Publishing Los Angeles

Among the losing bidders for Petersen Publishing last year was Robert L. Miller, an expansion-minded executive who helped create such magazines as Vibe and Martha Stewart Living during a 23-year career at Time Inc. You won't find Miller licking his wounds, though. With backing from a prominent investment firm, Miller last month scooped up six sports magazines--more than doubling the size of his Los Angeles-based media company.

Tribune Corp., owner of the Los Angeles Times, is putting new leadership at the top as it prepares to emerge from its prolonged bankruptcy. Times Publisher Eddy W. Hartenstein on Friday was named chief executive of the Chicago-based corporation, which also owns KTLA-TV Channel 5, the Chicago Tribune and other media properties. Hartenstein will remain publisher of Los Angeles Times Media Group. With his new responsibilities, he named Kathy Thomson as president and chief operating officer of Times Media.

Joan McCraw has been named president and publisher of Los Angeles Magazine which is owned by Capital Cities/ABC Inc., New York. She was formerly vice president of advertising for National Geographic. McGraw succeeds Geoff Miller as publisher. Miller, a founder and former editor of the magazine, announced in April that he planned to retire after 34 years with the magazine.

Among the losing bidders for Petersen Publishing last year was Robert L. Miller, an expansion-minded executive who helped create such magazines as Vibe and Martha Stewart Living during a 23-year career at Time Inc. You won't find Miller licking his wounds, though. With backing from a prominent investment firm, Miller last month scooped up six sports magazines--more than doubling the size of his Los Angeles-based media company.

Times Mirror Co. announced an agreement Wednesday to settle all shareholder lawsuits that challenged the proposed sale of its cable television business to Cox Enterprises Inc. Under terms of the settlement, which faces court approval, Times Mirror will offer investors an opportunity to earn higher dividends for up to three years by exchanging new shares of common stock for a new series of preferred stock. In June, Times Mirror signed a definitive agreement to sell its cable operation in a $2.

Tribune Corp., owner of the Los Angeles Times, is putting new leadership at the top as it prepares to emerge from its prolonged bankruptcy. Times Publisher Eddy W. Hartenstein on Friday was named chief executive of the Chicago-based corporation, which also owns KTLA-TV Channel 5, the Chicago Tribune and other media properties. Hartenstein will remain publisher of Los Angeles Times Media Group. With his new responsibilities, he named Kathy Thomson as president and chief operating officer of Times Media.

Walter M. Harrison III was appointed vice president of Chartwell Publishing, Los Angeles, and division president of Westside Printing & Publishing, West Los Angeles.

Petersen Publishing a Los Angeles magazine publisher whose titles include Motor Trend and Hot Rod, signed a licensing agreement with Nascar to produce two magazines. Nascar Garage will provide information about Nascar racing vehicles and the people behind their technology. The publication will be distributed as a quarterly insert in seven Petersen magazines beginning in March.

Times Mirror Co. announced an agreement Wednesday to settle all shareholder lawsuits that challenged the proposed sale of its cable television business to Cox Enterprises Inc. Under terms of the settlement, which faces court approval, Times Mirror will offer investors an opportunity to earn higher dividends for up to three years by exchanging new shares of common stock for a new series of preferred stock. In June, Times Mirror signed a definitive agreement to sell its cable operation in a $2.

Joan McCraw has been named president and publisher of Los Angeles Magazine which is owned by Capital Cities/ABC Inc., New York. She was formerly vice president of advertising for National Geographic. McGraw succeeds Geoff Miller as publisher. Miller, a founder and former editor of the magazine, announced in April that he planned to retire after 34 years with the magazine.

Times Mirror Co. plans to increase its capital spending budget this year to a record level of more than $400 million to keep pace with new technology and stay competitive, Robert F. Erburu, chairman and chief executive, told shareholders at the company's annual meeting Tuesday. The money, which will help finance a host of projects--including completion of modern press plants for the Los Angeles Times, a printing facility for the Baltimore Sun newspapers as well as expansion of the company's cable television systems and other areas--will increase the company's 1989 year-end debt, Erburu said.