The President called it an economic stimulus plan, with each household receiving checks in the mail. And it has proved to be a stimulus for some – according to the Adult Internet Market Research Company (AIMRCo), the big beneficiary has been the online porn industry.
Kirk Mishkin, head research consultant for AIMRCo, said:
"Many of the sites we surveyed have reported 20-30 per cent growth in membership rates since mid-May when the checks were first sent out, and typically the summer is a slow period for this market."
Jillian Fox, a spokewoman for one of the sites that contributed to the survey, said:
"In a June 15, 2008 survey to our members, thirty two percent of respondents referenced the recent stimulus package as part of their decision to either become a new member, or renew an existing membership. Getting more people to buy porn was probably the last thing Bush had on his mind when he came up with his ‘stimulus package,’ but we’ll take it."