We-Vibe’s 15 years of pleasure is just the beginning for leading couples toy
The most tech-forward of the Lovehoney Group brands continues to enlighten orgasms for couples everywhere, as the original “c-shape” design has advanced once again.
(Note: This story appears in the April 2023 issue of SE Magazine)
F
ifteen years ago, a Canadian couple wanting mutual orgasms went to work designing a toy which could be worn hands-free, for greater intimacy, to stimulate both partners during sex.
The Ottawa-based couple recognized the market had plenty of toys in less thoughtful supply, made of low-quality materials and packaged unappealingly, according to Stephanie Keating, Sales and Marketing Director, Americas.
“We-Vibe’s founders changed the game by creating the first c-shape vibrator made of medical grade, body-safe materials,” says Keating.
And they changed how the sex toy industry was perceived and marketed: their couples’ vibrators, which were packaged in sleek and discreet product boxes, were often compared to Apple for their stylish and user-friendly modernity.
Into the arms of Lovehoney Group
In We-Vibe’s 15-year journey, the brand has been acquired once, been a part of two mergers and is now headquartered out of Berlin as part of the Lovehoney Group. Once a product imagined in a small-town basement laboratory, We-Vibe has become a global phenomenon, available in over 50 countries and thousands of stores worldwide.
“I’ve had the pleasure of guiding the We-Vibe brand and leading the marketing in North America for 11 years and have first-hand experience with its growth,” comments Keating. “Seeing both the technology and the products evolve and become more and more innovative has been an exciting journey!”
We-Vibe is the most tech-forward of all the Lovehoney Group brands, according to Keating, with constant product innovation and accessibility via the app, launched in 2014, which allows consumers to operate their toys from anywhere in the world.
“Today, the We-Vibe app is packed with even more ways to play with your toys including Beat Mode, Ambient Mode, Partner Control, Multi-Vibe Mode, and Feedback Functions to name a few,” she says. “We-Vibe produces premium products and innovation, at varying price points, allowing people of all kinds to experience the safe, feature-rich products the brand has always been known for.”
Besides the advances they’ve contributed technologically, what sets the brand apart in the industry, according to Keating, are the relationships the B2B sales team has cultivated.
“They work tirelessly to support our partners in any way possible and that is reflected in the ways that our partners support We-Vibe,” says Keating.
Since the merger with Lovehoney Group, the B2B brand portfolio has expanded to include Happy Rabbit and Fifty Shades of Grey with Womanizer, We-Vibe, pjur, ROMP and Arcwave. Having a variety of products that offer endless experiences and sensations has given We-Vibe the opportunities to create brand-collaborative special edition sets for consumers. This month, they share that they’re launching the Fifty Shades of Grey Come To Bed Couples Kit, which features a We-Vibe Tango X in black with a butt plug and blindfold.
Words from the industry
“We-Vibe contributes to the industry by consistently innovating the world of pleasure products,” comments Ashley Manta, Sex Educator and Coach, on the brand’s evolution. “From a bluetooth-enabled app that can be controlled from
around the world, to creating a range of shapes, erogenous zone targets and deep rumbly vibration patterns and styles, We-Vibe pushes the industry forward with its revolutionary designs, and I can’t wait to see what the next 15 years (and beyond) will bring!”
“In all my 50 plus years in retail business, 30 of them being with Lover’s Lane, I have never experienced a brand such as We-Vibe that has sustained such a strong long-term consumer demand for what I consider primarily a single product company,” says Michael D. Allond, Vice President and General Manager of Lover’s Lane & Co/Lane Distributing Inc.
“We-Vibe products are very accessible to a broad variety of customers who want quality and consistent items with just the right function,” says Debra Peterson, Director of Procurement & Marketing of Fairvilla Stores.
“Great options as people explore their sexuality!” Peterson continues. “People are drawn to the packaging and product designs, and they are easily carried in stores with both general retail and adult licensing. That is a very important attribute to our company as I’m sure it is to other companies as well. We-Vibe’s commitment to resources, from in-person training and on-demand item videos, to product images and custom POS materials, has been fantastic. We wouldn’t be nearly as successful at selling or promoting the products if we didn’t have these assets and if they weren’t so effective at promoting their brand nationally.”
Advancement of the c-shape
The original c-shape design that put We-Vibe on the worldwide market continues to develop based on its thorough user experience research and customer feedback, to offer products that truly enhance people’s pleasure. The advancement of the c-shape is in support of We-Vibe’s statement that the key elements of success are the brand’s level of quality, messaging, tone and the outstanding warranty and reliability.
“We-Vibe created the c-shape category in adult, but it also has been a pioneer in other categories including rabbits with Nova, the rabbit without ears, and bullets with the powerful and rumbly Touch and Tango,” shares Keating, noting that We-Vibe is currently revamping the c-shape portfolio with a new model coming out in 2023. “We-Vibe continues to evolve and focus on pleasure for all people, regardless of what type of relationship they are in or the type of play they are looking to explore.
“Without giving away too much, I can say that the new c-shape device being released later this year has performed better in user testing than ANY other c-shape product in the We-Vibe assortment,” Keating adds. “Most recently, we launched the second generation of Sync, which is really the ‘tried and true’ device from the c-shape collection. Sync 2nd Gen is feature-rich, adjustable, app-enabled, and comes with a remote. Additionally, this spring, We-Vibe is launching Sync Lite, an entry-level, wearable c-shape that’s simple to use at an accessible price point. Stay tuned for more from We-Vibe this year.”
Enhancing popular designs
Something else to anticipate from We-Vibe is the Forever Favorites set, which offers two of the most popular We-Vibe products as an affordable set.
“Touch X and Tango X really have a cult following, and typically, people are divided on which product they prefer,” Keating explains. “Rather than forcing people to choose if they are Team Tango X or Team Touch X, the new Forever Favorites set offers a value price to own both, and users can vote for their favorite in real time. Last year, to celebrate Masturbation May, we ran a retailer contest that encouraged participants to create an in-store display to showcase their preference for Touch X or Tango X (or both!). We had such a great response in 2022 to the Touch X, Tango X store display contest that this special edition seemed like the perfect follow-up.”
According to Keating, We-Vibe’s core focus is connecting people, and it’s with this in mind that all developments stem from. An emphasis on brand values will always keep We-Vibe boutique-feeling; that being said, We-Vibe wants to be as inclusive as possible, and the brand commits to reaching its expanding market.
“It’s important to remember that pleasure is universal and that all people can experience it regardless of gender, relationship status or sexual preferences,” says Keating. “It’s why we focus on educating our partners about how our products can be used in real life, whether it be solo or with a partner, and work hard to keep diversity in our language and brand imagery.”
Many of We-Vibe’s products cater to all types of couples. Most recently, they launched the Tease Us Collection, which offers toy options for two penis owners, two vulva owners or a hetero couple.
In February 2023, We-Vibe conducted a global survey of non-hetero testers to observe how the products improved their sex lives. Among US respondents, these astounding numbers were discovered: 82% strongly agreed that they had better orgasms while masturbating, and 73% strongly agreed that they had better orgasms during sex with a partner when using We-Vibe.
Well-informed joy
Lovehoney Group proudly markets itself as the sexual happiness company. Its aim is to aide people in healthy and fun sex lives, especially as an educational avenue in sexual wellness.
Lovehoney Group offers free education to its B2B partners through its video platform WOW Tech Academy, which shares the advice of sex educators with informed insights into product usages. Sales staff can utilize the pleasure knowledge by making it available to consumers. The We-Vibe app also offers inspirational content for consumers of all kinds. In addition, customers can go to pleasure-finder.com to seek out the best product based on their desired experience.
For more information, visit Lovehoneygroup.com and/or Pleasure-finder.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.