profile

WIA Profile: Sabrina Miller

Each month, industry news media organization XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives.

How did you get into the business?

I had spent most of my career marketing for mainstream companies, including several years as the online marketing manager for Tower Records ...

I had spent most of my career marketing for mainstream companies, including several years as the online marketing manager for Tower Records, when I was approached to join Gamma. At the time, I was much more familiar with promoting new albums than porn stars but, it being the height of the recession; I figured sex would be more stable than CDs. Plus, I was raised in a left-of-left eccentric household so not much shocks me.

What in your background prepared you for what you are doing now?

After University, my first job was working for a second hand bookshop where I spent the majority of my time peddling vintage men’s magazines online — including importing large collections of Latin American publications from Uruguay and auctioning them off on eBay to eager collectors. I could probably win any trivia contest on 1940s-1950s garter girls — unless, of course, I was up against Dian Hanson. When I interviewed with Gamma, I was able to take this unconventional knowledge and use it as experience on my resume!

What do you see as the challenges of working in the adult online business? How do you overcome them?

There are certainly stigmas that exist about the adult industry — and probably always will. In my experience, I have spoken with people who truly believe adult businesses are run out of darkly lit basements by perverts in devil costumes. Being a woman in this business can sometimes lead to even wilder misconceptions. As someone who has worked for both large and small mainstream businesses, I stand by the fact that working for Gamma has been the absolute best business environment of my career. As an adult marketer, the opportunities to be progressive, bold, and out-ofthe-box far exceed any mainstream projects I have been involved in. Plus, the adult industry basically invented online marketing … so there is a ton of knowledge and experience to learn from.

Does your work life affect your personal life?

My partner always knows when I’ve been in the office at home — there are 10 windows of porn open on the computer, scribbled notes about the psychology of cam enthusiasts crumpled around the trash can, and a stack of porn DVDs on the desk for “research” purposes. Anyone else might get a stern lecture... but, for us, it just means I’m putting in a little extra work. I also usually have the best work stories to share at potlucks.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

To Cloud or Not to Cloud, That Is the Question

Let’s be honest. It just sounds way cooler to say your business is “in the cloud,” right? Buzzwords make everything sound chic and relevant. In fact, someone uninformed might even assume that any hosting that is not in the cloud is inferior. So what’s the truth?

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Upcoming Visa Price Changes to Registration, Transaction Fees

Visa is updating its fee structure. Effective April 1, both the card brand’s initial nonrefundable application fee and annual renewal fee will increase from $500 to $950. Visa is also introducing a fee of 10 cents for each transaction, and 10 basis points — 0.1% — on the payment volume of certain merchant accounts.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Unpacking the New Digital Services Act

Do you hear the word “regulation” and get nervous? When it comes to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), you shouldn’t worry. If you’re complying with the most up-to-date card brand regulations, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

The Perils of Relying on ChatGPT for Legal Advice

It surprised me how many people admitted that they had used ChatGPT or similar services either to draft legal documents or to provide legal advice. “Surprised” is probably an understatement of my reaction to learning about this, as “horrified” more accurately describes my emotional response.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Free Agent Auteur: Casey Calvert Expands Her Directing Horizon

Now, having brought that highly-awarded polyamory trilogy to a close, Calvert is concluding the exclusive Lust Cinema directing chapter of her career and charting a new course out into open creative waters as a free agent.

Alejandro Freixes ·
profile

WIA Profile: Holly Randall

If you’re one of the many regular listeners to Holly Randall’s celebrated podcast, you are already familiar with her charming intro spiel: “Hi, I’m Holly Randall and welcome to my podcast, ‘Holly Randall Unfiltered.’ This is the show about sex, the adult industry and the people in it.

Women In Adult ·
trends

What's Hot Now: Leading Content Players on Trending Genres, Monetization Strategies

The juggernaut creator economy hurtles along, fueled by ever-ascendant demand for personality-based authenticity and intimacy — yet any reports of the demise of the traditional paysite are greatly exaggerated.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

An Ethical Approach to Global Tech Staffing

One thing my 24-year career as a technologist working to support the online adult entertainment industry has taught me about is the power of global staffing. Without a doubt, I have achieved significantly more business success as a direct result of hiring abroad.

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Finding the Right Payment Partner

Whenever I am talking with businesses that are just getting started, one particular question comes up a lot: “How do I get a merchant account?” It’s a simple question, but it has a complicated answer.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

The Taxman Cometh for Every Business

February may be the month of romance, but it is also a time when we need to think about something that inspires very little love: taxes. April is not far away, and the taxman is always waiting. This year, federal and most state income taxes are due Monday, April 15.

Cathy Beardsley ·
Show More