Page 48 - AVN September 2016

INTERVIEW | | By Brady Jansen
Throbbing Pulse Pulse Distribution becomes prime destination for gay studios
everyone thought the sky was falling.
Andrew Quaintance remembers when
“When the internet grew and
became fast enough to stream
movies, most everyone in the DVD industry
panicked and thought, ‘This is it, the end of
DVD,’” says the vice president of sales for Pulse
Distribution. “But here we are, 10 years later,
and DVD is back on the rise. I’ve been witness
to this rise, even in just the last two years
alone. I can safely say DVD sales are going to
remain for a long time. Though the numbers
aren’t what they were 15 or so years ago, this
is not a vanishing market. Retail stores that
decided a few years back to eliminate their
DVD section completely are now adding this
space back into their stores.”
If anyone should know, it’s Pulse. But
referring to the company as the industry leader
when asking Quaintance a question prompts an
unexpected, humble reaction.
“Are we the leader in the space? This is very
flattering to hear!“ he says, giving just a taste of
why the company is so well regarded. “I think
it’s about a few things. For our clients, it is
providing great customer service in addition
their focus may be.”
Other notables include Active Duty, Next Door Studios,
Pride Studios, DRIVEshaft, Man Royale and Stunner
Media. The broad range of studios encompasses a wide
array of genres and types of movies, from Asian and
Latin to military and twink, from muscle and parodies to
classics and bareback.
Pulse added some new lines to the family in the last
few months, including Bijou Video, known for its pre-
condom classics, which were previously duplicated rather
than replicated. “Now that they have joined Pulse, these
movies are not only brought back to life but are preserved
via digital media format, which eliminates much of the
2015 to 2016 has been spectacular for Pulse; this is
especially true on the gay side of the industry.
— Andrew Quaintance, VP of Sales, Pulse
”
that doesn’t mean it’s going backward—the company has
embraced advancing technology and trends, much to its
advantage.
“As technology has evolved, both Pulse and myself have
become far more efficient in our global reach. Using such
outlets as weekly new release e-mails, social media and
even the simplicity of instant messaging, we are more
familiar and in instant touch with our clients and their
needs,” Quaintance says. “Because of the variety of products
Pulse carries, we can create offers that other individual
companies may not be able to accommodate. Whether a
client is looking for gay, tranny, bi, feature or even toys, I
can accommodate their needs. Subsequently, by having this
to a lot of great movies, in many amazing
genres. For the studios, it’s about sales and
word on the street. If we do well in providing
for our clients, then they hear it, and therefore
so do other studios looking for a distribution
channel.”
Also successful on the straight side, Pulse
has cemented itself as the most desirable
destination for gay studios looking for an extra
dose of attention and respect.
“2015 to 2016 has been spectacular for
Pulse; this is especially true on the gay side
of the industry,” Quaintance says. “There are
so many first-rate studios that I have admired
issues brought about by the now obsolete 8mm and
VHS formats. These are such historic full-length feature
movies … I love them!”
Also joining was Skyn Men, a new startup using many
recognizable names and notable newcomers (“This is a
must-have line for stores and websites alike”); Daddy’s
Asians; Bareback Me Daddy; Big Rig Studios; Wank This;
and Dallas Reeves. “We accept any new studio that offers
something unique to our lineup, but it must be top notch
in what it does. I feel honored when any studio comes to
us for distribution.”
The only contrast Quaintance sees between the gay and
straight sides—besides the obvious genre differences—are
the models. “I see many more fresh newcomers making a
vast variety to sell, I am constantly able to create new and
exciting deals and offers.”
Quaintance says he doesn’t have any magic tricks to
make every sales outlet an instant or overnight success.
He’s an open book and will happily share his thoughts and
experiences to anyone that needs some advice for their
specific situation.
“Our buyers are extremely savvy in the way they
conduct their businesses, which is why they do so well.
What started as business relationships has turned into
friendships over the many years I’ve worked in this
industry. Maintaining these strong connections helps both
sides achieve success.”
And that success keeps breeding more excitement—not
GAYVN
for many years, and working with Pulse, I
have the privilege to be able to represent them
and provide their outstanding product to our
distribution buyers worldwide.”
The company’s list of offerings reads like
a who’s who of gay titans, including BelAmi,
Kristen Bjorn, Lukas Ridgeston, Kinky Angels,
Sean Cody, Corbin Fisher and, fittingly, Titan
Media. “This gives our buying clients the
unique ability to buy a full range of gay in one
place … we are so diverse we can be a top
provider for most any client no matter what
48 | AVN.com | 9.16
name for themselves on the gay side. It seems to still be
much more about established models on the straight side
of the industry.”
He adds that it’s the cast of a film that can really
make or break a movie. “A great cast, along with real
passion between the guys, makes all the difference.
Also, in today’s world, a unique genre goes a long way.
Gym, sports, politics, military, parody, prison, turned,
cheaters, POV and of course condom-less are among the
top genres. I’d love to see more true feature films being
created.”
While Pulse has championed the resurgence of DVD,
just for fans, but for Quaintance and his colleagues as well.
“Though we are always looking to implement new ideas
and expand our goals, we have two amazing things in
the works I can tell you about … a new studio entitled
MormonBoyz—a great genre with crazy, hot content … you
can expect this studio to rise quite rapidly to a top spot. I
expect our first release sometime in early September,” he
says. “Also, our award-winning Rapture Novelties line is in
the middle of some big growth. Soon, there will be a much
broader list of popular products that will expand this line
way past the BDSM market that it is currently dominating
in.”