and city-dwelling youth.

“The beach lifestyle and action sports market will never have the same complexion it did in the ‘80s,” he wrote this month in what has turned out to be his last column for Action Sports Retailer.

Holmes’ resignation was confirmed by publisher Darrell Denny, who said the departure “was a decision we reached together, based on our differences of opinion over Paul’s vision and the direction he wanted to take the magazine” and its annual trade show for retailers.

Denny said Holmes’ resignation is effective immediately and that he vacated his office before noon Friday.

“I don’t know where he is going or what plans he has,” Denny said. He added that Holmes “is a very well-known figure in the industry” who should have little problem finding a new position.

The magazine will begin a search for a successor right away, Denny said, and is likely to hire one person to assume editorial duties and a second to take over the trade show responsibilities that Holmes had handled.

The dispute with Holmes was strictly over editorial direction, Denny said. “His departure is not a comment on the success of the magazine and its shows during his tenure.”

Denny, 34, is group publisher for Action Sports and two other retail clothing industry publications: Outdoor Retailer and Impressions, a magazine for those dealing in imprinted sportswear, which carries logos or other designs.

The three accounted last year for just over $20 million of the $235-million revenue of their parent, Miller Freeman Inc. in San Francisco, Denny said. Miller Freeman, in turn, is owned by United Newspapers, a British publishing conglomerate with 1992 revenue of $1.8 billion.