YNOT – Chatsworth, Calif.-based AVN Media Network has acquired GoFuckYourself.com, an online adult industry forum the company called “notoriously popular” but which many industry insiders consider simply notorious. More commonly known as GFY, the forum is justifiably famous for an insane traffic volume and equally as justifiably infamous for trolls and flame wars.
AVN management said the company has no plans to alter the basic functionality or character of GFY, which AVN acquired from Playboy Enterprises Inc. division ICS Entertainment Inc., along with adult webmaster event Webmaster Access and digital social network Adult Who’s Who.
Theo Sapoutzis, chairman of AVN’s board of directors, said the acquisition of the controversial forum by the adult industry’s oldest media company represents one part of a broader strategy for growth and expansion the company expects to reveal over the coming months.
“We are very pleased to welcome the GFY community to the AVN family,” Sapoutzis said. “This deal comes on the heels of our acquisition of Webmaster Access and Adult Whos Who, and is part of a larger online [business-to-business] strategy that AVN is already putting into place. In the coming weeks and months, AVN will be announcing more acquisitions and partnerships that we believe will be received very positively by the adult online community, and we look forward to reaffirming AVN’s role as a business innovator and free speech leader for the adult entertainment industry.”
Eric Matis will continue in the role of the forum’s “Head Zookeeper,” a position he has held since he joined ICS in 2001. Prior to joining AVN as part of the acquisition, Matis served in the larger role of vice president of affiliate programs and industry relations for ICS.
“The acquisition of GFY by AVN presents an opportunity that I am very excited about,” Matis told AVN.com. “GFY over the years has become my baby, and I am very excited that AVN is embracing many new ideas that I think can take GFY to the next level.”
Financial details about the acquisition were not released.
