SAN FRANCISCO — Bob Johnson, the writer, producer and adult industry veteran, on Monday was awarded the degree of Doctor of Human Sexuality by The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), making him the first person ever designated as a historian-journalist to receive the honor.
Johnson joins adult industry colleagues Annie Sprinkle, Nina Hartley, Candida Royalle, and the late Gloria Leonard, along with mainstream personalities Emily Morse, (“Sex With Emily”), Dr. Ava Cadell (author of “Neuroloveology”), Dr. Sadie Allison (author of the “Tickle Kitty” series), and a number of other sexperts who have received advanced doctorate degrees from the IASHS. He said he hopes to use his expertise to bring a fresh male perspective to the ever-growing field of sexology with a particular focus on helping companies improve their branding in the burgeoning arena.
Dr. Ted McIlvenna, director and founder of the IASHS, said that Johnson’s 25-plus years of experience in a broad range of adult segments including publishing, film and video production, website creation and overall depth of knowledge of the industry was the impetus for IASHS to present him with the prestigious accolade. Johnson has held executive positions at Playboy Enterprises, Vivid Entertainment, High Society, Cheri and Playgirl magazines, and Private U.S.A. He is a contributing writer for Penthouse magazine and is currently the freelance features editor at XBIZ.
“The graduate Sexuality degree conferred upon Bob clearly validates his unique grasp of both human sexuality and also the discipline of erotology — the history of our erotic heritage of the 20th and now 21st centuries,” McIlvenna said.
He added, "Over the many years we have been in existence we have honored people such as actors, actresses, producers and scholars; Bob is the first journalist honored for his many contributions and insights in these exciting and fast-growing fields of study and practice. We’re proud to have him as part of our alumni and we’re sure he will continue to contribute valuable insight in the developing fields of sexology and erotology."
McIlvenna further explained that erotology is the study and understanding of the various media of erotic expression and the uniqueness associated with each, such as painting, photography, literature, film, video, and computers.
“It is quite an honor to receive this prestigious acknowledgment considering the august group of professionals, performers and creators who are part of the Institute’s alumni,” Johnson said. “And with its decades of academic excellence with roots to Wardell B. Pomeroy, a co-author of the historic ‘Kinsey Reports,’ this recognition from the Institute noting both my grasp of human sexuality and the recent history of sexual and erotic material is indeed a major highlight of my career. Many thanks to Dr. McIlvenna and the Institute.”
Over the course of his career, Johnson has logged in thousands of hours of analysis of what adult consumers want in products (and their respective predilections concerning sexuality — both overt and forbidden) through focus groups, individuals, sales figures, and adult industry professionals.
The honor isn’t the only first for Johnson. He was the first full-time employee ever to be hired by Playboy directly from the adult industry, helping to create Playboy’s SpiceXXX network of websites. He was also a creator and founder of Spice Studio’s ClubJenna “UndrGrnd” and “Downtown” video imprints.
With his years of experience disseminating just what consumers want when it comes to adult content, materials and novelties, Johnson has amassed an abundance of information that is a virtual treasure trove or valuable, insightful and priceless marketing intelligence and data.
In his soon to debut website, TheSexSage.com, Johnson said he will focus on assisting individuals and companies on sex-positive practices and target how sexual preferences and interests translate to marketing strategies and sales.
Johnson can be reached at DrBob@TheSexSage.com, or BJohnson@xbiz.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheSexSage.
