If you’re a retailer of adult content, you don’t need AVN to tell you that Pure Play Media has been a veritable magnet for porn studios, drawing studios from around the world looking to break into the U.S. market, as well as homegrown producers who need help getting their DVDs into the hands of consumers.
This growing number of studios has led to a roster that ranges widely through all genres and niches. We wanted to find out more about how this adult DVD distributor helps its studios find shelf space in a competitive marketplace, and who better to talk to than Adam H., Pure Play Media’s vice president?
AVN: Dazzle us with stats. How many studios have been added to the Pure Play roster since you’ve been at the helm? And how many titles do you release?
Adam H.: At last count, 43 production companies have been added to the Pure Play Media roster in the two and a half years I’ve been with Pure Play Media. As of late, we have consistently put out around 20 to 30 titles a week, at upwards of 100 releases a month.
What is the most prolific studio you carry? (Porno Dan’s, perhaps? He must be one of the busiest men in porn!)
Some of our studios have really ramped up production this year. Score, Naughty America, Desperate Pleasures, Roman Video and Porno Dan Productions are certainly among the most prolific on the Pure Play Media roster.
Conversely, which studio do you wish produced MORE content?
When there is an increased demand for a certain type of content, we wish that the category specialists on our roster produced more of that content to meet and exceed that demand. But we love all of our studios! It is always our wish that our production companies have the ability to turn out a volume of quality content for their continued success and growth.
Pure Play distributes a wide array of content, from TroubleFilms’ feminist porn to the most hardcore gonzo. Are there any holes you’re still looking to fill?
We look to supply our customers with the content they demand, and there will always be holes to fill, literally and figuratively! Pure Play Media will continue to keep our ear to the ground.
Are there any trends in the way retailers are buying titles? Do they go more for diversity rather than looking for the big hit?
Pure Play Media releases big hit titles as well as a wide array of genre releases. Retailers know that they can come to Pure Play Media to cover all of their needs.
Do you get requests from retailers for certain types of content or services? Can you give an example when this type of feedback led Pure Play to seek out a particular studio?
Retailers are great with giving us feedback about our catalog and services. We recently got a request for BBW content, and took that request very seriously. We just signed on with Chubby and Cute Studios—a BBW production company with all-new content.
In addition to the studios producing new content, you also carry back catalogs for older entities like Roman Video and Mercenary Pictures. Are there particular genres that maintain strong sales long after their release?
To begin with, Roman Video and Mercenary Pictures are strong lines with unbeatable content, which is also why we carry studios like Anabolic and Seymore Butts, the latter of which is putting out new content with Pure Play Media next month [Tushy Anyone 2: Backdoor Ball Girls]. These are brands that customers know by name and continue to ask for. Companies with this kind of brand recognition maintain strong sales long after release.
Pure Play now distributes Airerose Entertainment, winner of an AVN Award for Best New Imprint. Is this the most ambitious of the Pure Play studios? How did its distribution strategy change when you switched over to Pure Play?
Airerose Entertainment is a brand-new studio, now a year and change old. An AVN Award for Best New Imprint is certainly a mark of an ambitious company, and it continues to aim for high-end gonzo content. Airerose’s distribution strategy has not changed since it has changed distributors, nor has Pure Play’s. It’s just a great fit for both parties.
What measures can studios take to help Pure Play sell their content? Are there any studios who make this kind of effort?
Pure Play Media works hand in hand with its studios to let us know about big titles they’d like to give an extra push, engage us and fans on social media, and work with us to get reviewers advance screeners. This is how studios help distributors sell their content. Not only does this rapport allow us to get their content out there with the promo elements to create a pre-release buzz, this type of regular communication keeps us in touch and on the same page.
What would you say is Pure Play’s greatest strength?
Our greatest strengths are our loyal customer base and our ability to treat studios like they’re a part of the family. Every day, we are improving our relationship with the fans, which continues to evolve and grow with every new release. We encourage fans and customers to reach out to us on Twitter (@PurePlayMedia) and let us know what else they’d like to see!
