Business News
After 23 Years as CEO, Sandra Brant to Sell Her Interest in Brant Publications
Thursday 24. January 2008 - Sandra Brant, longtime CEO, president and publisher of Brant Publications announced that she will sell her interest in the company to her co-owner, ex-husband Peter Brant. Ms. Brant has tendered her resignation, and will leave the company after overseeing a transition period. Brant Publications comprises Art in America, Interview, and The Magazine Antiques.
“Owning Interview, Art in America, and The Magazine Antiques and building them into a uniquely successful publishing company has been a great source of both joy and pride. However, I have been running the magazines for 23 years and after a great deal of consideration, I believe it’s time for me to have a second chapter in my life and I am confident that I leave Brant Publications well-positioned to thrive. In its early days the company was saddled with significant debt and, its flagship title, Interview was subject to declining ad pages and stagnant circulation. Now the company is debt free and profitable thanks to the work of so many dedicated, talented people. I am very grateful to all of them and I wish Peter Brant all the best in his stewardship of these great magazines.”
Ms. Brant’s tenure has been noted for not only high standards of excellence but for editor-in-chief and senior editor stability, and the elimination of debt to a position of profitability. Today the company’s properties are collectively at their highest ever level of total paid circulation. Moreover, Interview Magazine has increased advertising revenues nearly 300% since 1993.
For over a year the Brants explored available strategic solutions and alternatives to their current ownership structure. Ms. Brant’s objective in this process was that the magazines would be able to continue to operate in a creative environment, with a degree of independence designed to assure journalistic integrity. Another priority for Ms. Brant was that the transaction would be financially sensible, in terms of her responsibilities, commitments, and other interests.
Various opportunities presented themselves to Ms. Brant, including partners of high quality and serious commitment, who offered to provide financing for a buyout of her co-owner, and allow Ms. Brant to continue her operational control of the company. However, now that the process has been completed, and after much deliberation and serious consideration, Ms. Brant has chosen to have Peter Brant buy her interest. She will be staying on to manage the transition.