Page 59 - AVN August 2013

Rob Phaneuf
VP of Product Development, Pipedream
Rob Phaneuf is the vice president of product development at
Pipedream Products, a title he has worked up to and earned in
his past eight years with the novelty manufacturer.
“I started out at Metro Video in its heyday as the art direc-
tor, and I handled a lot of the art for Pipedream,” he said.
Some time after Pipedream CEO Nick Orlandino
decided to create an in-house art department, he brought
on Phaneuf. In addition to overseeing about 15 artists,
he also handles writing copy for the product packaging,
and essentially oversees all products from inception to
completion.
“There’s no way I could do any of my job without help
from people like Christian, our creative director, and Nick
Phaneuf said. I learned everything I know about this side of the
business from Nick.”
“Rob is an integral part of my creative team,” Orlandino said.
“He’s been with me professionally for a long time, and even
longer as a personal friend. He has a great passion for Pipedream
and the industry, and it shows in everything he does.”
Joanna Queenin
Like so many people who enter the pleasure products industry,
Joanna Queenin had an interesting work history before making the
plunge into adult. After working for a Fortune 500 company and
even NASA, she learned of an opening for an executive assistant at
Sportsheets almost two years ago after her friend was consulting for
the manufacturer.
“I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had working with and for
the family at Sportsheets,” she said.
Though she was initially hired as an executive assistant
to founder Tom Stewart and President Julie Stewart,
she quickly moved up.
“Joanne started here as an executive administrative
assistant to Julie and I. Simultaneously she took on
the role of assisting Julie with marketing,” Tom
Stewart said. “Joanne soon proved herself as extremely
capable, creative and resourceful in coordinating our
print ads to coincide with Sportsheets press releases.
“Joanne just grabbed the marketing job and made it hers,”
he continued, “In addition to her talent, it’s her tenacity and plan-
ning that have given us a steady advertising and PR rhythm.
Joanne’s consistency is what’s helped make such a difference in our
company’s marketing effectiveness. Joanne is totally awesome and
we just love her.”
Queenin said from the start, she knew Sportsheets was a good fit
for her.
“I have become a part of this family that cares about people and
body-safe products and what people use in and around their bod-
ies,” she said. “I serve at the pleasure of Tom and Julie, but I really
do serve them with pleasure.”
Sam Rakowski
Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Skin
Sam Rakowski graduated from Indiana University with
degrees in Spanish and film before moving to Chicago and
starting a company to market himself as a freelance
videographer.
“I sort of fell into the industry by chance when I learned
that Mr. Skin was hiring for a content position out of their
offices in Oak Park near where I lived in Chicago,”
Rakowski said. “The only minor issue was that Photoshop
skills were a must and I had very little Photoshop experi-
ence at the time, but I’m a quick study, so I figured I could
wing it. I got the job, thinking it would be good for some
side income for a while—and now I’m coming up on my
12th year with the company.”
Since joining Mr. Skin, Sam has held various positions
in the company: content manager, project manager, direc-
tor of business development. Recently he earned a promo-
tion to the role of chief operating officer and now oversees
all aspects of the company.
“My primary focus is continuing to grow the
business through new product development,”
Rakowski said. “The male celebrity counterpart
to Mr. Skin, which we have branded as Mr.
Man, will officially launch in October and we’ve
already got some other exciting deals in the
works that will give affiliates and traffic partners
even more ways to make money under the trusted
Mr. Skin umbrella.”
When he isn’t hard at work, Sam and wife Angie like
to work on their culinary skills, expanding their range with
travel to learn the flavors of other cultures. The couple
recently welcomed their first child, and like any new
parent, Sam was quick to say, “I’m determined not to let it
slow us down, too much.” If only that were as easy as
building an adult entertainment empire!
F ortune 500 company
and even NASA, Joanna
Queenin l earned of an
opening for an executive
assistant at Sportsheets
”After working for a
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