Playboy, Manwin Strike Online, TV Deal

LOS ANGELES — Playboy Enterprises on Friday said it struck an agreement in principle with the Manwin Group relating to its online and TV businesses.

The deal, which hasn't yet closed, provides that Manwin will be an operating partner for certain Playboy-branded online and entertainment businesses under the label Playboy Plus Entertainment.

Since February, rumors have swirled in the adult industry over a potential Playboy-Manwin deal that would include all of Playboy's online properties.The deal made public Friday presumably includes all of its websites, but representatives from both Playboy and Manwin couldn't immediately confirm that to XBIZ.

Under the terms of the agreement, Playboy will retain oversight of brand management. Additional terms of the agreement, weren't disclosed.

Playboy CEO Scott Flanders said the partnership is another step in turning Playboy from an operator of a range of media and licensing businesses to a brand management company.

"We began this process with the successful outsourcing of our publishing functions and later partnering to grow consumer-products licensing opportunities in Asia and Europe," Flanders said.

"In Manwin, we have found another strong and experienced partner, and believe that this agreement will benefit our customers, distributors and advertisers."

Alta Loma Entertainment, Playboy's mainstream production company that develops, produces and distributes original content to TV networks and film studios, won't be affected by the agreement.

Fabian Thylmann, managing partner of Manwin,said that "there is no doubt that Playboy Enterprises has created a brand that is the epitome of sexy, fun indulgence."

"Manwin will help this prestigious name capture both TV and the digital age in the spirit in which it was created. Manwin's scale and expertise will catapult the brand in a way that will benefit all our partners, as well as Playboy fans."

Manwin operates Brazzers, YouPorn and Twistys, as well as numerous other brands.