PLAYBOY, IMAGE HOPE DEAL SIZZLES BRENT HOPKINS STAFF WRITER.CHATSWORTH _ The Playboy Bunny A Playboy Bunny was a waitress at the Playboy Clubs (open 1960–1988). They wore a costume called a bunny suit inspired by the tuxedo-wearing Playboy rabbit mascot, consisting of a corset, bunny ears, a collar, cuffs, and a fluffy cottontail. has hopped back to Image Entertainment for a multiyear partnership to distribute both videos and DVDs. The companies have a long history together, dating back to Image's days as a laserdisc An earlier optical disc used for full-motion video and interactive training. It was introduced in the late 1970s and became obsolete in the 1990s. Videodisc systems based on a stylus were introduced (see CED), but only the optical-based LaserDisc survived, although never very popular. producer, and have reteamed to push Playboy Playboy monthly magazine renowned for nude photographs. [Am. Pop. Cult.: Misc.] See : Eroticism Home Video's 200-plus title library in new formats. From a brand-name standpoint, said Garrett M. Lee, Image's vice president of marketing, the deal is an attractive one. ``It's always great when we can partner with a name brand,'' he said. ``Playboy is definitely one of the best ones in the world, right up there with Coca-Cola and the mouse ears.'' And while Disney's products might be a little more socially acceptable to have lying around the home entertainment center, Lee pointed out that the titles, a suggested $19.99 for both formats, will be found in all major video retailers. ``The Playboy product is definitely not in the class with (other) adult products,'' he said. ``We don't do hard-core products _ this is a magazine available on every newsstand, not some little bookstore with the windows painted black.'' Neither side disclosed terms of the deal, but Barry Leshtz, Playboy Home Video's senior vice president and general manager, said it could last for quite some time, based on past ties with Image. ``If we do the kind of business we expect, we should be in business together for up to another 15 years,'' he said. ``We have a very strong working relationship from top to bottom.'' According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. industry watchers, the move was well-advised. ``Image has emerged as the pre-eminent pre·em·i·nent or pre-em·i·nent adj. Superior to or notable above all others; outstanding. See Synonyms at dominant, noted. [Middle English, from Latin prae DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. label,'' said Thomas K. Arnold, editor at large for Video Store Magazine. ``They've got more titles on the market than anyone else. When laserdiscs started falling apart, they wisely saw the writing on the wall and changed to DVDs.'' Though Arnold said Playboy's soft-core fare falls into a relatively small niche in the overall industry, Image still counts it as a top brand name and hopes for perpetual popularity. ``It's very attractive for us to find evergreens,'' Lee said. ``It's not like a music release that sounds like the greatest thing since sliced bread Since Sliced Bread is an online contest sponsored by SEIU. People are asked to submit their best new economic idea to help working families. Of the thousands of ideas that are submitted, 21 will be chosen as finalists. , then dries out once they don't have a hot album. That doesn't happen with Playboy, it never dries out.'' |
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