Petersen Companies Names James Graham

15 July 1998

    NEW YORK, July 14 -- James D. Dunning, Jr., Chairman and CEO
of The Petersen Companies, Inc. , announced today the appointment
of James D. Graham as Senior Vice-President, Automotive.  Graham will be
responsible for all advertising and marketing asset sales for the Automotive
Network.  He will be based in New York and will report to James Guthrie,
Executive VP, Marketing and Sales.
    Dunning said, "Jim will greatly enhance Petersen's already powerful
presence in special interest titles that reach highly desirable target
audiences with frequency.  As a seasoned marketing executive, he will package
Petersen's other marketing resources such as television, licensing, trade
shows, consumer events, databases, custom publishing and retail promotions.
He will work closely with Petersen's publishers and group Presidents to
further distinguish Petersen as our advertisers' and customers' complete
marketing solutions company."
    Guthrie added, "Jim's automotive advertising and marketing experience will
be a tremendous asset for Petersen.  His relationships and respect in the
industry will benefit our advertisers by allowing him to more effectively help
them tailor advertising and marketing solutions programs."
    Graham, 47, has over 20 years of experience in the publishing business as
a sales and marketing executive.  At Time Inc., Graham served in several
positions, most recently as Sr. VP Sales and Marketing.  He was responsible
for managing the corporate sales and marketing staff as well as the corporate
advertising sales strategy, and achieved consecutive double digit advertising
growth.  He also served as VP Corporate Sales, National Sales Manger for
Fortune magazine and other sales related positions while at Time, Inc.  Graham
has held account executive positions at Creative Advertising and Charles E.
Merrill Publishing.  Graham is a graduate of Central Michigan University.
    The Petersen Companies, Inc., is a leading multimedia marketing solutions
and brand development company, with a diverse portfolio of more than
116 special-interest magazines, television programs, licensing, trade shows,
consumer events, databases, custom publishing and retail promotions.  Petersen
publications deliver nearly 77 million readers, including nearly 60 million
adults and over 17 million teens.  Petersen's internationally-recognized
magazines include MOTOR TREND, HOT ROD, TEEN, SPORT, HUNTING, SKIN DIVER,
MOTORCYCLIST AND 4-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD.  The Petersen Companies, Inc. is traded
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PTN.