Jan 29, 2021 11:46 AM PST

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — XR Brands is celebrating a sweep of the recent awards season, which includes the 2021 XBIZ Exec Awards win by Josh Ortiz as “Brand Ambassador of the Year” and the 2021 XBIZ Award for “BDSM Pleasure Products Company of the Year.”

XR was also recently named “Best BDSM Company” by the 2020 Sign Magazine Awards, recognizing the company’s expertise in the BDSM and fetish pleasure products category.

“These awards mark an incredible start to the year with recognition not only for its superior product offerings but also for its hard work building and maintaining customer relationships and serving interests often left underserved or misunderstood,” noted a rep.

“XR’s reputation has remained deeply rooted in the BDSM and fetish categories thanks to the success of its signature fetish-focused brands, including the retailer-favorite Master Series fetish tools, the introduction of the Puppy Play Kit and other roleplay essentials, brand-new rimming and anal play products and more,” the rep continued. “With brands made for all experience and curiosity levels, XR never fails to support adult stores with exactly what shoppers want, ask for and get excited about.”

President Rebecca Weinberg siad the company is “focused on supporting retailers not only with competitively priced, in-demand fetish and BDSM tools but also with outstanding customer support.”

“In addition to our recent product releases, our sales representative Josh Ortiz has provided regularly virtual product trainings and sex ed sessions through his live ‘Dad Bod Dom’ workshops — which have been a huge hit,” she added. “We’d like to thank everyone who voted for us, Josh and our products for these special awards and we look forward to making 2021 a year to remember.”

Click here for a list of 2021 XBIZ Honors retail industry winners.

For additional details and to place an order, visit XRBrands.com and contact the company at info@xrbrands.com.

WASHINGTON — A spokesperson for Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) confirmed to XBIZ today that the new version of the SISEA bill he co-sponsored last year will “ensure that the rights of consensual actors” in this adult industry will “continue to be protected.”

“Right now, Senator Merkley and his staff are in listening mode,” Deputy Communications Director Martina McLennan told XBIZ in response to questions about the new version of SISEA.

The “Stop Internet Sexual Exploitation Act,” intended to “prevent the uploading of pornographic images to online platforms without the consent of the individuals in the images,” was co-introduced last December by Merkley and Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), but died without passing the committee stage before the end of the last Congress.

A revised version of the bill is expected to be re-introduced during the current Congress, which began earlier this month.

McLennan told XBIZ that Merkley’s office is currently conducting research “to gather more information and feedback about how this proposed legislation could affect content creators and others online, to ensure that the rights of consensual actors in this space will continue to be protected.”

In response to XBIZ’s questions about the timetable for re-introducing the new version of SISEA, McLennan said that “no final decisions have been made at this point about details for the bill’s reintroduction in this Congress.”

“Senator Merkley remains committed to ensuring that the worst moments of people’s lives cannot be perpetually exploited and abused for profit on the internet, while also protecting the rights of consenting adults to create and share content online,” McLennan added.

Alana Evans, president of adult performers’ union APAG, was one of the stakeholders who earlier this month held a meeting with Merkley’s office to advocate for the free expression rights of adult performers, who had vocally criticized the phrasing of SISEA.

On January 20, APAG released a statement stating that “the meeting went very well, with Merkley’s staff being responsive, concerned and open to hearing our opinions about the legislation.”

APAG discussed a number of issues brought up by adult performers and sex workers concerning the controversial bill including language that “would inadvertently limit artists from being able share artist renditions of NSFW work material, including constitutionally protected art and even comics,” and the bill’s concerning establishment of an ill-defined new category of “pornographic website.”

“When the meeting came to a close,” the APAG statement concluded, “we were offered the opportunity to stay in communication with their staff to be involved as the bill is shaped for future legislative intentions. We will maintain an open dialogue to be sure when SISEA returns, it protects our workers as opposed to harming them.”

LOS ANGELES — Bang.com has announced Vanna Bardot as their January Bang! “Babe of the Month.”

“Petite, statuesque beauty Vanna has something special for fans this month on Bang.com, and a BTS video on Bang’s Youtube channel where she takes viewers on a tour of her house with Paige Owens,” said a rep.

Bang! Marketing Director Steve said, ”We are very excited to have Vanna as our Bang! ‘Babe of the Month.’ We are so happy with her new scene on Rammed but also really excited for people to see the BTS video we did with Vanna at her own house.”

“I think it’s amazing she gave fans a look inside her personal environment, and it really gives everyone a chance to get to know the real Vanna,” Steve added.

Bang.com members can also see Bardot in a brand new scene for Bang! Originals’ Rammed series, co-starring Mick Blue.

To watch “57 Questions with Vanna Bardot,” visit Bang.com’s YouTube channel.

For more from Vanna Bardot and Bang.com, follow them on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES — Pineapple Support will host “Stocking Your Relationship Tool Kit with HART,” a webinar about how to manage relationships as an adult content creator.

The event, sponsored by Team Skeet, will be led by licensed mental health counselor Nicki Line.

“The webinar will focus on the innovative Harmony-Arion Relationship Tools (HART) methodology to equip attendees with the building blocks for developing healthy and meaningful relationships,” a rep explained.

“Every healthy relationship is built on a foundation of knowing your partner, trust and vulnerability,” said Line. “HART will provide these building blocks for you to develop them in your relationship, as well as identifying toxic patterns that can develop over a course of a relationship.”

Pineapple Support founder Leya Tanit said, “Nicki is an incredible kink-aware and poly-friendly counselor with extensive training and experience in her field.”

“As relationships can be especially challenging as an adult performer, it’s essential to understand and develop tools that can be used to nurture and sustain positive and healthy relationships,” Tanit added.

The “Stocking Your Relationship Tool Kit with HART” webinar will take place via Zoom on Friday, February 5, at 9 a.m. (PST). It is scheduled to last one hour but may go longer.

For more information and to access the webinar link, visit PineappleSupport.org.

For more from Pineapple Support, follow them on Twitter.

MONTREAL — Casca Akashova enjoys the cover spotlight as she makes her Hard X debut in the studio’s “Prime MILF 8.”

Directed by Mason, “Prime MILF 8” is comprised of four stylized scenes with a cast that also includes Ryan Keely, Becky Bandini and Krissy Lynn with Ramon Nomar, Mick Blue, Kyle Mason and Jax Slayher.

“Mason captures MILFs in their absolute sexual prime,” said Jon Blitt, head of production for Hard X’s parent company, O.L. Entertainment. “Blonde bombshell Casca leads an amazing cast as she dials up her sexual energy and charm into an explosive debut scene for Hard X.”

Additional details about the movie can be found here. Direct sales inquiries to wilma@mile-high-media.com or call (800) 363-0133.

Follow Hard X and Casca Akashova on Twitter for updates.

Recent Hard X titles include Natalie Knight in “Teen Creampies 2” and Lacy Lennon in “Facialized 8.”

LOS ANGELES — Skyn condoms is rolling out an international promo campaign directed by Matt Lambert with a diverse cast and an original track by Peaches that puts an erotic spin on a classic jingle.

“At the beginning of the global lockdown, Skyn started their quest to encourage couples to seek pleasure with two campaigns created by [advertising agency] Sid Lee [Paris]: ‘Stay and f*** at home’ and ‘The Pleasure Calendar,'” a rep explained.

“‘Pleasure is an endless exploration,’ directed by Matt Lambert out of production company Prettybird UK, continues to build on this strategy by encouraging people to keep exploring,” continued the rep. “In a world where we need to avoid touch outside, being stuck indoors gives us an opportunity to explore the touch of intimacy more than ever; and at a time in which we can’t travel far, the possibilities to discover through pleasure are limitless — a whole new world right at our fingertips.”

“With that in mind, Skyn and Sid Lee have created a cheeky ode to exploration, freedom and pleasure, by giving a twist to the most well-known song ever written about body parts,” the rep noted. “Through this campaign, Skyn wants to encourage pleasure seekers to go beyond what they already know and start learning again, by trying, touching, exploring and having fun with their bodies.”

The campaign — which debuted late last year in November and Brazil, and will continue to roll out in the United Kingdom, United States, France, Poland and Italy — is “an invitation to explore pleasure, from the point of view of different communities, sexual orientations and gender identities” and includes print and social media components.

Lambert’s collaborators, in addition to Peaches, include cinematographer Rina Yang and five real-life couples. Photography is by Concrete; the executive producer is Juliette Larthe.

The Skyn.com website has also been redesigned by Sid Lee to reflect the brand’s commitment towards the exploration of pleasure and genuine intimacy, with curated tips and advice on a variety of topics, as well as a revamped online shop featuring Skyn’s full range of products, from adult toys to condoms.

Follow Skyn on Twitter. 

Find Matt Lambert online and on Twitter and Instagram.

Jan 28, 2021 1:05 PM PST

CAMDEN, N.J. — Aria Khaide is debuting a new blowjob clip on Friday via OnlyFans and will then release it on her ManyVids account the following day.

“This 13-minute, no-hands blowjob starts with Aria returning home from a day of slutty adventures,” a rep described. “She wants to relax since she’s sore, but her hubby reminds her that her mouth is still in play.”

Follow Khaide on OnlyFans, ManyVids and Twitter.

Aria Khaide is represented by East Coast Talent and is planning a trip to Vegas February 18-23. Visit her agency profile or book her directly at bookAK@protonmail.com.

LOS ANGELES — Following the success of the inaugural ANME/XBIZ Show that took place this month, ANME and XBIZ are joining forces once again for a summer edition set for July 12-16.

“The ANME/XBIZ event was an incredible way to kick off 2021,” said Susan Colvin, founder and CEO of CalExotics. “Even though we couldn’t see everyone in-person, the virtual space made the event feel like a traditional trade show. We were able to virtually go around the show, talk to our customers and friends, and even take part in seminars and happy hours. Of course, we can’t wait to meet with everyone again in person, but this was really the next best thing!”

Colvin emphasized the CalExotics team’s goal to “take what we’ve learned from this show, and make the July show even better.”

The virtual ANME/XBIZ show brings together the best of both worlds with ANME’s expansive slate of exhibitors and XBIZ Retreat’s signature one-on-one meetings and networking opportunities, to deliver the biggest virtual event for the adult retail industry.

“We’re so grateful to everybody who helped make the first virtual ANME such a huge success,” said Chad Braverman, the COO of Doc Johnson. “Our team was grateful for the large turnout and the ability to meet with all our distributors, retailers and friends. We at Doc Johnson are all thrilled that the industry will be able to continue this show virtually for however long is needed.”

Helmed by the pioneering pleasure product companies CalExotics, Doc Johnson and Nasstoys, the biannual go-to ANME show was first postponed last summer due to the pandemic, after which the “founders” and XBIZ joined forces to to recreate the trade show experience online.

“ANME/XBIZ was a wonderful opportunity for Nasstoys to virtually connect with our customers in a time when we cannot see them in person,” Nasstoys President Elliot Schwartz said. “We also loved seeing some new faces! Online shows have brought the ability for those who could not physically attend previously to be right in our ‘booth’ without having to step away from their business for days at a time. Overall, the entire team had an incredibly successful show and we’re looking forward to the next.”

The debut edition of ANME/XBIZ united a who’s-who of the adult retail industry via an interactive platform for participants to conduct business and network. With packed schedules of one-on-one meetings and evening entertainment, participants also interacted at their leisure, much like an in-person trade show.

“We’re thrilled by the response to our collaboration with ANME that helped to usher in a groundbreaking B2B event,” XBIZ Associate Publisher Sara Ramirez said. “We look forward to finding new and innovative ways to further bridge the gap between virtual and reality, with the end goal of delivering the best online trade show experience.”

As a bonus to incentivize business between participants, buyers are entered into a contest to reward the Top 3 as rated by vendors based on a range of  criteria.

Along with scheduled  meetings and virtual networking events, ANME/XBIZ also features panel discussions on a variety of topics shaping  the future of pleasure products and adult retail industries.

Read coverage of the ANME/XBIZ Show here.

For event information, contact anmexbiz@xbiz.com.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — AEBN has revealed popular searches in its straight and gay theaters for November and December of 2020 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“No two states shared the same search term, but some trends emerged,” a rep shared. “On the straight theater, breasts showed great popularity: North Dakotans were looking for ‘big areolas,’ while Tennessee viewers were in a kinky mood for ‘nipple clamps.’ A common theme in gay theater searches was a desire to explore, whether that meant ‘Bavarian bareback’ for Delaware, ‘barebacking abroad’ for New York, or ‘Vatican’ in Mississippi.”

Popular stars in the straight theaters included Angela White in California, Dee Williams in Connecticut, Alison Rey in New Mexico and Abigail Mac in Washington. Brent Corrigan in California, Andy Onasis in Michigan, Adrian Hart in Pennsylvania and Austin Wolf in West Virginia were among the most-wanted studs on the gay theater.

Find additional details with infographics at the AEBN Trends blog here.

AEBN can be followed on Twitter for more updates.

Jan 27, 2021 2:07 PM PST

LOS ANGELES — Madame Rose and DomCon.com will present the live, online class, “Introduction to Making Content,” this Sunday, January 31, at 2 p.m. (PST).  

“With COVID-19 still impacting revenue streams in adult entertainment and the domination of platforms like JustFor.fans, Chaturbate and Clips4Sale, now is an essential time for adult performers and kinky professionals to be up-to-speed on their content production,” a rep explained.

“Madame Rose is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle and professional Dominant, with a specialty for content involving intense scenes,” noted the rep. “She is well-known as a kink and fetish performer on camera and onstage for live events.”

The information Rose will provide in this class will touch upon producing fetish, kink and adult-oriented content for clips, subscription sites, premium social media and more. Other subjects addressed in the two-hour session include legality, documentation, equipment and basic lighting.

More information about this event can be found here.

Madame Rose and DomCon can be followed on Twitter for more updates.