The prostitution industry has had a good couple of months. The pendulum of tabloid coverage swings ferociously from heroin-addled serial killer victims to posh, classy girls earning well off the rich. The industry walks a constant tightrope as it attempts to attract talent to its workforce, and income from its customer base. Of late, we're seeing a lot more of the Sophias and Fionas and fewer Joannes and Paulines who 'sadly grew apart from their families.'
Amongst all the super injunction bits and pieces, various news outlets have reported a short story about "Wayne Rooney vice girl Helen Wood." Helen, 24, appears to be super-injuncted and as a result has suggested she may head to the US, steer clear of UK libel laws, and get a book published. Helen, it is reported, was paid £195 for sex with someone.
I have never gone commercial, nor have any plans to do so. However, £195 feels an obtainable sum for a mainstream customer let alone someone rich and famous. For Helen the supplier, it seems the margins are starting to slim. After all, I recall Helen's ancestors - women like Heather Mills - who it was reported earned thousands a session, and comfortably six-figure annual salaries.
Clearly the business model is changing. Much like the video games industry or the mobile industry it seems simple. Cut the price at entry level (free phone, cheap console; in the case of prostitution just under £200 for the full English). Then once they're in, rake it in. In video games that's software; in mobiles, data. In Helen's case, £195 opens up a world of book deals, tip-off fees, PAs and then finally compensation from News International for having hacked her phone in the first place.
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