CANOGA PARK, Calif. - Channel 1 Releasing co-founder and partner Rob Novinger has been appointed to the board of directors for the Free Speech Coalition.
The FSC is the trade and lobbying association of the adult entertainment industry. C1R is one of the largest gay production companies in the adult industry.
Novinger fills the board seat recently vacated by Bijou Video founder Steven Toushin.
"The FSC provides an important bridge between the adult industry and the different legislative offices," Novinger said. "The FSC also, in many ways, legitimizes the adult industry in the eyes of the outside world by demonstrating the industry's desire to conduct business ethically, yet profitably. Members of the FSC become part of a larger whole that is able to unite against oppressive legislation and to charter territory that a single adult business owner could not charter alone."
Novinger has broad experience in many areas of the industry including DVD, mail-order and video-on-demand distribution; video and website production; live Internet shows; novelty sales and distribution and retail operations. He is a frequent speaker at educational seminars and on industry panels for trade shows. He said he feels his background has given him perspective regarding legislative, legal and other issues challenging the industry in the new-media environment.
"The biggest challenge facing our industry today is the need for innovation and change," Novinger said. "The economic crisis, piracy, a shift in consumer spending, etc. all have caused the industry to suffer financially and have lead to many unethical business practices that, in my opinion, will lead to harsher legislation. We, as an industry, need to come up with fresh, new ways to market and sell our products rather than try to overly exploit what we are accustomed to.
"I am ecstatic that [Executive Director] Diane Duke and the FSC are spearheading combat on piracy, and I am incredibly excited to be a part of the battle," he added. "I think [the FSC will play] a huge roll in how well the adult industry does over the next few years. I am also looking forward to being immersed in the many First Amendment battles that have continued to be a thorn in the side of the adult industry for years."
Said Duke, "With Rob's diverse background and level-headedness, he will be an asset to the board of directors and bring a wealth of experience, as well as a fresh outlook, to the future of FSC."
For more information about FSC, visit FreeSpeechCoalition.com.
