Phone Sex Pioneer Nick Loader Dies After Extended Cancer Fight

LOS ANGELES—Nick Loader, an early pioneer in mobile billing and its applications for monetizing phone sex, passed away in April 2024, AVN has learned. According to Loader's family, he was laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif., on May 10. He succumbed to cancer, notes a brief obituary published by the funeral home. "Nick has faced a relentless battle with cancer, a struggle that has persisted over time," the obituary reads. "Sadly, this time around, the verdict was terminal. In the face of such daunting news, he simply remarked, 'A man that fears death is a man that hasn't lived.'" Loader is referred to by his colleagues as a "telemedia pioneer." He was the founder of Lo/Ad Communications and introduced the concept of "pay-per-call" to the United States market. Pay-per-call technology is at the heart of the infrastructure of the highly profitable, high-converting phone sex and SMS/MMS sexting spaces. Companies like SextPanther use this tech. Born in England in 1957, he immigrated to the United States and reached the pinnacle of his profession here. He also founded U.S. Cellnet in 2004, which was one of the earliest firms in the market to implement mobile billing as an alternative payment option for users to pay for products and services on their mobile phone bills.  "From humble beginnings, he forged his path, becoming a self-made millionaire by 28, an intrepid entrepreneur," the obituary adds. "His journey took him far and wide, allowing him to soak in experiences that many only dare to dream." AVN has previously written about Loader and the rise of SMS texting as a viable means to generate revenue for adult industry businesses. Loader explained to AVN in 2004, "The real genius of SMS is the billing mechanism." The story added that he made his fortune during the "early days of audiotext" and that he saw "explosive growth ahead for SMS." SexyJobs CEO Marcel Robins, who has previously worked with Loader, told AVN of the tech visionary, "Nick was a true pioneer. ... He was one of a kind!" Robins, who was in attendance at Loader's funeral, called the service "amazing" and noted that Loader was buried with full military honors due to his Army service.