AVN Accepts BMS Factory’s Withdrawal From ‘O’ Awards

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—AVN Media Network has regretfully accepted the request of BMS Factory to withdraw its nomination from the upcoming “O” Awards. The company's PowerBullet Breeze Flow was recognized in the Outstanding Power Product category. In an email to AVN, BMS officials wrote the following: “Award shows are designed to put the best of the best up against each other to decide a winner. BMS Factory feels that unfortunately at this year’s ‘O’ Awards, certain products from deserving companies were not nominated and did not appear to be fairly represented in their respectful categories due to industry conflicts. “BMS Factory has decided to join the cause that all award shows should be conducted fairly, and has therefore concluded that it will only involve itself in award shows that are fair to all companies and participants that wish to be included.” Sherri L. Shaulis, senior editor of pleasure products for AVN, issued the following statement: “To say I am surprised that one company would decline their nomination because another company did not get nominated is an understatement. While I believe I know the ‘industry conflicts’ BMS refers to in their release, it’s simply a matter of some companies not getting the votes from reviewers and voters. “Each year, we gather pre-nominations from manufacturers, retailers, distributors and fans of products, companies and more. From there, we have a panel of reviewers and industry professionals who cast their votes for all of the pre-nominees. Every year I am surprised when companies I think deserve a nomination—and I would bet are a shoo-in for their category—don’t make the final cut. But since we do work very hard to make our ‘O’ Awards fair and impartial, and not just a trinket that can be bought, it saddens me to hear BMS Factory feels this way. Per their request, however, we have regretfully agreed to pull their nomination.”