The exclusive deal marks the first time Smash Pictures releases are available in the U.K.
Nice ‘n’ Naughty operates 11 retail stores across the U.K. and also serves as a licensed DVD distributor for a handful of U.S. studios and toy manufacturers.
“We consider the acquisition of six titles from Smash Pictures as a nice compliment to our gonzo catalog,” Naughty ‘n’ Nice Director of Sales Simon Prescott told XBIZ. “We picked up a handful of films initially to test the market and will consider purchasing more if they do well.”
According to Smash Pictures Vice President Stuart Wall, the deal was secured shortly after he met with Nice ‘n’ Naughty at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas.
“It was a pleasure meeting Simon, the director of sales for Nice ‘n’ Naughty,” Wall told XBIZ. “Since the U.K. was one region where we haven’t been placed yet, I was quite pleased that they chose our studio, since they represent very few U.S. studios. They approached us, saying they have the gonzo side of porn covered, yet our niche style of shooting made us stand out. Lately we’ve been focusing on more of the fetish appeal of porn; fans love to see a girl dressed up as a secretary or nanny as well as decking the girls out in sexy lingerie too.”
In England it is illegal to sell adult entertainment via the Internet or through mail order. Only licensed sex shops can sell hardcore films, which are classified as R18. Prescott said he must submit Smash Pictures’ master tapes to the British Board of Film Classification for approval before the DVDs can be sold in sex shops. He said the board is unlikely to make any cuts and that Nice ‘n’ Naughty also purchased the rights for softcore versions of four of Smash’s titles that can be sold in mainstream outlets.
Nice ‘n’ Naughty has won the Erotic Trade Only adult retailer award two years in a row at the Erotic Trade Show and is the only licensed adult bookstore to receive the Investors in People award issued by the U.K. government.