Ambush Interview with Bradshaw

[BradShaw]

6. Discuss the KB email list incident.

He came to me offering to sell an email list. I paid $17k, it turned out not to be what he presented to me. $17k lesson learned. I hope KB bought some good coke and hookers with that $.


7. What's your connection to Fantasyman? Discuss

FM thinks he invented the adult internet, and we all owe everything to him. I first came across FM when he called me in early 1998 wanting to buy my SE traffic. He told me my traffic would make more $ with his program, if it did not he would pay me the difference. Needless to say, he fucked me over, only a few $k.

In the old days, word was that if FM did not support you that you could not be successful. He wielded an iron fist and intimidated many people, but not me. To this day, I laugh that I am in the position I am, and he is hiding behind more companies than David Van Der Poel! Most of the people who blew smoke up his ass are not out of the business. And CE is a shadow of its former self. I guess there are only so many processing companies to blow up.

I could go on and on about FM, it will all be in my book. Including his many "scams".

[Sheri Santiago]

I feel a need for the rickshaw photo with the next question

[BradShaw]

8. Where did you find Greg?

I placed an ad in the local paper looking for a marketing person to market my new venture, Fresh Photos. Greg used to work at Starbucks as a manager. I was impressed with his organization and ethniticity. He was lucky to find me, and vice versa.

How many people do you employ full time? Too many. Dallas office we have 6 full time employees. Accountant, video editor, Greg, Head Webaster, and 2 asst. webmasters. In Vancouver we have 3 programmers, and 3 other employees. So 12 total.

We also have 2 overseas employees, and looking to add more hard working AZNs.

[Whit Just Whit]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

8. Where did you find Greg?

I placed an ad in the local paper looking for a marketing person to market my new venture, Fresh Photos. Greg used to work at Starbucks as a manager. I was impressed with his organization and ethniticity. He was lucky to find me, and vice versa.
.

I LOVE GREG!!!!!! Whitney

[BradShaw]

9. Why did you get into Online Adult?

I was in college, and starting to think about WTF was I going to do when I graduated. I took a weekend class on building webpages in early 1997. Surfing around the net, like any guy I was looking for porn. I came across porn, and saw banners and "paysites", and knew right away there had to be a market there.

I threw my first site up on my free website that the university gave all students. Needless to say, the next day it got listed on PK and a lawyer from the school called me. The rest is history....

This is a business, not a hobby, not a recreation, not a means to get laid. I treat it as a business, and that is one reason I have been so successful over the years while many have come and gone.



10. Why did you trade off a sports car that was a stick shift?

It was a lotus, I got a Ferrari. No brainer. The lotus was very snug inside, and tough as hell to drive. Very low to the ground, and a tight stick, and tricky clutch. I never did like driving. The Ferrari is a joy to drive. Paddle shifters, roomy inside, and not too low to the ground where you have to worry driving around. Plus, it is a Ferrari and makes my penis look bigger.

But, I love modest, my Ferrari is a lease.

[polish_aristocrat]

What is more important to you - love or money?

[BradShaw]

11. Why are you located in Dallas?

Dallas is home, has always been home. Dallas is a good place to live, I can feel rich here on $100k a year!


12. What part of your operation is in BC? other areas?

Our programmers and content production are in our Vancouver office. Programmers are cheaper in Canada than in the US. The USD$ has taken a hit, but it was still a start move to open a Canadian office years ago.

Talent prices in Vancouver are on the rise, but when we first moved up there we could shoot girls DIRT cheap.

[LeeNoga]

I remember when Brad hired Dave to do his earlier sites, they were very nice! Brad never moved faster than he could afford to, his being cautious and a tight wad :-))

He only played the "Big Booth" at Internext game for one year...and then I never saw it again...his best booth was those massage recliners :-)

[HAPPYPEEKERS]

Fantastic Interview so far!

[boneprone]

Great Interview thus far..

Bookmarking this..

I will be back.

[V_RocKs]

[crickets] Brad? [crickets] [crickets] [crickets]
[crickets] [crickets] Hello? [crickets] [crickets]
Did I say something wrong? [crickets] [crickets] [crickets]
[crickets] [crickets] [crickets] [crickets]
[crickets] [crickets] [crickets]

[Sheri Santiago]

where's the rest?

Brad, step away from the Macaroni Grill....

[Bex]

I am sure the rest will be along shortly. He is likely contributing to the hall of fame threads or something.

[BradShaw]

Sorry, I was at lunch.

[tranza]

Where's the rest???

[BradShaw]

14. What's your political preferences federally and state wise.

I stay out of politics. I studied political science in college and got burned out. Have never regained any interest. I prefer anyone who will lower my taxes.


15. Do you plan to ever get out of adult and into another career?

Another career, no. I am always looking for other opportunities. But I am very cautious with any investments. You can lose $ fast with just a few bad choices.I plan on making bank in this, and moving on to something that I enjoy.

My dream is to open a very high end fishing lodge in Alaska or Canada. Along the lines of this place: http://www.kingpacificlodge.com/

[BradShaw]

16. Have you ever sued anyone in this business? Discuss

I have been sued several times, but I have never sued anyone in the biz. Send C&D's yes, but sued no. I am smart enough to know that lawyers are the only ones who win in lawsuits.

17. Have media personal ever toured your business? Have you ever sent
them to another person's business? Who, Why, Discuss

I have done media interviews, see the 2000 Rolling Stone with Brad Pitt on the cover.

I have never sent media anywhere, but I have assisted media and law enforcment in investigations into people and companies in the business.

18. Have you ever been investigated or charged by law enforcement re
business or personal.

Nope. I have never been arrested. Never had a speeding ticket. I run a clean tight ship.

[BradShaw]

19. What's your take on drugs and booze at industry events? Do you use
either - discuss

I could care a less if people do drugs, just do them behind closed doors. But, it is sad to see what drugs have done to some people in this biz. I have seen some very smart successful people turned into shells of their former selves.

Taking pictures of your drug use, or bragging about it on a message board is STUPID.

For the record, I have never done any drugs, not even pot.


20. What's the meanest prank you've ever played on anyone in this biz?

I have pulled many pranks. A recent one sticks out in my mind. Meat from Netpond has a hard on for me, always has for some reason. Jealous hater. I see him in Vegas this Jan. I already knew that JBM won the XBiz award for chat board of the year by then. So I tell him, I heard that Netpond won the award, congrats. And asked him if he is going to be there to accept. He about shit his pants and started telling everyone standing around him. He bought it.

So when I won the award, I hear some guy yelling out "wanker" with an accent, sounded like Meat.

Owned.

[BradShaw]

21. What is your biggest regret business related.

For the first few years of my biz I made a few mistakes.

-I stopped generating my own traffic, and went 100% into buying traffic
-I worried about other peoples business practices, when I should have taken that energy to be making $
-I was too conservative, and did not take enough chances pushing the limits smartly. The guys who got mega rich in the biz, pushed, pushed, pushed. And I do not see any of them in jail;-)

22. How many women/men have you had sex with in your life?

2 men a handful of women

[webgurl]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

Our programmers and content production are in our Vancouver office. Programmers are cheaper in Canada than in the US. The USD$ has taken a hit, but it was still a start move to open a Canadian office years ago.

Talent prices in Vancouver are on the rise, but when we first moved up there we could shoot girls DIRT cheap.

[Doctor Dre]

Word to the thurd

[Jason]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

21. What is your biggest regret business related.

-I stopped generating my own traffic, and went 100% into buying traffic

what he said

[JFK]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

9. Why did you get into Online Adult?

I was in college, and starting to think about WTF was I going to do when I graduated. I took a weekend class on building webpages in early 1997. Surfing around the net, like any guy I was looking for porn. I came across porn, and saw banners and "paysites", and knew right away there had to be a market there.

I threw my first site up on my free website that the university gave all students. Needless to say, the next day it got listed on PK and a lawyer from the school called me. The rest is history....

This is a business, not a hobby, not a recreation, not a means to get laid. I treat it as a business, and that is one reason I have been so successful over the years while many have come and gone.



10. Why did you trade off a sports car that was a stick shift?

It was a lotus, I got a Ferrari. No brainer. The lotus was very snug inside, and tough as hell to drive. Very low to the ground, and a tight stick, and tricky clutch. I never did like driving. The Ferrari is a joy to drive. Paddle shifters, roomy inside, and not too low to the ground where you have to worry driving around. Plus, it is a Ferrari and makes my penis look bigger.

But, I love modest, my Ferrari is a lease.

There is Nothing wrong with leasing a car , in fact it is a smart thing to do

[BradShaw]

23. What's the big deal about fishing?

I needed a hobby, so fishing was a good fit. I am not die hard, I can only fish a few hours at a time. My ADD kicks in, and I need a break. But overall it is great relaxation. And the rush when you catch the big one, is great.


24. What are you favorite things to do on vacation, at conventions?

My ideal vacation is to go to a high end resort and do nothing. Lay by the pool, read a book, get a blowjob, sip pina coladas, go to the spa.

I do not view conventions as entertainment. I go there to do business. Most of my friends in the biz are either retired, or too rich to care to go to shows anymore. In the old days, converntions were a good time.

If I want to entertain myself, I can think of many other things I would rather do than see 100's of webmasters. Of which 90% should be at home working, not at shows.

One of the aspects I do enjoy about shows is seeing the haters. I always try to go out of my way to let them know I am around. If not, they whine on the boards I am in hiding. I also enjoy buying someone a bottle of Cristal, to close up a big $ deal.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

19. What's your take on drugs and booze at industry events? Do you use
either - discuss

I could care a less if people do drugs, just do them behind closed doors. But, it is sad to see what drugs have done to some people in this biz. I have seen some very smart successful people turned into shells of their former selves.

Taking pictures of your drug use, or bragging about it on a message board is STUPID.

For the record, I have never done any drugs, not even pot.



I have pulled many pranks. A recent one sticks out in my mind. Meat from Netpond has a hard on for me, always has for some reason. Jealous hater. I see him in Vegas this Jan. I already knew that JBM won the XBiz award for chat board of the year by then. So I tell him, I heard that Netpond won the award, congrats. And asked him if he is going to be there to accept. He about shit his pants and started telling everyone standing around him. He bought it.

So when I won the award, I hear some guy yelling out "wanker" with an accent, sounded like Meat.

Owned.

[Doctor Dre]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

20. What's the meanest prank you've ever played on anyone in this biz?

I have pulled many pranks. A recent one sticks out in my mind. Meat from Netpond has a hard on for me, always has for some reason. Jealous hater. I see him in Vegas this Jan. I already knew that JBM won the XBiz award for chat board of the year by then. So I tell him, I heard that Netpond won the award, congrats. And asked him if he is going to be there to accept. He about shit his pants and started telling everyone standing around him. He bought it.

So when I won the award, I hear some guy yelling out "wanker" with an accent, sounded like Meat.

Owned.

[Sheri Santiago]

I have a question, why'd you leave AZ and the pimp house?

[Rinaldo]

DO you have any children?

Want to adopt one ?

[BradShaw]

25. What's the deal with you and lightspeed?


I had the pleasure, or should I say displeasure of sitting next to Steve on a flght from PHX to Miami several years ago. I had many preconceived notions about him, and it turned out, they were all correct. I had heard crazy stories about him and drugs, women, etc etc at shows.


He told me why he got in the biz, and his biz philosophies, he would not shut up. He then went on to tell me that I do not know how to manage my sales staff, that I do not let them have fun, blah blah blah.

From that point on, I put him on my idiot list. I threw a few jabs at him on the boards, and he ran off like a little sissy girl to our mutual friends begging them to ask me to stop picking on him. From that point on, it was open season.

Lightspeed has done well, the concept and the sites are very good. But, Steve is an idiot businessman. For instance, he overpays his girls to the point it is an industry joke. But I guess he pays extra so he can bang em.

I can only imagine how many millions he has blown, and left on the table. Or snorted up his nose...

Bottom line is that he put himself up on a pedestal, and I am just a reality check for him. One day, he will thank me.

[RP Fade]

Good stuff

[BradShaw]

Originally Posted by Sheri Santiago

I have a question, why'd you leave AZ and the pimp house?

I moved out to AZ to see how I liked it. After being there for a Summer, I decided I did not like it. I also could not stand working from home. It was hard to run my business being in AZ, with an office in Dallas.

Sure I had a pimp house, but it was 10,000+ SF of headaches.

[Juicy D. Links]

Nice interviewwwwwwwwwwww

[BradShaw]

26. Why are you so sucessful in the gay market niche in particular?

I always viewed this as a business, so doing gay porn never bothered me. We got in it early and targeted the market correctly. We were not straight guys trying to do gay porn, we had a gay guy on staff.

Cruisepatrol.com is one the best known gay sites out there.

[Fletch XXX]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

26. Why are you so sucessful in the gay market niche in particular?

I always viewed this as a business, so doing gay porn never bothered me. We got in it early and targeted the market correctly. We were not straight guys trying to do gay porn, we had a gay guy on staff.

Cruisepatrol.com is one the best known gay sites out there.

cruise patrol kicks ass

http://www.fletchxxx.com/banners/cruisepatrol/

[BradShaw]

27. Where did you goto college? Discuss

I attended the University of Oklahoma. Originally, I wanted to be a sports journalist. But I could not pass the spelling/grammar test to enter the school of journalism. So I went pre law/poly sci.

I ended up leaving school about 20 hours short of my degree to pursue this. I would say, I made the right choice.

16+ hour days, for a few years. Long periods of time without even leaving the house, paid off.


28. Have you ever had sex with a hooker?

Who hasn't?

[BradShaw]

Originally Posted by pornRefinery

How long did it take you to develop Executive Stats, from start to finish?

It took us 2 years. We were going to launch it Jan 2004 in Vegas. But I was not pleased with the finished product. We basically scrapped it, and hired a new team of programmers.

The demand for ES has been unreal. We are still trying to play catch up from deals we made in Vegas. I am hiring more programmers to keep up with the demand.

[BradShaw]

29. How many houses do you own? What other property do you own? What
major rich boy toys do you own?

I own 2 houses, as well as our office building.

As far as toys, I have 2 jetskis, bass boat, ski boat, my leased Ferrari, 1960 Vette, and my 2 dogs.

The days of blowing $ are about done. I plan on building a marc de like garage, and buying classic cars. I can enjoy them, and not feel like I am blowing $.

[BradShaw]

Sleazy, good ?'s. I am open to other serious ?'s for the rest of the day.

[ShaneRyale]

What part of the industry do you feel is oversaturated now, and what do you think is the best revenue producing stream in the industry right now.

[BradShaw]

Originally Posted by ShaneRyale

What part of the industry do you feel is oversaturated now, and what do you think is the best revenue producing stream in the industry right now.

I think VOD is overhyped.

There is no magic revenue producing stream. Times are tough. My suggestion is to put many eggs in many basket. Do not get caught with all your eggs in one basket.

[J$tyle$]

Your thoughts on the following people from days gone by:

Seth Warshavsky
Andy Edmonds
Serge
Webfather
Mike AI
JoeE
RB

Stories? Opinions?

[Rui]

- Where did you got the funding to start your online ventures?

- While you dislike Steve's atitude's and lifestyle don't you think you should put your differences aside?

- Don't you think what you did to him in Vegas was a bit lame (no ofense)?

[BradShaw]

Seth Warshavsky, did not know him.

Andy Edmonds, did not know him. Did not care to know him.

Serge had a brief run, made millions, and should have retired. But he is like FM, had to come back for more punishment. Overall though, he did well for himself. Outside of the boards, I get along fine with him.

Webfather- Say what you want about him, and I have said plenty. But you can not question his business. I miss the airbrush shirts.

Mike AI- I love Mike. We have had our ups and downs. Mardi Gras 2001 I think it was, with the balcony was a blast.....

JoeE- I miss JoeE. Best story of JoeE was when I was in NO for a show at the casino. I see JoeE crying, walk over and ask him whats up. He has about $500k in winnings in his hands, and he is crying about his gf. I gave him a hug, we bonded. Shame what went down with him and CEN, but JoeE also made some poor decisions along the way.

RB- I never really got to know RB on much of a personal level. We did a ton of biz, and I was there to help bail them out on the FTC stuff. Hopefully one day, if I am ever in trouble he will return the favor;-)

[BradShaw]

Originally Posted by Rui

- Where did you got the funding to start your online ventures?

- While you dislike Steve's atitude's and lifestyle don't you think you should put your differences aside?

- Don't you think what you did to him in Vegas was a bit lame (no ofense)?

Where did you got the funding to start your online ventures?

In 1997, I had no funding. I started with less than $1500 in the bank. It cost nothing to steal some pics and throw up a site.

While you dislike Steve's atitude's and lifestyle don't you think you should put your differences aside?

No, I need a whipping boy.

Don't you think what you did to him in Vegas was a bit lame (no ofense)?[/

No. He ran his mouth how I always avoid him at shows. So I made it a point not to avoid him. I had no idea there was a camera rolling, swear on my dogs life.

[Rorschach]

What do you think are the major problems/ challenges facing the industry over the next 6-12-24 months? What are you doing to deal with them?

[BradShaw]

Originally Posted by Rorschach

What do you think are the major problems/ challenges facing the industry over the next 6-12-24 months? What are you doing to deal with them?

If I was an employee, I would be concerned with outsourcing. Everyone is moving staff overseas with smaller and smaller profit margins.

Visa/MC are always my #1 concern. As well as the lack of more than 2 viable 3rd party processors.

[SteveLightspeed]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

25. What's the deal with you and lightspeed?


I had the pleasure, or should I say displeasure of sitting next to Steve on a flght from PHX to Miami several years ago. I had many preconceived notions about him, and it turned out, they were all correct. I had heard crazy stories about him and drugs, women, etc etc at shows.

He told me why he got in the biz, and his biz philosophies, he would not shut up. He then went on to tell me that I do not know how to manage my sales staff, that I do not let them have fun, blah blah blah.

So much for being friendly and making small talk with the EGOTARD that is BRAD SHAW. A close friend told me on that plane when I realized who you were that you were not to be trusted, so I spent those hours filling you with complete bullshit and laughing at your expense. OWNED

Originally Posted by BradShaw

From that point on, I put him on my idiot list. I threw a few jabs at him on the boards, and he ran off like a little sissy girl to our mutual friends begging them to ask me to stop picking on him. From that point on, it was open season..

You have no friends, you've burned those bridges now too it seems.

Originally Posted by BradShaw

Lightspeed has done well, the concept and the sites are very good. But, Steve is an idiot businessman.

Funny, for an "idiot businessman" I seem to be RUNNING CIRCLES AROUND YOU. What does that say about your biz skills? No one good to copy lately? Oh yeah, you want solo sites now. Wonder where you got that idea?

Originally Posted by BradShaw

For instance, he overpays his girls to the point it is an industry joke. But I guess he pays extra so he can bang em.

I pay my girls a lot because they are my bread and butter. I've never fucked even one of my models. I'm saving myself for your sales girls.

Originally Posted by BradShaw

I can only imagine how many millions he has blown, and left on the table.

So much for "worrying about your own business" Guess you haven't really learned anything after all?

Originally Posted by BradShaw

Or snorted up his nose...

Ancient news, been completely clean for a long long time.

Originally Posted by BradShaw

Bottom line is that he put himself up on a pedestal, and I am just a reality check for him. One day, he will thank me.

Or NOT. Go fuck yourself Brad. Good luck trying to make solo girl sites when you realize that none of the TGP guys any traffic will support you. Ask MikeAI, solo sites need to be GOOD, not like your crap sites at all. Now go stalk someone else for a while, you are really creeping me out!

Steve Lightspeed

[woj]

100 interviews.......

[Fletch XXX]

Originally Posted by Lightspeed

been completely clean for a long long time.

i'll drink to that

Ch33rs Lightspeed!

[BradShaw]

You were far from clean when we talked long ago. If you are clean now, good for you. Drugs are bad.