Howard Levine Parts Ways With Pulse, Vivid

LOS ANGELES — Veteran sales executive Howard Levine told XBIZ Thursday he has parted ways Pulse Distribution, where he had been the national sales manager for Vivid Entertainment Group.

“It’s an amicable split,” Levine said. “[Pulse owners] Jim Kohls and Mark Hamilton have been extremely kind to me, they are great guys. … Everything is good, I’m just moving onto bigger and better things.”

Levine said that he is in the midst of exploring several new endeavors both inside and outside the adult industry.

“I have offers from a bunch of different companies that I’m entertaining right now,” he said.

Levine in July 2009 returned to sell Vivid’s line of DVDs after a three-year hiatus, when he sold Club Jenna product. He had previously sold Vivid movies for 17 consecutive years.

In a joint statement, Pulse's Kohls and Hamilton said, “We’ve enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Howard, and he leaves with our very best wishes. Howard has a great reputation with so many people in the industry that we are sure he’ll be a great success in his next venture.”

Pulse Distribution sales vet Hyland Church is currently representing the Vivid line of DVDs, Vivid's VP of Production Marci Hirsch confirmed.

Meanwhile, Levine on Wednesday shot an episode of “NCIS LA” that will air in two weeks on CBS.

“I was a convict,” Levine said of his role. “I got some really great camera time with LL Cool J.”

Last week the part-time actor also shot an episode of “Southland” that will air in late December on TNT.

“I was an observer watching somebody get shot,” he said.

A member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1985, Levine has appeared on three straight seasons of “Sons of Anarchy" on FX.

“I just finished the third season. And I did technical directing on ‘Sons’ in Season Two," he said. "That was me doing all the technical directing on the porn stuff so I’ve been involved in that in the last couple of years. It’s actually been pretty good and I really enjoy doing that."

Levine, who was in the classic movie "The Deer Hunter" in 1978, continued, “I don’t have the illusion, or delusion, that I’m going to be a Hollywood star at any time. It’s just a little hobby and it’s fun, and I like it. I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be the next Brad Pitt.”

In terms of adult, Levine assured, "I’ll be back in the adult business in January."

"I have 25-plus years of experience and relationships," he said. "My customers have been calling me for the last week and a half and have been really supportive. Wherever I’m going I have great faith that my customer base will follow.”

To contact Levine, email him at howard@socal.rr.com.

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

Ashby Winter Performs Her 1st DP in Finale of VMG Cross-Site 'In Vogue' Sequel

Ashby Winter performs her first DP alongside Dimitri Shadow and Troy Francisco in the final scene from Vixen Media Group (VMG) cross-site feature "In Vogue 2."

Addison Vodka on Playing Nice - and Playing Rough

‘It’s such a funny story,” says Addison Vodka, tossing her long, beachy blonde waves over her shoulder. “I discovered that my boyfriend at the time was using camming websites behind my back. So I was like, ‘Well, if you’re going to go on there, then I’m just going to go on there.’”

Rana Katana Stars in Latest From TransAngels

Rana Katana stars with Raj and Ram Sivan in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Submissive Hookah Slut.”

Ana Foxxx Returns to Elegant Angel for 'A Night Out'

Ana Foxxx stars with Chad Alva in the new release from Elegant Angel, titled “A Night Out.”

Nothosaur Marks Pride Month With Rainbow-Colored Pleasure Products

Pleasure brand Nothosaur has introduced its rainbow color series of fantasy dildos for Pride month.

ULoversDoll Debuts Transgender Love Dolls

ULoversDoll has introduced a new line of transgender dolls from its Dolls Castle collection.

Scarlett Alexis, Chloe Surreal Topline 'Lesbian Stunners 2' From Lesbian X

Scarlett Alexis and Chloe Surreal headline the second volume of "Lesbian Stunners" from X Empire studio brand Lesbian X.

'Golden Age' Director Paul Thomas Passes Away at 76

Legendary adult filmmaker Paul Thomas has passed away after spending most of his life in the porn business. He was 76.

Unpacking the Pleasure Industry's Friend-or-Foe Status With Mainstream Outlets

Over the years, pleasure products have increasingly made their way into big-box stores and mainstream marketing channels. As a result, brands now face a complicated balancing act.

We-Vibe to Launch Retail Summer Sales Contest

We-Vibe has announced its Summer Sales contest for all North American retail staff members, running from July 3 through Aug. 7.

Show More