HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—XR Brands reinforces its long-standing commitment to education-driven sales and inclusive retail training with the promotion of Josh Ortiz, widely known throughout the industry as “The Dad Bod Dom,” to Director of Education & Outreach.
Ortiz joined XR Brands in 2018, quickly becoming “a cornerstone of the company’s grassroots education efforts. His approachable teaching style, deep product expertise and unwavering commitment to inclusivity have helped strengthen XR Brands’ relationships with brick-and-mortar retailers across the country,” an XR Brands representative said.
“Making inclusive and affirming sex education accessible has been my goal since day one,” said Ortiz. “I truly believe knowledge is power. Empowering our brick-and-mortar retail partners—the very heartbeat of our industry—with that knowledge allows them to grow alongside us. I can’t imagine a better place to continue that mission than with my XR family.”
In his new role, Ortiz will lead the development of a comprehensive retail education and certification program designed specifically for brick-and-mortar partners and their staff. The initiative will include structured certifications, in-person store visits, private trainings and public classes—bringing XR Brands’ education strategy directly to the sales floor.
Ortiz is a highly decorated industry educator, earning the 2025 AVN “O” Award for Outstanding Sexual Wellness Advocate, among other honors. His work has been “widely recognized for normalizing conversations around pleasure, championing inclusivity and dismantling shame through education,” the representative said.
“We’re bringing Screw Taboo back in a BIG way,” Ortiz added. “This retail training program is being built with our brick-and-mortar partners front and center. We’ll be awarding store level and individual staff certifications—and when possible, I’ll be delivering them in person. From urethral sounding to consent in kink and everything in between, we’re empowering retail staff with knowledge while celebrating them for the vital role they play. We’re screwing taboo—together.”
Rebecca Weinberg, president of XR Brands, shared her enthusiasm for the promotion, saying, “I couldn’t be prouder of the work Josh has done over the past seven years. He has elevated XR’s education and brand presence to an entirely new level—driving curiosity, excitement and genuine connection with retailers nationwide. Josh is deeply respected throughout the industry and an invaluable part of our team.”
Rob Phaneuf, director of sales and marketing, added, “Josh has a rare ability to connect with people in a way that feels genuine, welcoming and empowering. I admired his work long before joining XR, and watching him shape the future of our reseller education strategy is incredibly exciting. Education and outreach are core pillars of our growth, and Josh is the ideal leader to champion that mission.”
Retailers interested in scheduling an in-store visit, training or event with Ortiz may contact him directly at [email protected].
