FM:So how did you get started in PR and were you always involved in adult PR?E I: Before I got into Adult, I worked in advertising as a copywriter and art director. I got burnt out on advertising and decided to find a new niche. My first Adult gig was working as a buyer for the Netflix of Porn, WantedList. I also wrote their sex advice column, Dear Betty, and helped them get their video on demand program off the ground. While working at WantedList, a vendor suggested that I do PR. So, I gave it a try and Shane’s World was my first freelance client. I then went on to work for a studio with a few lines doing PR and didn’t like the vibe, so I decided to start my own company. It’s been almost 3 years and The Rub PR has doubled our business twice now. I started specializing in studios and a distribution company, but my focus now is mainly performers.
FM:Where are you orginally from?
E I: Queens, NY, like John Gotti.
FM:What is life like doing PR?
FM: Currently how many people do you represent?
E I: Right now I have Diamond Kitty, Lisa Sparxxx, Alia Janine, Tara Lynn Foxx, TS Mia Isabella, Flash Brown, TS Liberty Harkness, Kelly Klass, Adult Trading Card Company and Black Market Entertainment and Home Made Media. That’s 10. And pretty soon I will be working on the PR for the Urban X Awards—last year, was my first time working with them. I’ve also done PR for Nyomi Banxxx, Alexander DeVoe, Kelly Divine, Julie Simone, Marie Madison/Maddy G Productions and Pulse Distribution.
FM: Do want to work in the mainstream field of PR?
E I: Not really. I really like Adult and the people I work for and the industry as a whole. It’s really not as “sleazy” as people make it out to be. I’ve met some people I know will be my friends for life. If the right mainstream client came along, I’d consider it. I’ve had a few before.
FM: What are your future goals?
E I: I’d like to grow my business even further, so I can have more employees and an office. Right now, I work out of my house and just have an assistant. But my goal has always been to be the best publicist in Adult. I was nominated for Publicist of the Year in 2010—I didn’t win, but I hope to someday.
FM: What songs are you currently digging the most?
E I: My iPod is so all over the place. I love classic hip hop like Tribe Called Quest and the Beastie Boys, classic rock like The Who and The Stones, dance music like Paul Oakenfold, Basement Jax, and Thievery Corporation, and there’s my secret love of 80s music (well, not so secret anymore). I recently added the LastFM app on my iPad--I listen to that a lot and created a ton of stations on it.
FM: What is Erika's personal style what type labels do you wear?
E I: I can’t really put a name on my style—it’s rockabilly, punk, classic and cool. I have 20 tats and like to show them whenever possible. I love dark jeans, low-cut camisoles, glamorous retro dresses, heels, my Vans skateboard shoes, faux flowers in my hair, my faux leopard coat and silver hoop earrings. My favorite colors are pink and black. Every day is a different chance to have a new look with my clothes. I like shopping at Torrid, Forever 21 and Hot Topic. My fave brands are Betsey Johnson, Baby Phat, Apple Bottoms and Tiffany & Co, of course (all the ladies love the light blue box).
FM: Where is the best place to hangout where you live?
E I: Not sure if I should let this cat out of the bag, since I like to keep a low profile. I really like Lola’s in West Hollywood—they have amazing martinis. My client, Adult Trading Card Company, has this amazing restaurant that serves chicken. It’s called Chicks and it’s in Woodland Hills. Being a girl, of course I love the mall and shopping. But my favorite place is the SGI Friendship Center—I’m a Buddhist and we chant, have meetings and there’s an amazing bookstore. Being a Buddhist keeps me on the right path, happy and extremely calm, when I need it.
E I: There’s never a dull moment. Every day is totally different. It’s not just press releases, because I’m a full service agency. There’s interviews, appearances, award presentations, arranging feature dancing and even toys (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg)—I got two of my clients toy lines last year with major toy companies. I work pretty much every day and usually more than 8 hours Monday through Friday. I’m available pretty much all the time for my clients. Sometimes, they just call me to talk, because they need someone to listen to them. The industry parties are fun, but the best thing is being able to tell a client that I got them something big—sometimes I think I get more excited than them about stuff.
Comments
Post a Comment