UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Spartacus Enterprises celebrated its 20th Anniversary during the 2007 AVN Novelty Expo in Universal City, Calif.
"We spent the first decade building our reputation based on quality and consistency," explained Vice President, Laurie Bergquist. "The second decade's focus has been packaging our highly reputable products and branding our name."
Buyers at ANE responded enthusiastically to the new Spartacus packaging, according to Art Director Carmel Weaver. "There was overwhelming positive feedback about our newest package designs," Weaver said. "Seeing the packages in person assured buyers that our products will jump off the shelves."
Sales and Marketing Manager Sean Christensen shared his take on the sources of Spartacus' growth: "I think that in today's world, even mainstream adult shops feel that they need a nipple clamp line, a cock ring line, [and] selection of restraints. These things are no longer too out there for mainstream adult retailers to carry. This was not the case 20 years ago."
Berquist's father Albert Bedrosian founded Spartacus in 1987, having worked in the adult bookstore business prior to the days of VHS. Bedrosian & Co. made its initial foray into the world of manufacturing with a line of metal nipple clamps, which were soon followed by rubber, metal, and leather goods. Today, Spartacus manufacturers an entire bondage and fetish product line, however nipple clamps and cock rings remain the company's best sellers by volume.
Despite its growth as a manufacturer, Spartacus has not forgotten its retail roots. To this day, it maintains to retail locations in Portland, which help in understanding the needs and goals of adult stores everywhere.
"Working with end users and retail staff is educational," Christensen continued. "Sometimes, like with the Pleasure Harness, our retail customers even help us come up with new products. We want to help everyone who sells our products."
Spartacus celebrated its two decades of success at a cocktail party Tuesday night after the ANE show in the Hilton Club Room. A photo gallery of the evening can be viewed by clicking here.
