Playboy Enterprises Inc. (PEI) has consolidated their existing online, cable, and DVD businesses into a restructured Playboy Entertainment Group.
By combining their online operations with their cable and DVD businesses, Playboy expects that the new operating structure will streamline operations, maximize return on content creation, and improve customer relations.
The publishing and licensing divisions of Playboy were not affected by the restructuring.
The consolidation is more than organizational – it's also physical. "The online division was in Chicago and New York. We're bringing the majority of that division to Los Angeles," Scott Barton, spokesman for Playboy told AVN.com.
James Griffiths, PEI senior executive vice president, has been named president of the new Playboy Entertainment Group. Griffiths is a veteran TV executive who came to Playboy from MGM in January.
"The similarities of these businesses combined with the evolution of digital distribution platforms have created an opportunity to create a more efficient and cost effective operating structure," Griffiths said.
Griffiths believes the new operational structure will allow Playboy to "capitalize on changing consumer media habits and ensure the effective use of our content across distribution platforms."
Reporting to Griffiths will be Ned Nalle, the president of programming, who will oversee content creation and acquisition; and Randy Nicolau, president of distribution, who will be responsible for global sales, marketing and distribution on all electronic platforms, including DVDs.
Nalle has been with Playboy as the president of programming for approximately six months. Nicolau has helmed Playboy.com for several years.
Playboy faces stiff competition from all angles as publications such as Maxim and Stuff continue to dominate the men's magazine market, and new Adult cable enterprises such as Hustler TV begin to encroach upon Playboy's cable stronghold.
