LOS ANGELES—Adult industry publicist Brian Gross is featured in a prominent profile in this week's Las Vegas Weekly.
"Sex sells: The world of porn publicist Brian Gross" by Lynn Comella traces Gross' career arc from his work in the music business, to his first job in the adult business at Vivid Entertainment, to his current career as the head of his own public relations firm, BSG PR.
"He’s unassuming and clean-scrubbed, with an easy smile and nary a tattoo in sight," Comella said of Gross. "His buttoned-down image is more akin to choirboy—which he was in his youth—than edgy rabble-rouser."
Gross got his start in publicity in high school as an intern at Def American Recordings. He parlayed that experience into gigs with Lollapalooza, Warner Bros. and Elektra Records working with such rock acts as Metallica, Motley Crue and Pantera.
In 1999, Steve Hirsch hired Gross at Vivid Entertainment. Gross' PR savvy immediately helped Vivid move into the mainstream. The publicist was instrumental in getting Vivid contract girl Janine Lindemulder featured on the cover of Blink 182's album Enema of the State. The next year Raylene and Kobe Tai, both Vivid exclusives, danced on-stage at the Grammy Awards during Kid Rock's performance.
Gross was at the nexus of porn crossing into the mainstream as adult stars became mainstream celebrities.
"One way to understand Gross’ success and, by extension, the success of his clients, is that he doesn’t treat the adult industry differently than any other form of popular entertainment," Comella said. "His strategy—normalize porn and the people connected to it—is paying off."
After hanging out his own shingle in 2000, Gross has attracted a bevy of high-profile clients over the years including Sasha Grey, Joanna Angel and BurningAngel, Tabitha Stevens, Pink Visual, Penthouse, Metro Entertainment, LA Direct Models, and the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, just to name a few.
"I've known Lynn Comella for years now, and when she approached me about this, I didn't hesitate to give her my time and tell her some funny stories about my life," Gross told AVN. "To see this in lights is pretty cool, and I want to thank Lynn and the Las Vegas Weekly. Wasting precious web and print space on me is something I am definitely baffled by, but very much appreciate."
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Above: Gross, right, with KISS' Gene Simmons in 1999.
