Playboy's top editor exits

NEW YORK, April 23 (UPI) -- Jim Kaminsky has stepped down from his role as editorial director at Playboy, a position the former Maxim editor took just two years ago.

Hugh Hefner, Playboy founder and editor-in-chief, said Thursday Kaminsky will now develop special projects for the Chicago-based company, which, in addition to its namesake magazine, also has interests in online, licensing and cable TV ventures, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

Hefner, in a statement, praised Kaminksky for increasing newsstand sales and attracting new advertisers for the men's magazine.

"That was Jim's mission when he accepted his position with Playboy, and he has accomplished it," Hefner said.

During his tenure, Kaminsky was responsible for giving the magazine's format a makeover, with shorter, edgier articles and expanded lifestyle and products sections, as well as attracting new advertisers such as Tommy Hilfiger.

Playboy's newsstand sales rose 4.2 percent last year, but paid subscriptions fell 6.4 percent, for a total circulation decrease of 5.2 percent to 3.04 million.