Buzz Magazine Editor and Co-Founder Resigns Over Differences

Allan Mayer, a co-founder of Buzz magazine, resigned as editor on Tuesday, reportedly over differences with a consultant hired by the Los Angeles publication’s wealthy Thai owner.

Mayer’s resignation comes six months after another co-founder, Susan Gates, was forced out as publisher in a dispute involving management consultant Ned Kennan.

With Mayer gone, only one of the magazine’s co-founders, Eden Collinsworth, remains.

According to sources, Kennan was hired late last year by Thai mogul Sondhi Limthongkul to help turn around the money-losing magazine. Limthongkul helped put in place an expansion plan that included a change in focus to include service features in the magazine as well as a free weekly entertainment circular.

These sources said that Kennan was put in charge of the magazine’s finances and, in that role, allocated the regular flow of six-figure sums from Thailand used to keep the publication afloat.

In an interview, Mayer said he was proud of the magazine and had no quibble with the move to inject advertising-driven dining and travel features into its mix of irreverent commentary. Explaining his resignation, he said: “Our principal stockholder has delegated his interest in the magazine to a group of people whose approach to business is radically different.”

Mayer declined to identify the group, which other people at the magazine identified as Kennan. Mayer declined to answer questions about his relationship with Kennan.

Buzz issued no comment.