CAM4 turned heads this spring with the announcement of Max Konnor as the platform’s first male ambassador. The fan-favorite performer has parlayed his cam stardom into a thriving career in all-male adult, but hasn’t left behind the platform that introduced him to the world.
“We’ve watched Max build his empire and really thrive in the industry,” Program Manager Gwen Coleman explained. “When we were looking for our first male ambassador, he was at the top of our list. This is the perfect opportunity for us to collaborate with him on a larger scale and bring loads of exciting content to CAM4. When we’re considering someone as a CAM4 ambassador, we’re looking for someone who is engaging and entertaining. We want someone who cares deeply about their fans.”
I can pull out every trick in the book and put on an amazing show, but if I’m not relatable or likable, who cares? I try to create a sense of family with all of my fans on any platform.
CAM4 has redoubled its commitment to diversity, which led naturally to the decision to crown a male brand ambassador.
“Our site is for everyone,” Coleman expressed. “We hope to continue expanding our ambassador program to reach a variety of markets. Choosing an ambassador such as Max, who is consistently creating incredible male content, was the best option for us to reach the gay market. The fact that he started his career on our platform made this decision seem meant to be.”
Communications Manager Shannon McD noted CAM4 has been “highly focused” on ensuring the gay market has been supported, and visible, in the company’s outreach efforts.
“We are constantly exploring authentic and impactful partnership opportunities with the LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “Today, this effort is truly one of the pillars of our business, in an industry that is typically and historically focused on promoting a particular gender or stereotypical adult performer. CAM4 proudly makes a point of welcoming men, women, non-binary, transgender and any other non-conforming human who wishes to express themselves. We’ve developed meaningful relationships with our LGBTQ+ performers and support initiatives that champion this community to its fullest.”
Shannon McD emphasized the deeply personal connections often formed through camming, whether between performer-and-viewer, or performer-and-platform.
“With camming, it is such an individual experience,” she mused. “Gay men and bisexual and bi-curious men really develop their own unique way of creating shows and both have a vast array of fans and viewers. In a world that is digital, many viewers are able to explore their preferences and experiment in ways they wouldn’t necessarily do with face-to-face interaction. We are an open community that supports all types.”
In recent months, Gwen Coleman has marveled at the rapid uptick of interest in camming in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“With so many people quarantined world-wide, it’s been interesting to see how folks have responded and subsequently adapted,” Coleman said. “We’ve seen a significant increase in viewers, fans and performers throughout the world.”
She described the inherent potential to connect “on a global scale,” as Konnor has done, with viewers. “Performers are connecting with their loyal fanbases even more and asking for support. The community has uplifted each other greatly and we’ve seen such a positive outcome to a difficult situation.”
“Cam shows are all about engaging with your fans and viewers. It’s all about discovering what works best for you as a broadcaster, and that discovery is part of the exciting journey,” Coleman explained. “We offer the tools, support and resources to help each broadcaster thrive at all stages of their career. Since filming and production sets are on hold, many adult stars have taken interest in creating their own content and are finding our platform to be an effective revenue generating tool. They are also realizing that the amount of exposure through our platform is getting them new fans and viewers from all around the world.”
Towards that end, Konnor will headline monthly live shows and attend industry events on behalf of CAM4. He’ll also anchor marketing campaigns and other promotions. “We can’t get enough of him, and evidently, neither can his fans!” Coleman enthused. “Max has been putting together some really fun and sexy live content for his fans during the [coronavirus production hold], including naked fitness shows.”
XBIZ quizzed Konnor about his rocket-fueled transition from out-of-work actor to brand ambassadorship and other top camming tips and tricks.
“I started camming in 2017. I was between acting gigs and I stumbled across it and thought it would be a good idea to do it anonymously. A few things have changed since then! I’m much better at it now than I was then,” he quipped.
After getting his feet wet, Konnor described a fairly smooth transition to studio shoots. “Shortly after [debuting on cam], I was receiving so much great feedback from CAM4 fans, so I decided that maybe I would be decent at porn,” he said. “So, like I do, I jumped right in. The biggest thing is now it’s not anonymous. People know who I am. More importantly, they’ve come to expect a certain caliber performance from me in cam shows and I have to do my best to deliver that every time.”
Konnor has elected not to develop a separate, distinct persona when he is onscreen. “‘Max Konnor’ and I are the same,” he averred. “I may show more of my dominant side through him, but it’s still all me. Although, it’s funny; a lot of people think I’m more aggressive and mean than I am! I’m a big dork who loves to love and loves to be loved. And I’m extremely excited and honored to be the first male Ambassador for CAM4. I’ve come full circle and it’s just the beginning.”
The performer has famously described camming as feeling like “having sex with hundreds of people at the same time.” It’s a vivid analogy; the personalized connection is what makes a cam show special, he said.
“I believe a big aspect of keeping fans and viewers wanting and coming back for more is interaction. I can pull out every trick in the book and put on an amazing show, but if I’m not relatable or likable, who cares? I try to create a sense of family with all of my fans on any platform,” he explained.
“I must say, it’s been a joy being back on CAM4. It’s like a family. No matter how long you’re apart, everyone always ends up coming back and it’s like we never left each other,” Konnor observed. “I hope, somehow, I’ve been an example to other performers that connection equals longevity. ‘Sexy’ is only entertaining for a time. You let these people in and see you as a person? You’ve got fans — friends — for life.”
