UPDATED: Manwin Makes Changes at Digital Playground

VAN NUYS, Calif.—Back in mid-January, when Manwin first announced that it had acquired Digital Playground, news releases noted the "founder and director Ali Joone, CEO, and President Samantha Lewis will continue to oversee Digital Playground." Observers in the industry were hoping that meant there would be few changes at the venerable adult entertainment studio. Changes, however, did come to the studio, beginning last week. And today AVN reported earlier that Samantha Lewis, one of the most prominent and highest-ranking female executives in the adult entertainment industry, was no longer the CEO of Digital Playground, an industry-leading company she helped found. This news report was based on multiple sources who confirmed that Lewis had apparently left last week. AVN was unable to immediately confirm the circumstances leading to Lewis’ departure. Kate Miller, Manwin’s director of communications and marketing, told AVN that “Manwin does not comment on the management of internal affairs.” Shortly after that earlier version of the story appeared, Lewis called with a clarification, emphasizing that in fact she was never a Manwin employee. "I sold the company to Manwin," Lewis said, adding that she unable to comment on the terms of the agreement, nor did she want to get into any agreements that she might have personally enterered into with Manwin. Lewis did offer this comment: "I am excited about this acquisition and will remain available to advise Manwin/DP on anything they need from the experience that I have after 18 years in the industry, and I will help advise them to make this sale a seamless transition." Whatever Lewis' role in Manwin/DP, it's clear that some significant players in the company are no longer there. Among those laid off last week were head of the Jewelbox Films imprint Kay Brandt and Farley Cahen, DP’s chief operating officer. Lewis’ two sisters, who both worked in DVD sales, also were let go by Manwin. A rumor that Manwin is looking to shed an unspecified number of exclusive contract stars has also been denied by Manwin. “In addition—and contrary to what is being reported—we do not have current plans to modify contractual relations with our exclusive talent, and are actually looking to extend our roster,” Miller said. “We believe our exclusive contract stars are some of the best in the world and look forward to working with them in the coming years.”