Christie Hefner is stepping down as the CEO of Playboy Enterprises to pursue other ventures.  Revenue has been in a steep decline at Playboy for several quarters.  Jerome Kern will take over as the temporary CEO when Hefner steps down on January 31st.

In the announcement, Hefner said that “just as this country is embracing change in the form of new leadership, I have decided that now is the time to make changes in my own life as well” but gave no other specific reasons for her departure.

She leaves as the company remains mired in the loss column, stung by charges and dwindling revenue across almost all of its divisions.

Media companies have been hit hard in the current recession, and those like Playboy have not been exempted. Skittish advertisers often cut their ad budgets first, while consumers can find a plethora of free adult fare online and have become increasingly reluctant to pay for it.

Several Playmate friends have told me for years that they believe Christie had taken Playboy away from it’s classy roots to push and allow for a more vulgar form of photos and art in the magazine.  I don’t see Playboy going bankrupt and disappearing but they for sure have to make some smart changes and quick.

Christie Ann Hefner is the daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.  She was named one of the world’s most powerful women by Forbes magazine in 2005.