ANME Closes July 3-Day Run

BURBANK, Calif.—The summer installment of the ANME Show has concluded its three-day run, with manufacturers showcasing new products, packaging and even technology. Pipedream Products announced several new products line, including an expansion of the Neon line. “The classic products in this line feature the colors that are trending big in mainstream right now, and are at an affordable price point,” explained Kevin Johnson, public relations manager for Pipedream. The company has also expanded its penis pump, Wanachi wand and sex swing offerings, as well as its Fetish Fantasy lingerie line. Not only are there new costumes and lingerie for women, but there is an entire line of boxers and briefs for men now available. Johnson noted that like the female pieces, the men’s come in a variety of sizes, with the same design available in both regular and plus sizes. Pipedream also announced the release of its Virtual Plan-o-grammer, which is poised to change the way business is done, Johnson said. “Much like Pipedream invented the ‘one wall at a time’ concept that so many other companies are using now, we expect that the Virtual Plan-o-grammer will be something other companies eventually implement,” he said. The Virtual Plan-o-grammer is a program that allows retailers to enter the dimensions of their space, choose what products they want to feature and allow the program to design a display for them. Every section of the program has instructional videos to make it practically fool-proof, and everything is automated, making it easier for retailers to order and display Pipedream merchandise. When Lovehoney launched the Sqweel three years ago, it heralded a revolution in orgasms. Sqweel’s wheel of 10 tongues made it a smash hit with women who love oral sex. Now, Lovehoney is offering Sqweel 2, an update of the original design. Richard Longhurst of Lovehoney pointed out some of the improvements on this year's model: For one, the casing is sturdier and easier to grip, and the removable top that covers the silicone tongues when they’re not in use is readily secured. It’s also simpler to take the toy apart for thorough cleaning. Inside, the motor has been given a boost to add power to the three speeds. In addition, the wheel now spins in reverse and even has a mode where it alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. Lovehoney also devoted plenty of shelf space to other brisk sellers: the Happy Rabbit vibrator, the Tracey Cox collection, Shag Factory and Death by Orgasm. Sliquid shared exhibit space with Lovehoney, and Dean Elliott (a principal in both companies) was there to talk about body-friendly lubricants, including the Ride Dude Lube line, which he noted is designed to work effective for men but also be safe for a woman’s body. Other products designed to delight the body were on display at the Kama Sutra booth. Three items have been reinvented and improved. Kama Sutra's massage candle is still available in the same four scents (Deep Ocean, Mediterranean Almond, Island Passion and Tropical Plumeria), but its metal container has been reshaped to include a pour spout that makes it dramatically easier to use the product. Kama Sutra's intensifying gel is also easier to apply now. The product, renamed Intensify Plus, still comes in cooling and warming formulas—but what's different is the delivery system: a slender bottle with a pump dispenser that makes it easier to squeeze out just the small amount of gel needed to get the job done. The quirkily named EroStiK lip plumper has been renamed Lip Fetish, and it now comes in three tints. Now the product serves as an attractive lip gloss while also creating a stimulating sensation on the lips. Raspberry and strawberry flavors generate a warming sensation, while the mint flavor cools the lips. Andy Green of Xgen Products introduced buyers to various items. The Shoe Chair, a full-size seat shaped like a stiletto-heeled pump, is available in four styles (red, purple, zebra and leopard); it would be an attention-getter at any lingerie shop and is actually quite comfortable to sit in. Also new from Xgen are the rechargeable Body Wands, offered in purple or black. Even newer was a crystal-encrusted version of the Body Wand that will be available for the holidays. And finally, Xgen has added two attachments for the Body Wands: one to convert it to a rabbit-style vibe, the other to stimulate the G-spot. Adventure Industries’ Adam Hasner was on the scene, showcasing the company’s Kratom shots and Kratomite cigarettes. Hasner also talked about Adventure Industries’ Whip Smart Door Sex Swing, which is being upgraded and repackaged for release in the near future. The Screaming O unveiled several new goodies at the ANME show, making additions to its three main lines: Screaming O, Rock On and the Studio Collection. In keeping with the Studio Collection’s makeup-bag theme, the company added more “chic and discreet” toys. The Mascara Vibe, a standout in the first wave of the collection, has been beefed up to be both sturdier and more powerful. And two other items are completely new. A tube of lip balm hides a bullet vibe with three revved-up vibration speeds, and an innocuous-looking pen is filled with a toy cleaner. Anticipating that consumers will want to collect all of the items to fill out their “cosmetic kit,” the company has created a retail package grouping all the toys together in one tempting package that will retail in the vicinity of $129 and $159. The Screaming O line has not been left out in the cold. A new group of slatwall holders break the toys into categories to help shoppers find what they’re looking for: disposables, reusables, vibrators, cock rings. And speaking of vibes, an assortment of bullet vibrators in rich colors offers three speeds and a discreet remote control that can be worn on the finger. The Screaming O’s Justin Long said the vibes could be marketed with panties, making it all the easier to take the bullet out for a night on the town. Jopen, a luxury brand company, knew that the success of their Vanity pieces and Intensity vibe for women meant they needed to offer items for the men too, therefore the Ego line from Jopen was launched during ANME. The Ego line launched with four products: three rings and a massager. Like the Vanity pieces, the Ego products are crafted from premium silicone, but come in a vibrant blue color. “The pieces all feature the same Power Bullet technology that are in the Vanity pieces,” said Desiree Duffie, public relations manager for CalExotics. The technology is also available in three new additions to the Vanity line. The three rabbit-style pieces are all slightly smaller than existing Vanity products, Duffie noted, and all have a rotating shaft while the tickler portions are slightly different on each one. CalExotics also launched the new Posh and Body & Soul lines: Posh features classic toys in bright fashionable colors, while Body & Soul offers up items that have a metallic satin finish. Earthly Body also released new scents and gift bags for the upcoming holiday season. The gift bags feature a full-size massage candle and a full-size skin butter, each created with hemp. The new candle scents are Candy Cane Lane, Snowed In and Hot Apple Cider. Officially making its debut at the ANME show was the line of Wicked Sensuals. Carrie Smith, the chemist who created the 15 new products, noted that every product is completely vegan, cruelty-free and certified by PETA. The line includes the Aqua lubricants, which are water-based and paraben-free; the Ultra silicone lubricants, which are formulated with the highest-quality silicone available in the personal care market; Cleene Antibacterial Toy Wash, which has no alcohol; and Crème Mastubration Cream for Men, a cream thick and luxurious enough that it can even be used as a hand cream. PicoBong and LELO both launched new products and display materials for retailers during ANME. PicoBong has new accessories and cosmetics, including single-use massage candles in three scents: Livin’ La Vida Coco, Choc Your Socks Off and Don’t Worry Be Apple. The new accessories come in blue, pink and black and feature handcuffs, blindfolds, choker collars, feather ticklers and floggers. “Since the PicoBong line appeals to a younger, hip crowd, the display materials feature surfboards and the packaging for the accessories is inflatable rafts,” explained Candice Graves of LELO and PicoBong. As for LELO, the company released new Smart Wands, available in medium and large sizes. The Smart Wands use SenseTouch technology, meaning as more pressure is applied, the vibration intensity increases; when pressure is removed, the vibration decreases to save the charge. LELO also launched the second generation of SenseMotion products: the Elise 2, Ina 2, Tiani 2 and Oden 2. The pleasure products are now 120 percent more powerful and feature upgraded charger ports so that they are submersible. Nasstoys released several new products that are remote control-operated. “The new Power Ring controller increases intimacy between partners by freeing up their hands for increased interaction,” Nasstoys Sales and Marketing Director Kathryn Hartman said. “These versatile toys also can be used to tease a lover from afar—the opportunities are endless.” In addition to remote-controlled items and other new vibrators, Nasstoys also launched their new vibrating panties, which are made from 95 percent cotton and 5 percent Spandex, and house a powerful bullet in a pocket at the front of the panties. Rather than offer various sizes, the panties have side ties that can be secured at any length, making one size a perfect fit for all, explained Tony Sicilia, sales and marketing associate for Nasstoys. Topco Sales was also on hand, showcasing not only new products under their name, but also lines from the company’s new owners WSM Investment, including the Fun Zone, ultra Zone and Doki Doki lines of products. “From this point on, we will be carrying our line and their line, making the selection incredible,” said Erica Heathman, marketing communications manager for Topco Sales. Among the new products released under the Topco brand are the remaining six Penthouse Calendar Girl CyberSkin Stroker, featuring the July through December models from the Penthouse 2012 calendar: Zoe Britton, Dakoda Brookes, Lindsay Marie, Sophie Santini, Julia Crown and Ashlyn Rae. Other new strokers are from the Penthouse Video Vixen line featuring Kortney Kane and Ash Hollywood. Doc Johnson also released new products at the show, including the first pieces from its James Deen collection. The award-winning actor was on hand during the weekend to showcase the new items, which include a penis pump, cock rings and a replica of his cock. Also getting attention in the Doc Johnson booth was the WonderLand line of products. The five silicone pleasure products feature 10 functions activated through simple push-button controls and are waterproof. The WonderLand line features the White Wabbit, Mystical Mushroom, Pleasure Pillar, Heavenly Heart and Kinky Kat, each of which have their own defined shapes for unique stimulation options, aesthetically striking appearances, captivating storybook packaging, and comprehensive storytelling materials to support the line. Finally, Shunga showcases something that turns an ordinary bathtub into a wonderland of sorts. At the Shunga booth, the front table featured a bright display: three different colors of the brand-new Lovebath, which turns into a gelatin-like substance when it’s sprinkled into water. Body-safe, it creates an environment for sensual exploration in the bath. Once playtime is over, another packet of powder dissolves the gel, which then can be drained from the tub. Lovebath comes in three scents and colors: ocean (blue), dragonfruit (pink) and lotus blossom (purple). Pictured above, left to right: Richard Longhurst of Lovehoney with the Sqweel 2; Jopen's new Ego line for men; Justin Ross of The Screaming O with the company's new remote-controlled bullet vibe.