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 © 2026 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

Full Circle Introduces 'My Buddy' Plug Collection

Full Circle has debuted its new My Buddy line of vibrating anal plugs.

Vibratex Names Kerrie McKinnon as Retail Specialist

Vibratex has named Kerrie McKinnon as its new retail specialist.

Orion Debuts 'Suspender Corset' From Cottelli Lingerie

Orion Wholesale has introduced a suspender corset from its Cottelli Lingerie line.

Male Power Debuts Limited-Edition 'Kilauea' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new limited-edition Kilauea collection of men's underwear.

Pjur Introduces 'Man Lust' Pleasure Gel

Pjur has debuted its new Man Lust stimulating pleasure gel with spilanthol.

Orion Debuts 'Duo Vibrator' From 'Couples Choice' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the Duo Vibrator from its Couples Choice line.

Kheper Releases New 'Reverse Adult Charades' Party Game

Kheper Games has released the new Reverse Adult Charades party game.

Nalpac/Entrenue, Jen Jenivive Sign US Distro Deal

Nalpac/Entrenue and U.K.-based author Jen Jenivive have signed an exclusive U.S. distribution deal for Jenivive’s books.

Male Power Debuts 'Open Ended' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new Open Ended collection of men's underwear.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Euro Lux' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Euro Lux line of lingerie.

Show More