Blender Folds; Joe Levy to Take Over Maxim

Blender magazine folded today, and its editor, Joe Levy, is taking over editing duties at Maxim.

Stephen Duggan, the CEO of Alpha Media Group, wrote in a memo this morning to staffers, that “with great sadness, we will also announce that Blender magazine will cease publication with the April issue. Since 2001, Blender has provided unmatched music coverage and entertainment news in its unique voice to a profoundly dedicated audience of music enthusiasts. We are particularly grateful to the sales team and to the tremendously talented editorial staff for their hard work and commitment to Blender.”

We’ve heard from a Blender staffer that each one of the staffers will receive three months of severance.

Maxim editor James Kaminsky will be leaving and Jay Woodruff will become “chief content officer” of  Maxim.

Here’s the memo:

To: Alpha Media Group Staff

From: Stephen Duggan, CEO

Re: Announcement

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As all of you are aware, the global financial crisis has severely impacted the media industry. Alpha Media Group is weathering the current economic difficulties and we are confident that with the changes we are implementing, the company is in the strongest position possible to continue moving forward.

With this in mind, today we will announce that we are integrating the editorial operations for Maxim and Maxim.com. The merger presents immense promise for the Maxim brand as a leader in a 21st Century media strategy that includes print, digital, mobile, television and film.

Please join me in congratulating Joe Levy and Jay Woodruff who have been named Editor in Chief and Chief Content Officer, respectively. Ben Madden, who was named Group Publisher in February, will oversee sales and sales strategy, marketing, events and client services for the print and online properties.

Additionally, and with great sadness, we will also announce that Blender magazine will cease publication with the April issue. Since 2001, Blender has provided unmatched music coverage and entertainment news in its unique voice to a profoundly dedicated audience of music enthusiasts. We are particularly grateful to the sales team and to the tremendously talented editorial staff for their hard work and commitment to Blender.

Thank you for your continued hard work.