SATIRE, USA – Having twice splashed through the shallow end of the adult entertainment gene pool in order to learn more about the mysterious phenomena known as Men In Adult, I have chosen to ignore common sense, good hygiene, and the advice of friends, family, and clergy in order to yet again investigate what makes these strange and wonderful creatures tick.In order to further ingratiate myself with YNOT management, while simultaneously revealing some embarrassing truths about the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, I have cast my net of muck raking and reporting close to my professional “home.” Although he hasn’t lived in Los Angeles for years, allow me to introduce you to LAJ.

QUICK FACTS:

Eyes:Fantastical combination of green, brown, and red
Hair: Grayer by the moment
Favorite Body Part: Eyes and ass
Favorite Color: Green and orange
Favorite Flower: Venus Flytrap
Favorite Song: I’m into so much music that it would be impossible to pinpoint a favorite song. However, there are a few songs that bring goose bumps to my skin and tears to my eyes, especially when I sing along. Yes, I’m a girly man like that sometimes, but these bands have serious significance to important parts of my life: Simon & Garfunkel, Husker Du, and Lagwagon.
Confidence Building Garment: It’s the whole package, really. Fitted t-shirts, baggy jeans, All Star low tops… and, really, it’s also all about the hair.
Underwear: Isn’t it all about the package and not the wrapping?

How long have you been involved in the adult internet?: From a business perspective, where I make money, since May, 2000. From a surfer perspective, where I was wasting company time and resources and getting mouse trapped and putting viruses on the company server, from early 1998 to about May, 2000.

What did you do prior to working in the adult internet?: As little real work as possible for a long time. After graduating from college in the early ‘90s with a degree in theatre and speech, I had a fledgling (mainstream) acting career. Lots of theatre, a few commercials, a few films, and a respectable enough amount of television work to warrant dedicating my 20s to pursuing “the dream.” Meanwhile, I waited tables and took on all kinds of odd jobs that enabled me to focus as much time as possible on my acting career. I had top notch stints as a phone sex credit department operator (mood killer), collections (bearer of bad news to unsuspecting spouses), head shop clerk (selling crack pipes and scales to gang bangers and hookers) to name a few. When 30 was looming, I took a look at myself and said “what the fuck am I doing?” Then it was time to get serious.

What jobs have you performed while working within the adult internet?: Aside from a lot of handholding, pleading, and insane amounts of follow up, my ever-growing list of titles has included: public relations specialist, editor-in-chief, trade show director, webmaster, collections, consultant, and vice president of sales and marketing. With the exception of anything technical, I’ve done a lot in my nearly eight years in this business… and fortunately, I’ve been climbing up the ladder financially and professionally as I go.

What are you doing currently?: My main jobs include running the day-to-day operations for YNOT, selling all of our advertising, doing marketing and public relations for the company, chat board admin, and also accounting collections. I am also putting together the Cybernet Expo 2008 in San Francisco. I’m selling all the sponsorships for now and working with Gary and Connor at YNOT on a website launch later this month. In addition, I am already putting together a short list of activities, seminars, and speakers. I also market for attorney Eric Bernstein; press opportunities, public relations, marketing, and new business. Lastly, I am also the sales representative and an admin for the Netpond boards. I know there is more that I do, but does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

What was it about the industry that attracted you? What keeps you involved?: Being a fan of porn since I looked at my first Hustler in 1979 and my first VHS in 1981; that should speak for itself. What keeps me involved? The money, the freedom, the people, and of course, my interest in the product.

Have you ever found your gender to be a hindrance to your professional success?: Yes. Not having tits and a shaved cooch has definitely hurt me. I can’t just bat my eye lashes, remove all thought from my brain, and hope to win friends and influence people. I’ve really had to show that I’ve got some substance over the years. It’s not to say that all women are like that, but those who use that to their advantage do it well. It’s unfortunate for me sometimes having to work very hard to earn my keep, ya know?

Do you feel that adult industry career options for men have increased or decreased over the years?: I think they have decreased. This used to be an industry completely run by men, but let’s face it, women hold the true power. Not just in this biz, but in life. The sooner everyone can realize that, appreciate it, and move on, the better we will all be.

Given how many women work in the industry, how has being in the minority gender affected you?: Professionally, I have to work that much harder to get noticed. Ridiculous behavior just doesn’t cut it anymore like it used to for me at the shows. Maybe I’ll try wearing a suit and tie so that people will take me seriously as a business person. I hear that works. Frankly, I just can’t compete with these female reps that have cornered the chat board market by making every new thread they start all about them and their picture galleries. I mean, a few threads I can compete with, but it’s getting tougher and tougher out there. I think I’m going to have to start relying on my business sense to get some attention.

Have you ever lost clients to female sales representatives? If so, why do you think that was?Yes, I sure have. Perhaps it was due to better badmouthing of the competition on their part, or their ability to lie better than me, or their blowjob skills… I guess I’ll never really know. But it was certainly never because I was outsold.

Have you ever felt pressured into doing anything sexually that you weren’t comfortable with? If so, how did you handle it and how did people react?: Yes, I’m uncomfortable with the fact that I am rarely propositioned with ass or grass… it’s always only cash. So, I drink more to make myself more attractive and funnier.

Has being a Man in Adult affected your personal life?: Yes… it has made me the envy of my Men “Not in Adult” friends.

What stereotypes about men would you like to see done away with?: That some of us are actually really good listeners and that we really DO care and that we just genuinely want to be your friend with no ulterior motives.

Surrounded by so much estrogen, what do you do to take care of, nurture, and/or reward your masculine self after a long day in the porn mines?: I do manly things like cut people off in traffic, tell sexist and racist jokes, watch wrestling or NASCAR, and wear women’s panties.

What advice do you have for men who may be considering a career in the adult internet?: If you never achieve “playah” status, don’t sweat it. And definitely don’t act like it. What matters is if you are happy, financially and mentally stable, and aren’t out there to fuck people over.

What would you like all the women in adult to most understand about men in adult?: There are two kinds of men in adult. Those that creep women out and those that don’t. I don’t.