The 2013 Free Speech Coalition board of directors election has now commenced. We strongly encourage all FSC members to cast their votes, and are proud to offer our recommendations.
By now, all FSC members should have received their electronic ballot via email. If you have not, then contact FSC office at (818) 348-9373 or email info@freespeechcoalition.com.
The voting period ends on Dec 22.
Today, the adult business, and liberty itself, is being assaulted on all sides, and many online voices are complicit in these attacks — they seek to undermine your confidence in industry institutions and standards, to convince you that resistance to our enemies is futile, and that positive change is impossible. They say your liberties are not worth defending, your vote is useless, and that all is lost.
Those who would have you give up are lying to you. They have a vested interest in your apathy, for when porn valley stumbles, they benefit.
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the candidates and VOTE.
Here are the TRPWL team’s recommendations for the 2013 election, in alphabetical order by last name.
Bob Christian
BOB CHRISTIAN
BIO – Has been with Adam & Eve/PHE Inc for over 17 years. Currently serves as GM for Adam & Eve Pictures, as well as a member of Adam & Eve’s senior management/marketing team. Was part of the creation of our Adam & Eve Retail Stores company, currently with over 50 franchised stores open, and holds the office of President of the retail stores company – AEFC, Inc.. Served on the FSC Board of Directors 2012-2013, and as Treasurer in 2013.
Prior to Adam & Eve, worked as GM of General Vitamin, one of Phil Harvey’s non-adult businesses. Proud of graduating from both Duke University and from the University of North Carolina (MBA) – especially proud during Basketball season (and even football season this year!)
“I would like to be on the FSC Board of Directors because…”
… the Free Speech Coalition is doing important things for the entire adult industry, and I would like to continue to contribute to that work, as best I can, on behalf of both Adam & Eve and myself. FSC’s role with the PASS testing program, fighting for improvement or elimination of the 2257 regulations, combating the City, County and CA state-wide versions and impacts of “Measure B”, and developing meaningful programs to serve the Retailer, Manufacturer, Pleasure Products, Talent and other parts of the industry and the FSC membership – these initiatives all continue. I would like to help FSC continue to improve for all its members.
TRPWL says:
We know Bob Christian as an extremely knowledgable and honest gentleman, as well as a “can do” person. Adam & Eve/PHE is certainly a goliath in the adult world, but both the company and its owner, Phil Harvey, are also renowned for their social consciousness — this is not just a business for them.
Bob Christian is a current board member, and the adult community would be well served by his re-election.
Christian Mann
CHRISTIAN MANN
BIO – A 34 year veteran of the adult business, Christian Mann has worked in various capacities including magazine publication, mail-order, production, sales and marketing. As owner of Video Team, he pioneered niche marketing with the popular all-girl series “No Man’s Land” and the urban series “My Baby Got Back.”
Christian is no stranger to the challenges faced by Free Speech Coalition members trying to earn a livelihood marketing adult products for adult consumers. He was federally indicted in 1989, withstood an obscenity trial in Texas in defense of the 1st Amendment, and was eventually acquitted of all charges. 20 years later, as Evil Angel’s General Manager, Christian assisted the legal team in John Stagliano’s successful obscenity defense in Washington D.C. in the summer of 2010.
Today, Christian Mann focuses his attention on Evil Angel’s marketing and brand position with an emphasis on both subscriber and advertiser funded new media.
Christian currently serves on the FSC Board of Directors as he did once before in the mid 1990’s. In this capacity, Christian was instrumental in launching FSC’s Performer Availability Screening Services (PASS) initiative in the wake of the closure of AIM.
Christian is the recipient of AVN’s 1st Amendment Defense Award in 1991, the Free Speech Coalition “Good Guy Award” in 2000 and most recently has been inducted in the “AVN Hall of Fame – Founder’s Branch” in 2010.
“I would like to be on the FSC Board of Directors because…”
I want to be on the FSC Board of Directors in order to continue the work we’ve done with PASS and to see it used by the performers, agencies and studios as the resource it was designed to be. I remain committed to the idea that nothing is as effective in informing and protecting the performers, even in an environment where regulations, HIPPA laws, CalOSHA and politically motivated third parties make the task seem like an impossible challenge. I know that as an industry, we can rise above our differences and work together for the good of all concerned.
TRPWL says:
Christian Mann is one of the most respected and accomplished members of the adult community, and has been a voice for unity, reason and compassion. He has worked tirelessly to combat the lies and propaganda promoted by those who seek to undermine your rights and your business. He is the kind of man you’d be glad to ride the river with.
Christian Mann is a current board member, and the adult community would be well served by his re-election
CHANEL PRESTON
BIO – Chanel Preston has quickly grabbed the attention of industry leaders and captured the hearts of fans across the globe in her three short years in the business. The stunning, funny, 27-year-old beauty boasts an impulsive, adventuresome personality, cultivated from the strength and independence derived from a childhood in central Alaska, along with her years on the beaches of Hawaii – which, when combined, makes her a natural performer, eager to amaze. From her debut in Vivid Entertainment’s “Brand New Faces” series, the 5’8” long-legged stunner rose quickly to fame, securing her position in the industry as a strong, professional, ethical performer. Chanel’s celebrated scenes and immense exposure earned her Best New Starlet awards from XBIZ, XCritic, NightMoves, CAVR, XRCO, and The Galaxy Awards – in fact, XRCO designated Chanel as the “Heart-On Girl” for its 2010 awards ceremony, before a single scene of hers had been released to the public. The Penthouse Pet and 2011 NightMoves Best Female Performer winner was also named part of CNBC’s “Dirty Dozen” two years in a row, in 2012 and 2013. Chanel’s crossover appeal was evident when she secured the position of host and face for “Inside Adult,” X3Sixty’s cable entertainment program, dubbed the “Entertainment Tonight” of the adult industry. “Inside Adult,” now in its second season, broadcasts to over 20 million homes via On-Demand networks. Chanel, who hosted the 2013 AVN Awards Red Carpet, was recently named a host of the 2014 AVN Awards Show, broadcast internationally on the Showtime Network – this gorgeous personality has only just begun to make her strong, feminist mark upon the world. For more information, visit www.ChanelPreston.com or www.Twitter.com/ChanelPreston.
“I would like to be on the FSC Board of Directors because…”
I want to be an FSC Board member because I want to be representation for adult performers in the industry. Decisions made by FSC directly affect performers and it’s important that they have an accurate voice in current and future matters. Currently, there are not many resources for performers to get information on what’s happening in their industry and they are so often informed by skewed sources. I want to be a part of FSC so I can gain more knowledge for myself as well as for others in order to make this industry a more safe and more respected place to work.
TRPWL commentary:
Mo Reese
MO REESE
BIO – Mo Reese is an adult content producer and photographer with an extensive and rich professional mainstream background. Mo, as he’s most commonly known, was born and raised in Oregon State. He moved to Los Angeles after graduating from the Art Institute of Seattle in 1997. He then worked in commercial photography for eight years before actively making the transition to adult.
Mo has since worked in a variety of production capacities for several noteworthy studios – as a Director, Producer, and General Manager for Madness Pictures; as a Production Manager for Adam & Eve; and as a Production Assistant/Wardrobe Stylist for Wicked Pictures (among many others). Ever invested in the entire creative process, Mo has directed, edited, and performed in several award-nominated POV titles including Latin Mouth Club, Asian Mouth Club 5, 6, and 7. And, though his skill set has diversified, Mo’s passion for photography has not fallen by the wayside – he has continued his work with the camera, shooting some of the industry’s top performers and hottest rising stars.
Fueled by his love of porn and politics, Mo is a vocal activist for adult industry rights and welfare. He maintains: “I’m an average guy – I don’t have fame, I don’t run a big company, and I don’t have a political agenda. But I have built many close personal and business relationships over the years. I’m passionate about what I do, and I’m committed to helping make the industry better for all its workers.”
Mo Reese
www.theaveragemo.com, Twitter: @MOXXX
“I would like to be on the FSC Board of Directors because…”
We’ve all heard the saying “knowledge is power” – it brings about awareness and, occasionally, community development. But in terms of politics and policy, it often seems like the general population of any group is the last to know… and sometimes the last to care. I want to address the issue of industry awareness via a seat on the FSC Board of Directors. And I’ve already started working on it.
Using social media, I helped keep topics like Measure B and AB332 in front of our industry’s general population and the people it affected most – performers and producers. I traveled to Sacramento in April 2013 alongside FSC members and industry leaders to help fight AB332. I called attention to proposed policy inconsistencies existing between AB332 (condoms in porn) and AB999 (condoms in prisons), asking why some groups would support condoms in porn and not condoms in prisons. This inspired a story written by Susan Abram for the LA Daily News and an about-face from anti-industry activists.
I have a broad professional skill set, but I don’t specialize in any one thing. I talk about industry-relevant information with people throughout our community, but I don’t speak for anyone but myself. At the same time, however, my experiences relate directly to the experiences of a large proportion of the industry. I’m running for a seat on the FSC’s Board of Directors in hopes of adding an “everyperson” voice dedicated to improving the adult industry community.
As a member of the FSC Board of Directors, I hope to bring a more “average citizen’s” point of view to our trade organization. I feel this type of “daily life” perspective would be beneficial in at least two ways. First, I am closely connected to relatively typical “life and work in porn” experiences. Conversations about issues impacting our community could benefit immensely from this sort of familiarity. Second, my involvement will provide FSC with an additional way to connect with members of the industry. Ideally, this will make the organization feel more accessible to the entire adult community and will foster increased performer awareness.
Ultimately, I am running for a seat on the FSC’s Board of Directors because I want to actively work toward bringing members of our industry closer together. This way, we can take on the challenges we collectively face.
TRPWL says:
Mark ‘BLAZING’ Schechter
MARK ‘BLAZING’ SCHECHTER
BIO – Owner, ATMLA (Adult Talent Managers Los Angeles); 55 years old, married with five children, two grandchildren. Has been in the adult industry for 15+ years (since 1998). Areas of involvement include affiliate marketing, content production, sales, publishing and distribution all in association with being part owner of award-winning affiliate program Blazingbucks. I also have extensive experience working with porn star models, having built and managed high profile porn star model sites, and now as an agent owner of ATMLA, Adult Talent Managers.
“I would like to be on the FSC Board of Directors because…”
With my well rounded array of knowledge and experience in the industry, having worked in several different aspects for a number of years, I feel I am a strong candidate for a position on the Board of Directors for the FSC and if elected, I feel I would be a positive contributor and participant of decision making policy’s and events that involve our industry.
TRPWL says:
Mark Schechter is an excellent choice for the FSC board for three reasons: his breadth of experience; his direct access to a large pool of adult performers; and last but not least, as the owner of a major talent agency he can be the long-needed liaison between two adult industry institutions, FSC and LATATA.
Many, many performers and producers trust and respect Mark Schechter, and the adult community would be well served by his addition to the board.
