Kerr takes the high road

Yesterday, Gawker heard "whispers" that Four Corners Communications principal Drew Kerr — publicist for Radar, Maxim and Blender among other new media startups — was shutting down his operation, something Kerr denied.

Today, Kerr called us to clarify: he's shutting down his office and letting go of four staffers. But he's soldiering on — with or without Dennis' titles, which are on the block — as a "solo act" with four clients and an unnamed freelancer. Kerr says he has given his staff 60 days notice to find new gigs.

"It's something we've been planning since the beginning of the year," says Kerr, adding that the retooling of Four Corners with the pending sale of Maxim and Blender "more of a coincidence." As far as the firm's reported high turnover rate (roughly four staffers have left since the beginning of the year) Kerr says he chose not to replace them.

Meanwhile, rumors are flying about the Dennis sale, and Radar (also a coincidence?) is handicapping them.