CHATSWORTH, Calif. – Following the announcement that AVN® Media Network will consolidate all of its publications under its flagship title, AVN, beginning in September, the company on Tuesday named industry veteran Tony Lovett as vice president of AVN Media Network and publisher of the new magazine.
Lovett, the former publisher and editor of AVN Online and current publisher and editor-in-chief of AVN Novelty Business, has been around the industry almost as long as AVN has been in circulation.
“I have witnessed incredible changes in this business in the past three decades," Lovett said, “and AVN has been there every step of the way, often paving the way. Few adult brands have the kind of mainstream recognition AVN enjoys, and I’m pleased to have been chosen to help the company make its most important transition yet."
According to AVN Media Network Chief Executive Officer Darren Roberts, “Tony’s extensive experience and knowledge in publishing, combined with the deep relationships he has built in the adult industry, position him well to lead AVN Magazine in his new capacity. As a VP, Tony has played a significant role in our business planning and continues to be instrumental in strengthening the company's consolidation goals and content-delivery plans."
Lovett joined AVN in 2005 with more than 20 years' experience in journalism, advertising, film production and graphic design. As a producer and writer, he helped launch the careers of dozens of noteworthy directors, from Greg Dark to Michael Ninn. The recipient of numerous AVN Awards, he is also the co-author of the bestselling book, L.A. Bizarro, and his writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, Playboy and L.A. Weekly magazines, among others.
On Monday AVN Media Network announced it would consolidate its core trade publications—AVN, AVN Online, AVN Novelty Business and GAYVN—under the singular banner of AVN Magazine, which will receive a makeover for the September 2009 relaunch. The company will continue to produce supplements (like Intimate for the intimate apparel industry) to cover new and developing sectors related to the adult market. Lovett sees AVN’s consolidation as the next logical step in the evolution of the adult industry’s premier media network.
“To me, what’s happening in the adult market is a lot like the Big Bang theory," he said. "Some scientists say the universe is expanding but will eventually contract. In a similar way, video, DVD, internet, novelty—the industry exploded into all these different sectors, but now they're starting to coalesce. Production companies want to make toys. Toy companies want to get online. Online companies are interested in DVD distribution. It’s all starting to gel.
“This move on AVN's part not only reflects the direction in which the industry itself is heading, but it’s also economically and environmentally sound,” he added. “It just makes sense.”
For more information, contact:
Tony Lovett
Publisher/VP
AVN Magazine
818.718.5788
[email protected]
Cindy Cheer
AVN Media Network
818.718.5788
[email protected]
