Rumor Mill - Xbiz Pink Slips Many Employees

[gonzo]

...effective Sept 4th just in time for labor day weekend.


Wonder if there is any truth to the rumor that Alec cleaned house?

[Hell Puppy]

No idea if it's valid or not.

But one things for sure, anyone making their money buying/selling ads in adult right now is likely seeing revenue go into the crapper. I'm primarily talking shows, magazines and resource sites. Xbiz fits in all 3 of those.

If your revenue plunges and you wanna stay in business you have no choice but to cut operating costs until you can figure out a way to replace lost revenue.

[RawAlex]

I think the writing may be on the wall from a couple of under-attended shows in a row. My understanding is that Xbiz summer wasn't huge, and Internext looked like a ghost of it's former self.

The shows that are "correct sized" are still there and still doing well. But anyone with aspirations of having a show like IA2000 needs to run a hide, those days appear to be long gone.

[tony404]

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

No idea if it's valid or not.

But one things for sure, anyone making their money buying/selling ads in adult right now is likely seeing revenue go into the crapper. I'm primarily talking shows, magazines and resource sites. Xbiz fits in all 3 of those.

If your revenue plunges and you wanna stay in business you have no choice but to cut operating costs until you can figure out a way to replace lost revenue.

sad but true

[MikeSouth]

it's true

[softball]

What a shock. How unexpected. Time to tighten up the business plan as well. Relevancy would be a good start.

[EmporerEJ]

I understand Tom is going back to AVN....which is interesting, since EVERYTHING is bouncing off the walls there.

I will never understand why they can't make money with all that sold adspace, and very inexpensive editorial copy.

Have you LOOKED at how thick AVN magazine has always been?
Even at fire sale prices, you ought to be able to print and distribute, what, 50K copies?

Boggles the mind.

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

What a shock. How unexpected. Time to tighten up the business plan as well. Relevancy would be a good start.

In my opinion, the biggest problem both xbiz and avn have had is they let themselves get too detached from the industry. You go out and hire people with marketing and publication backgrounds with no adult industry background to run your shows and publications, and it makes it hard to produce compelling material.

ESPN employees journalists, but it employees journalists who LOVE sports. The WSJ employees people who know the segments of the business they cover. AVN comes from the video background. Xbiz is a compilation of press release material and fluff from advertisers as filler in my opinion.

And Klixxx? Last update on their website was March.

[softball]

The darkside has taken control. There was a time when press releases and video news releases were vetted carefully by serious players. Now they are cheap fill. However, something's gotta give. In this case, credibility. It is like going to a porn convention seminar, you feel like you are not quite getting anything valuable because someone is pitching, somewhere.
I find it amusing to read when I even remember, but there is a whole world of porn out there that they are missing or ignoring. That is where I work.
Xbiz etc. are way too US focussed as well. When they could have been establishing markets elsewhere, they were just raking in money the easy way. Sound familiar?
Who the fuck cares about a best blow job award? Who the fuck would want one?
Who the fuck cares about Xbiz? Not me.

[gonzo]

I see Alec has made his way to Oprano.
Maybe he will chime in.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by EmporerEJ

I understand Tom is going back to AVN....which is interesting, since EVERYTHING is bouncing off the walls there.

I will never understand why they can't make money with all that sold adspace, and very inexpensive editorial copy.

Have you LOOKED at how thick AVN magazine has always been?
Even at fire sale prices, you ought to be able to print and distribute, what, 50K copies?

Boggles the mind.

Hymes IS back at AVN. Has been several weeks from what I understand.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

In my opinion, the biggest problem both xbiz and avn have had is they let themselves get too detached from the industry. You go out and hire people with marketing and publication backgrounds with no adult industry background to run your shows and publications, and it makes it hard to produce compelling material.

ESPN employees journalists, but it employees journalists who LOVE sports. The WSJ employees people who know the segments of the business they cover. AVN comes from the video background. Xbiz is a compilation of press release material and fluff from advertisers as filler in my opinion.

And Klixxx? Last update on their website was March.

In my opinion, there were two key people at AVN, and when they stopped being full time, the death knell starting tolling.

Kathee Brewer- Quite possibly the best writer I've ever met, and one of the smartest people who happens to be a woman. She WAS the editorial Backbone of the magazine.

Tom Hymes- Good guy that got things done, and cut through the shit quickly.

Other "Ok" people.

I also met many "fluff" people, that I will mercifully, not mention here.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Hymes IS back at AVN. Has been several weeks from what I understand.

Yup...so I hear.
There's hope for them....

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by EmporerEJ

In my opinion, there were two key people at AVN, and when they stopped being full time, the death knell starting tolling.

Kathee Brewer- Quite possibly the best writer I've ever met, and one of the smartest people who happens to be a woman. She WAS the editorial Backbone of the magazine.

Tom Hymes- Good guy that got things done, and cut through the shit quickly.

Other "Ok" people.

I also met many "fluff" people, that I will mercifully, not mention here.

I agree with this and will add in MJ as well.
Cocaine Chris is a sorry assed replacement with his glib retarded diatribe.

[RawAlex]

If nothing else, this is more support for the idea that porn "trade shows" may also be on the endangered species list. In the end, it's shows like Cybernet and Pheonix that will come out ahead, and Xbiz and AVN can fight over the playahs and passed out reps.

I see a trend, and it isn't running in their favor.

[JFK]

Originally Posted by RawAlex

If nothing else, this is more support for the idea that porn "trade shows" may also be on the endangered species list. In the end, it's shows like Cybernet and Pheonix that will come out ahead, and Xbiz and AVN can fight over the playahs and passed out reps.

I see a trend, and it isn't running in their favor.

Yes there is a trend and the smart ones will learn from it, there were a lot of ideas in the GFY thread. We shall see who will take the ball and run with it! I doubt very much, if there will be concensus among the players to reduce shows. In the end the market will decide

[gonzo]

Bartle Do!

[pornlaw]

The rumor mill also says AVN layed off another 7 people yesterday and cut their work week to 4 days a week. My understanding is that AVN has about 20 people left and only 1 working in the art department...

http://www.adultfyi.com/read.php?ID=36887

[JFK]

Originally Posted by pornlaw

The rumor mill also says AVN layed off another 7 people yesterday and cut their work week to 4 days a week. My understanding is that AVN has about 20 people left and only 1 working in the art department...

http://www.adultfyi.com/read.php?ID=36887

ouch ....................

[Toby]

OK, and just exactly how are these two organizations supposed to keep everything running day to day AND each put on two or three shows a year too?

[HELMY]

hey gonzo,

out of respect, I won't post specifics - but i certainly understand how such a rumor can arise as a result of someone parting ways with a company or making a misinterpretation.

i'm happy to say that XBIZ has never had to clean house.

and on the topic of trade shows, yes, the time has come for CHANGE.

p.s. couldn't find my Oprano login, so i registered again - thanks for having me.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by HELMY

hey gonzo,

out of respect, I won't post specifics - but i certainly understand how such a rumor can arise as a result of someone parting ways with a company or making a misinterpretation.

i'm happy to say that XBIZ has never had to clean house.

and on the topic of trade shows, yes, the time has come for CHANGE.

p.s. couldn't find my Oprano login, so i registered again - thanks for having me.

Thanks for dropping by to clarify Alec.
Dont let it be so long next time.

[softball]

Originally Posted by HELMY

hey gonzo,

out of respect, I won't post specifics - but i certainly understand how such a rumor can arise as a result of someone parting ways with a company or making a misinterpretation.

i'm happy to say that XBIZ has never had to clean house.

and on the topic of trade shows, yes, the time has come for CHANGE.

p.s. couldn't find my Oprano login, so i registered again - thanks for having me.

What did you just say? I think you just said you didn't lay anyone off. Gonzo, did I miss a clarification here?

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I agree with this and will add in MJ as well.

Yup. Don't know personally, but hear good things, and limited interaction has been positive.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by RawAlex

If nothing else, this is more support for the idea that porn "trade shows" may also be on the endangered species list. In the end, it's shows like Cybernet and Pheonix that will come out ahead, and Xbiz and AVN can fight over the playahs and passed out reps.

I see a trend, and it isn't running in their favor.

I'm not sure the sky is falling just yet.
There is always a place for the trade show. They just need to be a little more professional about it, and do it sensibly. Stop making the whole thing a great big dick slapping contest. There are trade shows in EVERY industry. Even industryies you can't imagine people are having trade shows for. The entire "hard goods" (no pun intended) side of the industry is still there, still selling stuff every day. Just like they were before the "internet" and they'll be there long after all the shake outs. People still buy adult product.
Can we stop with the "sky is falling" talk all the time?

A few good shows, in key cities, done well.
And why isn't New York on the regular circuit? Or Philly? This Vegas/Florida thing is getting tired. Florida in August? Who are we kidding here?

Vegas, of course. Vegas, is Vegas.Vegas in the winter for all us Northerners, and NY in the summer.
To me, that sounds reasonable. Maybe one show in the south somewhere, for you southern folks, and the beach, but how about the off season? When there is a reason to escape the weather?

[C H R I S 2.0]

Thanks for the rumor mill.... no go about your bizness.

[C H R I S 2.0]

Stickied too.... HMMMMM

[softball]

Originally Posted by avnchris

Thanks for the rumor mill.... no go about your bizness.

This is our business.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by avnchris

Thanks for the rumor mill.... no go about your bizness.

Tell me Chris....what happens to a good, level headed Pennsylvania boy, like Paul, when he goes to glitter city? He needs to get back to his roots.

[Hell Puppy]

[Electra]

Originally Posted by EmporerEJ

Kathee Brewer- Quite possibly the best writer I've ever met, and one of the smartest people who happens to be a woman. She WAS the editorial Backbone of the magazine.

Tom Hymes- Good guy that got things done, and cut through the shit quickly.

I just wanted to add my nod to this. When we were going to shows Dravyk and I always made a point of touching base with Kathee and Tom. We would have loved to have spent more time with them but they were always working..always.

[C H R I S 2.0]

Originally Posted by Electra

I just wanted to add my nod to this. When we were going to shows Dravyk and I always made a point of touching base with Kathee and Tom. We would have loved to have spent more time with them but they were always working..always.

agreed on all points