I got to wondering the other day how many of us take the time to stop and look around at the world that is outside our own little bubble. Do we pay attention to what others are doing in the gay adult marketplace? I would guess most would answer in the affirmative. How about the straight side of this industry? Do we explore what those companies are doing? Are we noticing the caliber of product and innovative approaches our counterparts are producing? I doubt it. More important, are we studying what mainstream commerce is doing? Are there innovations in mainstream sites that we are not tapping into? What are our consumers experiencing outside the red light district, and how does that effect their expectations with adult sites?

I worry that our industry gives little credence to the environment our consumers spend most of their time in. When it comes to sophisticated marketing and sales techniques, and innovative packaging of the consumers’ experience, mainstream is taking the lead. Are we content to fulfill the stereotype of the older, run down, side of town - a dark environment that reeks of stale beer and dried cum?