Page 18 - AVN August 2018

EDITOR’S DESK | By Sharan Street
EDITOR’S DESK | By Sharan Street
EDITOR’S DESK
EDITOR’S DESK
DO THE SIDE HUSTLE
Sean Michaels, Markus Dupree launch new ventures
This month’s AVN magazine focuses on one of
the most successful brand managers in the adult
industry: Greg Lansky, founder of the Vixen
Media Group. In Dan Miller’s cover story, the veteran
director shares the story of how he came to America,
toiled in relative anonymity, and then went on to build
his own empire, starting first with Blacked.com and
following that with three other imprints: Tushy, Vixen
and Blacked Raw.
Miller interviews various industry observers as
well as several key players in Lansky’s orbit. But it’s
Lansky himself who speaks most authoritatively on the
appeal of his brands, and how he has found success by
engaging directly with fans.
“We just happen to do porn but we’re a lifestyle
brand, and in my opinion we sell the hardest product
that you can sell,” Lansky says. “First of all because we
compete with free, which isn’t easy; and second, we
create prestige where you normally don’t see it.
Taking a chance is the first step toward creating one’s
own company. At AVN, we’re in the privileged position
of hearing about ventures fresh out of the gate. Two
such endeavors involve high-profile male stars.
Since entering the adult entertainment industry in
1989, Sean Michaels has done it all as a performer and
director. But this year he’s diversified even further,
working to launch a mobile app that gives models and
performers another avenue to use in monetizing their
interactions with fans. Michaels is working with his
manager, Ron Hancock, to introduce the app—called
SemienX PocketPPV—to industry folk.
PocketPPV allows fans to purchase tokens to use
within the app for direct video chat with the performers
they love. Michaels says he uses the app. “It works
smoothly and fans seem to like the one-on-one
interaction as well,” he said.
“As a 30-year entrepreneur in the adult industry—
director, producer, performer—I felt the need and
necessity for a better avenue to communicate with my
important supporters, fans, etc., so I collaborated with
my website designers,” Michaels explains.
He says the platform will be useful to many in the
industry. “All can utilize our PPV3 app to enhance and
grow their everyday businesses,” Michaels says. The
one-on-one contact is what fans want, he says, because
it creates a sense of intimacy.
Fans log into the site and pay for a token that can be
used for a set amount of time—with the rates and times
negotiated between the model and the fan. The fan
purchases the token and makes the call using the app.
Once all the time is spent, fans can no longer get access
until after they purchase another token.
According to FAQ on SemienX.com, PocketPPV is a
peer-to-peer video conferencing app that allows users to
accept paid calls from viewers and fans. All they need is
a smartphone or computer and a major credit card.
The app can be useful to anyone who wants to
monetize a personal brand. PocketPPV could help
veteran performers who have a strong fan base but who
do not cam. And it allows models who cam regularly to
augment their income in creative ways.
“It’s a no-brainer for our industry,” he says. But
he also believes the technology has utility far beyond
adult entertainers. Mainstream personalities—YouTube
artists, reality TV stars, celebrity chefs, fashion
18 | AVN.com | 8.18
designers—could also use it to engage with the public.
To find out more, visit SemienX.com. Or follow
@semienx1 and @seanmichaels42 on Twitter.
Another adventurous launch is VogoV.io, a pet project
of AVN’s reigning Male Performer of the Year, Markus
Dupree, who has teamed up with with industry veteran
Ivan Kirillov, and software development and investment
expert Constantine to launch both an adult studio and a
new cryptocurrency.
Kirillov and Constantine are in charge of the business
side, and Dupree works on creative production matters.
Dupree talks up the content with gusto, showing
elegant footage of his scenes with adult stars Mia
Malkova, Gina Valentina and Vicki Chase.
Dupree introduces us to Constantine, who answers in
the affirmative when asked if Dupree is well-known in
his native Russia. “He is one of the most famous porn
actors—he is number one,” Constantine asserts.
Constantine talks about the new company, explaining
that “VogoV is a ‘child’ from three parents: Markus,
Ivan and I. Each of us has different areas of expertise
and responsibilities. Together we’re experiencing
synergy … 1+1+1=4. The 4 is VogoV.”
But it’s not just the glossy teasers on VogoV that grab
attention. Behind the scenes, VogoV is a different type
of venture in some significant ways.
First, members will subscribe using a cryptocurrency
called OGO Coin that gives them access to a network
that includes the sites VogoV.com, TeenMegaWorld.
net and TmwVRnet.com. Using OGO Coin benefits
porn fans by providing a discounted membership
subscription priced at a third of what it would be using
a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar. And it’s also a secure
alternative to traditional billing methods.
Constantine, whose responsibilities include serving
as the token sales manager, shares the details on the
initial offering of OGO coin.
Constantine adds, “One of the aspects of our token
sale that has not been highlighted is that we already
have two advisers: Bridgette B. and Rocco Siffredi.
…. We are developing a cryptocurrency infrastructure
that’s composed of a payment solution, a marketplace
and a cryptocurrency exchange. These three solutions
interconnect ... they have a single entry point that is a
cryptocurrency wallet that’s going to be released soon.”
But on top of creating a studio supported by
cryptocurrency, the VogoV team is thinking outside the
box in another way. “We are bringing a new concept
of a porn studio,” Constantine says. Calling the studio
“decentralized and interactive,” he explains that OGO
coin holders will have the possibility of voting on the
video production process.
According to a white paper on the new company,
“The decision-making process will be held on a voting
platform that is not only decentralized and transparent,
but also anonymous. Every token holder will be able
to vote on the content to be filmed, on scenarios, on
participating actresses and actors, and on other aspects
within the voting charter.”
According to Constantine, people will have a chance
to buy OGO Coin during the pre-crowd sale, which runs
August 21-31, and the first round of the crowd sale,
held September 26-November 14.
For more information, visit VogoV.io. To see Dupree’s
content, visit VogoV.com.
ad index
ad index
AdultCentro....................................................... 97, 99, 101
AdultCentro............................................................... 97, 99
AEBN
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AEBN. ............................................................................... 41
Age ID.............................................................................. 19
Age ID.............................................................................. 19
AGW Entertainment. ........................................................ 13
AGW Entertainment. ........................................................ 13
Analized.com................................................................... 21
Analized.com................................................................... 21
ASACP. ........................................................................... 104
ASACP. ........................................................................... 104
AVN Advertising. .............................................................. 36
AVN Awards..................................................................... 47
AVN Awards..................................................................... 47
AVN Show...................................................................... 107
AVN Show...................................................................... 101
Blacked Raw. .................................................................... 53
Bedroom Products/Rock Candy.................................... 107
CalExotics. .......................................................................... 2
Blacked Raw. .................................................................... 53
CAMStar. ............................................Insert between 26-27
CalExotics. .......................................................................... 2
Chaturbate....................................................................... 35
CAMStar. ............................................Insert between 26-27
Doc Johnson.................................................................... 83
Chaturbate....................................................................... 35
East Coast News........................................................ 61, 63
Doc Johnson.................................................................... 83
Elegant Angel.................................................................. 23
East Coast News........................................................ 61, 63
Eldorado Trading........................................... 75, 77, 79, 81
Elegant Angel.................................................................. 23
Free Speech Coalition................................................... 105
Eldorado Trading........................................... 75, 77, 79, 81
Free Speech Coalition................................................... 105
FuckingAwesome.com. .................................................... 37
Gamma Entertainment............................................... 10-11
FuckingAwesome.com. .................................................... 37
Gamma Entertainment............................................... 10-11
iWantClips/iWantFanClub. .......................................6-7, 8-9
iWantClips/iWantFanClub. .......................................6-7, 8-9
James Deen Productions. ................................................ 15
James Deen Productions. ................................................ 15
Kelly Madison Media....................................................... 29
Jules Jordan Video........................................................ 108
LELO. ................................................................................ 85
Kelly Madison Media....................................................... 29
ManyVids. ......................................................................... 57
LELO. ................................................................................ 85
MissaX.com. ..................................................................... 36
ManyVids. ......................................................................... 57
MyFreeCams.com. ........................................................... 27
ModelHub. .................................................................. 16-17
njoy. .................................................................................. 89
MyFreeCams.com. ........................................................... 27
pjur................................................................................... 87
njoy. .................................................................................. 89
Pussycash......................................................................... 25
pjur................................................................................... 87
Python/Lucom. ................................................................. 91
Pussycash......................................................................... 25
Satisfyer. ...............................................65, 66-67, 69, 70-73
Python/Lucom. ................................................................. 91
Stripchat........................................................................... 31
Satisfyer. ...............................................65, 66-67, 69, 70-73
TrafficJunky. ................................................................. 16-17
Stripchat........................................................................... 31
Wicked Pictures. .......................................................... 3, 4-5
Wicked Pictures. .......................................................... 3, 4-5