Sandra J. Brant announced January 23 that she is resigning as publisher and chief executive officer of The Magazine Antiques and selling her stake in Brant Publications, owner of Antiques, Interview and Art in America. Her buyer is her silent partner and former husband, Peter M. Brant.
Interview editor Ingrid Sischy also tendered her resignation. Late last week, The New York Times reported that Glenn O’Brien, a New York writer and editor, and Fabien Baron, former creative director of French Vogue, will oversee the magazines. O’Brien told the Times that the publications will seek younger audiences and an expanded Internet presence.
No successor has been named for Antiques editor Allison Ledes, who died January 8.
Sandra Brant worked with pop artist Andy Warhol on Interview in the early 1970s. In 1977 and 1980, with Elissa Cullman, she organized the exhibitions “Andy Warhol’s Folk and Funk” and “Small Folk: A Celebration of Childhood In America” at the American Folk Art Museum.
Since joining Brant Publications 23 years ago , the CEO has paid off the company’s debt. In 2006, Brant Publications hired investment bank Allen & Co. to study corporate refinancing options. A source close to the negotiations said that Peter Brant, a collector and newsprint manufacturer, has wanted to “monetize” his investment in the publishing company.
“A number of strategic partners of high quality and serious commitment presented themselves,” Sandra Brant told Antiques and The Arts Weekly. “ In the end, the only way to continue our complete editorial freedom would have been to buy Peter Brant out and that would have meant once again saddling the company with significant debt. It seemed the wrong thing to do.”
“It has been an honor to be the steward of such an incredible magazine,” Brant said of Antiques. “Not too many titles have its authority, integrity and quality. I am proud of what we have accomplished together. We have a dedicated staff and are well poised for the future.”
Brant Publications was founded with the purchase of The Magazine Antiques in 1983 and Art in America in 1984. The company bought Interview from Andy Warhol’s estate in 1989.
