Posted on 04/03/2006 4:56:15 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
PLAYBOY, the US-based adult publisher and broadcaster, is considering using Britain as a testing ground for moving into the gay market for the first time, it was reported today.
Playboy wants to launch a new gay brand to boost revenues, the Times said.
Chief-executive Christine Hefner said: "We've extended the Playboy brand to women, and where there is a meaningful gay market, launching under a different brand is something we are very comfortable doing.
"In the UK, our television people are very interested, and I wouldn't be surprised if we launched something this year, given the importance of the market in Britain."
The Playboy group is planning to tap into the gay market as part of a strategy to diversify its interests away from the company's magazine, which is only just profitable despite a three-million-strong circulation.
It has already launched a range of clothing and accessories, mostly for women, and is planning to supply adult video clips to mobile phones.
According to The Business newspaper, Playboy could also launch a chain of shops across Europe this year. The group already has boutiques in Tokyo, Melbourne and Las Vegas in Nevada.
Playboy products are also sold in stores in Europe such as Selfridges in London and Collette in Paris.
It's enough to put a bloke off his lunch!
Are they just copying and pasting the centerfolds from playgirl?
Puts an entirely new slant on Playmate of the Month...
New Name will be "Play ButtBump." < / sarc
It could do an anual "men" of the San Fran Bathhouses or a spread of Home Decorators.
Playboy always targeted faggoty men anyway. Ie, playboys.
I thought that lesbians were already buying Playboy.
Well they've been targeting lesbians trapped in men's bodies for quite a while now.
In Great Britain, it may be just the thing.
Playboi?
They forgot Rule One.
They've been publishing Playgirl for years. How is this news?
Hollywood has been trying to shove this down our throats for years ... it isn't working ... but give it a bloody go, bloke. It's your money.
Lends new meaning to the playing fields of Eton, they will probably have a spread.
Lets keep this pommy thread a little more low key than the last one, in the twilight of Empire the lime's are a little sensitive.
Let me assure you, I won't be touching the bloody thing!
I strictly adhere to Rule 1!
Gag me!
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