LAS VEGAS—Every January, when the media spotlight shines on the AVN Awards and the Adult Entertainment Expo—which both took place in Las Vegas this past week—mainstream reporters deign to cover the adult industry. One particular example of said reportage is provided this year by CNBC, which is featuring on its website a series titled “The Porn Convention” that covers many aspects of AEE. (Click here for home page of series.)
Though some of the information provided will elicit comments like “Well, duh!” from adult industry insiders, it’s still interesting to see what attracts the attention of the mainstream.
Various features can be found on the site:
• “Porn Industry Looks For New Money Spinners,” which mentions Digital Playground’s move into selling toys (http://www.cnbc.com/id/40896321);
• “Already Mobile, Porn Industry Goes Live And Interactive,” which talks about forays by adult entertainment companies into the mobile space (http://www.cnbc.com/id/40923113);
• “Porn Companies Show 'Appitude' In Cashing In on App Craze” covers efforts by iP4P and Digital Playground to create applications for mobile devices (http://www.cnbc.com/id/40924930);
• “Newcomers To Porn Industry Count on New Business Model” interviews Jason Thompson, co-founder of Wet Leopard Studios, and two rising starlets: Chanel Preston, who just served as a trophy girl during the AVN Awards; and BiBi Jones, the newest Digital Playground contract girl (http://www.cnbc.com/id/40999613);
In addition, there are slide shows and an on-set interview with Digital Playground mega-star Jesse Jane.
Though some of the facts cited in the slide show covering "most popular porn stars" are just plain wrong, the choices are solid: Ashlynn Brooke, Jenna Haze, Jesse Jane, Lisa Ann, Evan Stone, Tori Black, Bobbi Starr, Lexi Belle, Kayden Kross, Belladonna, Sasha Grey and Joanna Angel.
The personalities chosen for the “power broker” slide show make for a diverse list: Attorney Paul Cambria, Vivid founder Steven Hirsch, Hustler mogul Larry Flynt, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, Digital Playground CEO Samantha Lewis, IVD’s Frank Kay, Doc Johnson’s Ron Braverman, L.A. Direct Model honcho Derek Hay, Castle Megastore CEO Mark Franks, Pink Visual president Allison Vivas, New Frontier Media CEO Michael Weiner, and Playboy Mansion gatekeeper Mary O’Connor.
