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Articles by Tod Hunter

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Adult Source Media Continues to Expand and Evolve

Adult Source Media made its mark as a distributor of erotic animation, but after more than 10 years, that’s not all, folks.

Tod Hunter ·
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Ballin’ Belle: Behind the Scenes With Belle Knox

"This girl is a natural,” observes Luc Wylder as he watches Belle Knox shooting her pretty-girl stills. “She knows exactly how to pose.” We’re in an improvised photo studio, a large seamless sheet of paper serving as a backdrop as Knox, nude except for strappy high-heel shoes, poses for Alexandra Silk’s beeping, flashing still camera.

Tod Hunter ·
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Icon Brands: Building an Icon

Launched in July 2011 as a boutique label focusing on a small number of branded lines focused on specific merchandising categories, Icon Brands starts its third year at the Summer 2013 ANME Show.

Tod Hunter ·

According to Planogram — Setting Up Retailers for Success

Planogram (also plan-o-gram) n. a diagram or model that indicates the placement of retail products on shelves in order to maximize sales.

Tod Hunter ·

Stars Shine at XRCO Awards

The X-Rated Critics Organization (XRCO) held its 29th awards ceremony on Thursday night before an invited audience of adult industry luminaries.

Sliquid: All-Natural Selection

Sliquid started as a quest by company owner Dean Elliott to find a personal lubricant that could be used by his wife, who was troubled by sensitivity to glycerin and other elements usually found in commercial personal lubes.

Tod Hunter ·
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Rabbit Regime — Vibratex Masters the Rabbit Vibe and More

Vibratex, Inc. was started in 1983 by businessman Howard S to manufacture and distribute the dual vibrators he had been importing from Japan for his adult stores.

Tod Hunter ·
opinion

Online Retailers Offer Forecast of Internet Shopping Trends

XBIZ made a quick survey of online retailers to get a feel for the upcoming trends and their expectations for the upcoming selling season.

Tod Hunter ·
opinion

Fifty Shades’ of Opportunity

The book “Fifty Shades of Grey” and its follow-ups “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed” have become a worldwide phenomenon, with publishing rights sold in more than 35 countries and sales reported at 10 million copies worldwide.

Tod Hunter ·

Would You Like Lube With That?

In San Diego, the F Street chain of adult stores has had a longstanding policy: “There is no sale of an adult product to which you cannot add lube.” Retailers who keep that in mind can increase their sales of lube by increasing the visibility of lube products and merchandising them as an add-on to other items.

Tod Hunter ·

28th XRCO Awards Honor Industry's Finest

The X-Rated Critics Organization announced the winners of its 28th annual awards at a ceremony at The Highlands at the Hollywood & Highland Center Thursday night.

Seasonal Success

The adult retail industry has embarked on its lengthy holiday season — starting with Halloween and extending to Valentine’s Day. XBIZ spoke with Camilla Lombard, events and publicity manager for San Franciscobased Good Vibrations, and Martin Walker, director of marketing and visual merchandising for PeeKay Inc., which operates the Lovers, ConRev, and A Touch of Romance stores, for their insider’s view on what’s going to be hot during the holiday season.

Tod Hunter ·

Scala Celebrates 40 Years

More than 400 guests celebrated the 40th anniversary of European adult-products distributor Scala at a dinner party at Van Der Valk hotel in Almere on March 15. The celebration started with a toast from Serge van der Hooft, CEO of Scala parent company Beate Uhse AG, who thanked the company’s clients, suppliers and the entire Scala team for their support and effort during the last years. Scala was purchased by Beate Uhse in 1999.

Tod Hunter ·
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Power Branding

It started with a bullet vibrator. The original Power Bullet vibrator caused a sensation when it came out in 2005. Silver colored, with a small rubber button on one end, the two-inch vibrator was waterproof, operated on watch batteries, and had enough vibration power to wiggle itself out of an open hand.

Tod Hunter ·
opinion

FDA: Fair Fight?

In December, the Food and Drug Administration announced a crackdown on weight loss, bodybuilding and sexual enhancement supplements that contain potentially dangerous ingredients.

Tod Hunter ·
profile

CommerceGate Sets its Sights on U.S. Markets

When Internet payment processor CommerceGate started in 2005, its main focus was offering credit card and payment processing for the European market for U.S. and European clients.

Tod Hunter ·

Mom & Pop Retailers Face the Economy

The economic fallout extends in the U.S. adult industry from the largest production companies to the smallest mom and pop retail operations. XBIZ spoke to small retailers across the country to see how they are dealing with the economic situation: Are they making changes in inventory, what kind of advertising and promotion do they do and is business increasing or declining?

Tod Hunter ·
profile

CashDorado Milks Cash Cow

Germany-based hardcore affiliate program CashDorado is looking to expand its reach outside the German-speaking countries of Europe.

Tod Hunter ·

AEBN Exclusively Streaming X-Play's 'Not The Cosbys XXX'

"Not The Cosbys XXX" is the fifth parody title from X-Play available from AEBN, following the early summer debut of "Not Three's Company XXX."

XFANZ TV Takes Another Look at X-Play's Latest 'Bradys' Parody

"Not the Bradys" director Will Ryder tells XFANZ that he's shooting two productions at once.

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