Paul, I wish you the best in everything you do. You have always been wonderful to me. xo, Cindi
June 20, 2011
Dear Friends and Associates,
As some of you know, I sold my interest in AVN almost 16 months ago. Since then, I’ve continued working with the company in a similar capacity to what I had been doing before the sale. It’s with some sadness that I am letting you know that I am now taking the next logical step. Effective immediately, I’m exiting my full-time position at AVN and will instead be serving as a part-time consultant to AVN until further notice. This transition will allow me to pursue other ventures in and out of the adult industry.
Meanwhile, you are in good hands at AVN:
Theo Sapoutzis is the CEO
Janet Gibson continues her management of AEE and other business:
Sara Harter is the Sales Director:
Renee Johnson oversees the AVN Awards Show:
For editorial issues, the staff remains the same:
Sharan Street is the Editor:
Steve Javors serves as Managing Editor:
Peter Warren handles reviews:
Sherri Shaulis is the Novelty Editor:
Tom Hymes handles technology:
…and of course, Mark Kernes remains the Legal Editor
For AVN business, I can still be reached at my AVN e-mail address.
I have enjoyed working with so many of you for large portions of the 28-plus years I ran AVN. I have a lifetime of memories and great relationships. I remain committed to helping AVN thrive in the paradigm of new management coupled with the changes facing our industry. I am especially devoted to the welfare of the staff I had the pleasure of working with for these many years. Further, in keeping with the standards I strived to maintain for over two decades, it’s important to me that the clients, vendors and readership derive the best possible value from AVN. Our emphasis was always on quality and integrity. I expect that to continue long after my departure.
I welcome the opportunity to work with some of you again in some future venture.
Sincerely,
Paul Fishbein
Founder, AVN
I am Jack’s total lack of surprise.
Did you all see the PR last week about the 2012 AEE and ANE shows in Vegas? It made clear that the new owners don’t have a fucking clue and/or are simply relying on the $ from Showtime for the broadcast rights of the awards.
This year, the show will not be held at the same time as CES! All those travelers from all over the world, with all their money, will be nowhere in sight when AEE opens its doors. Also, the show will have no Sunday! The performers won’t be able to show off their awards on the floor. That means Saturday will essentially be a half or 2/3 day since the girls have to go get ready for the awards show.
With none of the out of town traffic, no superstar name talent, and girls pissed off about Sunday, this weekday AEE will be a cross between Exxxotica and a small business to business trade show (the PR called the new format more “intimate).
I know Theo very well.
He has the knowledge and know how on what it takes to take AVN to the next level in a dying economy.
The focus will be on the B to B and online. There is a lot of money and innovative ideas that will be coming from AVN soon.
Before discovering that Theo took over, I too thought AVN was done, but after going out to lunch with Theo and seeing a few of the new things that will be implemented, I was blown away and pleasantly surprised.
Its sad that Paul is leaving, but I really see a bright new future for AVN under Theo’s command.
Well, then good luck to them.
Is AVN now going to change its name to “This Ain’t XBIZ”? 😉
Moving away from CES won’t hurt AEE that much. In fact, it might actually help get people in, if they don’t have to choose which to pay for during teh same week.
I know NOT having to deal with the traffic and ridiculous room rates is a plus. (however, we have our own “secret”place for a good rate, regardless.) It will be even more of a plus for those that want to film during that week.
And since when does anyone bring their awards to the show on Sunday? Practically never, since most of them have to pick them up at the AVN offices after the show. LOL
Hey Michael, I heard AVN was going to be renamed Not XBiz XXX but I will have to sue them for US Trademark infringement for using the word NOT in association with an adult entertainment product lol. Good luck to Paul as he deserves a new frontier I hope Just Dave is right about Theo Sapoutzis and his vision. I also hope the people that run the AEE will make an announcement that all porn performers get into the convention for free. I know many girls (especially the unknown newbies) that were not getting paid to sign in company booths the past couple of years due to downsizing faced the extra embarrassment of having to pay an admission fee to get into the convention so they just stayed home. AEE should make that announcement early and often and hopefully there will be a lot more hot girls there not only at the show but also at the bars and parties which is good for the entire vibe of the event. Porn performers should get in free which just might increase ticket sales. More girls = more fun.
@Sher – You’re dreaming. Good luck with that. In the past, many if not most CES attendees who also stopped over at AEE had either registered for free as CES “early registrants”, or were CES visitors. This is a move — as Dave indicated — to move away from consumers and focus on online and B to B. In regards to the former, I predict it will be extremely effective.
@Will – I look forward to your trademark action over “Not XBIZ XXX: A B to B Parody”.
I too hope that Dave is correct, and I agree that, quite obviously, more performers in attendance = more fun and more fan interest.
Hey Will Ryder,
I raised that exact same issue with Theo over Sushi last Thursday. He agrees with you and I about getting more talent in the AVN expo with out paying.
He told me that they do allow performers do get into the shows for free, after they get certified as a legitimate performer. I told him, “no they don’t” or at least all of the performers I know don’t. I then offered my services to certify all of the performers that claim to be performers myself, so that we don’t have “legitimate performers” paying to get into the AVN expo shows.
I do know almost everyone and i will bring an Ipad and manually confirm everyone I don’t know myself quite easily. Theo laughed and said “we can get into the details of making that happen in the next 2 days.”
Theo is a really smart guy. He has a thorough understanding on how this business is “today” and the online experience and understanding on how the online business is ran. And lastly, he also understands how important it is to have female talent at any and all AVN Expo shows.
Will Ryder you know me and you know how I am, I don’t get impressed with anything. I also never get wowed or excited. But, Theo’s goals and new Ideas give me a lot of hope for a much improved AVN experience and improvement in all of its future shows.
Will you got my number, any and all Ideas lets discuss them and I will definitely bring them up with Theo.
We all agree that that we do need more “legitimate performers” at the shows and at all of the Vegas parties. I think that that we can easily make that happen.
And no, I do not work for AVN.
I too have had conversations with Theo and I am optimistic about the results of the new AVN.
I think Theo is open to ideas and innovation no matter where it comes from and that is smart.
The business is changing and AVN has to change with it or die…I think taking the Expo show back to a more business oriented show is a positive move as is consolidating the shows. There is another large consumer oriented show happening the same time as the avn expo…it isnt CES but that might be a good thing.
also Im told the rooms at the Palms will be 1/4 the cost of rooms at the Venetian, another good move.
I plan to attend the next one…first one since 2007
I wish Theo and AVN the best AVN is the ONLY adult Industry Publication with an audited circulation XBiz, by comparison is a joke and their support of .XXX turned me away a long time ago…Fuck Helmy.
Herbie Dingle survives again, what a waste. AVN is toast, was toast and what the hell is Fishbein gonna tell them how to run a dead business. Will/Jeff anyone else in the biz you want to suck off?
The biggest bonus of having the show at the same time as the CES was the worldwide media exposure, not always positive, more than the additional fans. The added lines and problems caused by the two shows running at the same time were always more trouble than they were worth, the bottom line being that the show as presented was dying and in drastic need of change.
As far as the Sunday aspect of the show, while it was filled with fans, just how many of the performers, contracted or not, ever showed up on Sundays? Seriously, there were even times when entire companies ditched Sunday (major companies like Vivid included) in order to leave before the crowds or to recuperate from the partying that typically lasted until well into the morning (a quick look into the Denny’s restaurant beside the Venetian anywhere from 4 AM to noon as porn-populated as the Circle Bar throughout the week). If nothing else, the performers that choose to remain in town on Sunday will have additional opportunities to meet fans on a more personal level (cough) and reap the benefits accordingly.
I don’t know Mr. Sapoutzis or where he stands on all the issues but his willingness to try new things rather than just do things the same way appears to be a wise move. In that, I have to agree with Dave/Mike/Will that there is definitely hope this will turn out well.
I’ve always assumed one of the biggest drawing points for porn stars to go to these shows was to obtain some escort $$$.
Part of the draw is to get some escort $$$, though some stars get a taste of the gate, not AEE but do the math. Smart porners will make sure they have movies and pics to sell like what models do at Glamourcon and Comicon, easier than being on one’s back. Vegas is a little bit different. Most of the sideline work is booked before the girls hit town too, I assume Johnny Law roams the show looking for prosties to bust.