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Articles by Scott Ross

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Hardcore Couple: LéWood Creates ‘Raincoat’ Porn

LéWood Productions has been producing its brand of quality, unassuming smut for more than a decade, but according to Francesca Lé, who runs the studio alongside her husband and business partner, Mark Wood, some people think the company launched last year when Evil Angel released the debut volume of their fetish-oriented anal flick “Gag, Gasp, and Gape.”

Scott Ross ·
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Steady Rise — Spartacus Leathers' Josh Miller

Spartacus Leathers launched in Portland 26 years ago as a single adult retail store known for offering highquality, adult leather goods. Josh Miller joined the company as an inventory control specialist a little more than 15 years ago while the company was still manufacturing its leather goods in its retail store’s basement. Miller worked his way up through the ranks and today is vice president of the company, which has transformed from a local adult retailer into a manufacturer of premium leather, metal, and rubber goods that are sold globally.

Scott Ross ·

Exec Seat: Joanne Cachapero, FSC’s Utility Player

While Joanne Cachapero’s business card states that she is the Free Speech Coalition’s membership director, as one of the FSC’s three full-time staff members, Cachapero is called upon to wear many hats: membership director, marketer, publicist, trade show representative, blogger, producer, and spokesperson, among many others. Cachapero, who was an adult industry journalist for XBIZ before joining the FSC staff in 2008, essentially functions as a de facto communications director for the FSC. She kindly took time from her busy schedule to answer a few questions from XBIZ about the FSC and the state of the adult industry.

Scott Ross ·

Biker Lube: Born to Be Wild

Biker Lube is a water-based lubricant launched last year that is designed to appeal to the biker lifestyle. The company offers a product line that reflects a tongue-inc-heek attitude regarding the dangerous stereotypes associated with bikers: cigarette-themed lube packaging, a prison-rape inspired flog handle with a phallic shape dubbed the Prison Head Handle, a billy club-shaped handle with a name that alludes to police brutality (the Bad Cop Handle), and another flog handle inspired by brass knuckles (the Knuckle Head). “It’s not for the faint heart or people who don’t appreciate the attitude,” acknowledges Dave Hagan, founder of Biker Lube. “It also brings the edge in the bedroom as well.”

Scott Ross ·
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Executive Seat: Carmen Mortazavi Reinvents California Fantasies

California Fantasies, located in Orange County, is a manufacturer of quality cosmetic and personal products. Carmen Mortazavi, who took over California Fantasies this past June, is not one of those owners who ignores valuable information — it’s a lesson she learned from her mentors.

Scott Ross ·

Pleasure Products Executives Celebrate XBIZ Award Wins

Swedish designer brand LELO celebrated its 10th anniversary in style at the XBIZ Awards on Friday night by picking up the Pleasure Products Company of the Year award.

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Details Matter: Manufacturers Bank on Fresh Designs

The adult novelty industry is, from all accounts, a saturated marketplace that requires every manufacturer to stay on top of the latest trends while trying to forge ahead in a constant attempt to gain even the slightest advantage on their competitors.

Scott Ross ·
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CB-X - Locked-In Success

A.L. Enterprises, a leading manufacturer of male chastity devices for the last decade, relaunched as CB-X in March to serve as the umbrella brand for the family-run business’ line of lightweight, hypoallergenic and easily customizable male chastity devices. Prior to the introduction of the umbrella brand, the company was primarily known as CB-6000, the name of their most popular product.

Scott Ross ·