May 4, 2006 | The Biz

A new image for the industry

Image consultants are the type of people you might expect to find grooming celebrities or tending to politicians. Now, however, you'll find them courting the adult entertainment industry, too, in the form of Best Practices in Adult Video (BPAV), an organization that aims to protect the industry's reputation while improving its business practices.

Alec Helmy, the publisher of  the Xbiz group of  adult trade magazines and websites, announced the group's formation Monday, according to AVN Online.

“The principles of BPAV are topics that we regularly think about as members of the adult entertainment industry operating in an increasingly uncertain environment," Helmy said. "BPAV’s mission is simple: to encourage proactive responsibility and to spread a positive message.”

Also supporting BPAV is AVN Publications Inc. President Paul Fishbein, who said that the industry -- which is under constant scrutiny from the government and the media -- would benefit from an ethical framework of the type that BPAV hopes to establish.

"BPAV is a good thing that I hope will encourage people to ensure better conditions for performers and a safe work environment," Fishbein said. "Because many of the performers are young, the industry needs to set an example and send the message that working in the adult business can be a positive experience.”

BPAV hopes to establish many industry standards, beginning with the Disclosure of Acts stipulation, which asks producers to tell models before shooting the types of acts they will be asked to perform. Other goals include ensuring the physical protection of performers, promoting greater STD awareness and protection among performers, and requiring producers to be more vigilant regarding performers' ages.

BPAV also provides a voluntary seal for members of the adult industry who wish to support its principles. It can be downloaded online and placed on Web sites, box covers, print materials and in videos' disclaimer segments.

With today's porn-hostile political landscape, one has to wonder: why didn't somebody think of this sooner?!

• New organization aims to protect adult industry’s image [AVN Online]