Playboy Pulling a Willy Wonka, Plans to Hide 'Golden Tickets'

HOLMBY HILLS, Calif. — In a bid to ramp up magazine sales, Playboy Enterprises said on Wednesday that it plans on inserting 10 "golden tickets" inside randomly selected newsstand copies of Playboy's December issue.

Playboy says founder Hugh Hefner will party with the 10 winners — all will be able to bring a guest — alongside celebrities and a bevy of Playmates.

The winners will be shuttled to August's Midsummer Night's Dream Party after being flown into Los Angeles. Playboy also is throwing in two nights accommodation at the Petit Ermitage in West Hollywood and dinner at Simon LA at Sofitel Los Angeles.

"For the first time in Playboy's history, we're giving 10 readers the opportunity to go where few have gone before — the Playboy Mansion — and enjoy one of the best parties of the year," Playboy founder Hugh Hefner said. "I hope the winners are ready for the experience of a lifetime."

Playboy's promotion was dreamed up by Editorial Director Jimmy Jellineck, who was thinking about Willy Wonka, the eccentric candy maker of Roald Dahl's children's book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Wonka, in the book, hides five golden tickets in the wrappers of chocolate bars. Children from around the world search for them in order to win a trip to his candy factory.

Apparently, Jellineck wasn't the only one trying to connect Willy Wonka-style golden ticket giveaways.

On Wednesday, Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon also announced details of a golden ticket giveaway. His promotion is to coincide with the release of his new book.

One hundred golden tickets will be placed randomly into copies of "Mr. Rotten’s Scrapbook," on sale Dec. 1.

Each lucky recipient of the golden ticket will win a 10-minute webcam conversation with the singer.

Playboy's December issue goes on sale Friday.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 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 News

Satisfyer Signs On as Sponsor of XBIZ Honors After-Party

Satisfyer has enlisted as the sponsor of the XBIZ Honors after-party, a capstone celebration to the Pleasure Industry’s Biggest Night™.

Lovense 'Spinel' Vibrator Featured in Wired Review

Lovense's Spinel mini sex machine is featured in a new review on Wired.com.

Creative Conceptions Now Shipping Skins Sexual Health 'Kegels'

Creative Conceptions is now shipping the new Skins Sexual Health kegel balls.

Paradise to Host 'Happy Hour' Event at XBIZ Expo

Paradise Pleasure Products will host a special Happy Hour event during XBIZ Expo 2026.

Fleshlight, Ricky's Room Team Up to Launch New Product Line

Fleshlight and Ricky's Room have partnered to launch the new Fleshlight x Ricky's Room collection.

VVD Debuts Limited-Edition 'Rider Desire Black' Sex Machine

Pleasure brand VVD has introduced its limited-edition Rider Desire Black sex machine.

b-Vibe to Host 'Pottery & Sip' Event at XBIZ Expo

B-Vibe will host a “Mold Your Fantasy: A Pottery & Sip Experience” in partnership with Pot Studio LA during XBIZ Expo 2026.

LELO Toys Featured on Netflix's 'Emily in Paris'

LELO's Sona 2 Cruise and Soraya Wave appear in episode seven of the latest season of Netflix's "Emily in Paris."

Ball & Chain Debuts New 'Sex Dice' Game

Ball & Chain has introduced its Really Big Sex Position Dice game.

Wicked Sensual Care Debuts New Lube, Kits

Wicked Sensual Care (WSC) has introduced its first aloe-based lubricant and two new Adventure kits.

Show More