Page 58 - AVN August 2013

Alan Mandell
Sales Manager, East Coast News/International Video Distributors
Alan Mandell joined the team at East Coast News (ECN) and
International Video Distributors (IVD) in 2008, ultimately fill-
ing the role of sales manager for both distributors. Mandell
found his way into the industry after many years in main-
stream business, with roles ranging from IT system design
and project management to distribution and sales. While
past experiences prepared Mandell for the tasks associated
with his current position, few things can compare to the
speed, volume and complexity that adult distribution pres-
ents.
“Even after five years, it’s still easy to be amazed at the number
of products that pass through our warehouses every day,” Mandell
explained. “It’s sobering, and somewhat humbling, to be part of our incredi-
ble team that makes it all happen.”
On a daily basis, Mandell oversees all sales operations at ECN’s and IVD’s
three nationwide locations, including management of the account representa-
tives and support staffers who make up the distributors’ vast sales depart-
ment. He is also instrumental in vendor relations, promotions and business
planning. A familiar face at nearly every industry trade show, Mandell works
with manufacturer reps, laying out short- and long-range sales goals.
ECN/IVD Brand Manager Ken H. sums it up succinctly: “Very little hap-
pens here without Alan’s input, and the company is certainly better for it.”
s
FEATURE
Michelle “Glitter” Marcus
Sales Director, Sliquid/Lovehoney USA
When Dean Elliott started Sliquid, he knew he was passionate
about the company’
s products and mission, but wasn’
t sure he
would find others who felt the same. Turns out longtime friend
Michelle “Glitter” Marcus did … and still does.
As the sales director for Sliquid and now Lovehoney’s American
offices, Marcus shows her passion for the products through store
visits, sales calls and trade shows.
“She’s invaluable,” Elliott said. “She’s very passionate
about the products and their creation. People love her,
and people love Daphne the dog when she comes to
visit. I believe we have grown as a company because of
her passions. She is so well-versed and knowledge-
able.”
Marcus said, in a way, she stumbled into her job
with Sliquid. When she was in her previous job as a TV
news producer, she started using Sliquid products and
decided to introduce them to the target audience via a daytime
news program.
“I have sensitivities and the products worked for me, so I wanted
to share that with other women,” she said. “I started helping Dean,
doing PR, and had one foot in this industry and one foot in the
TV industry, and eventually I made a choice. This is a company
and these are products that speak to me, and it comes natural to
me to speak out about them.
“I have customers from all over the world who reach out to me
all hours of the day and night, but it never feels like ‘work’ to me,”
she added. “I honestly can not imagine doing anything else. I love
this job. It’s my passion, and it really gives back to me when I hear
that we are changing people’s lives for the better.”
58 | AVN 8.13
Mark Nicholson
Production Manager, Wicked Pictures
Like many of the others profiled in this roundup, Mark Nicholson is a
man who wears many hats, from production manager to art director to
digital imagining tech to occasional non-sex actor—all of which he’s
been doing for Wicked Pictures since he moved to L.A. from
his home state of Texas at the turn of the millennium.
Upon arrival, he looked up his friend Red Ezra, who
gave him a place to live and a job on his directorial
debut with Wicked, Flash!, which also marked the com-
mencement of Nicholson’s professional relationship
with Brad Armstrong, for whom he’s served as a trusty
right-hand man ever since.
One of Nicholson’s greatest achievements to date, he
told AVN, was seeing the effects work he did on
Armstrong’s Men in Black: A Hardcore Parody bestowed this
year’s AVN Award for Best Special Effects.
“Mark is one of our biggest on-set assets,” Wicked general manager
and VP of operations Steve Karmelin said of Nicholson. “He is knowl-
edgeable and reliable and I always rest easier when I see his name in a
production budget.”
Nicholson returned the sentiment, saying, “I enjoy working for
Wicked Pictures because of the fact that we ‘make real movies that just
happen to have sex in them.’ It’s a product that I’m proud to be a part
of. One joy is when I show people our trailers and they’re stunned that
the adult biz could produce such a ‘mainstream’ looking movie.”
He added, “I am very lucky to work in a business that is truly like a
family. With all its ups and downs, we still stick together and look out
for each other.”
She’ s very passionate about the
pr oducts and their cr eation. People love
her, and peopl e l ove Daphne the dog
when she c omes to visit. I believe we
have grown as a company because
of her passions. She is so well-versed
and knowledgeable
—Dean Elliott, Sliquid
”