COTR's Alicia Sinclair Rosen to Talk LGBTQ Advertising at SXSW

COTR's Alicia Sinclair Rosen to Talk LGBTQ Advertising at SXSW

LOS ANGELES — COTR founder and CEO Alicia Sinclair Rosen will be among the panelists of the "LGBTQIA+ Sex Education for Brands" discussion at South by Southwest (SXSW) next month.

The discussion will explore "the lack of authentic LGBTQIA+ sex in advertising," noted a rep. "While cishet sex is frequently used in marketing, LGBTQIA+ representation is often limited to Pride season."

Panelists will focus on "strategy and inclusive representation and serve as a call to brands that rely on sex to sell their products to get informed by the community reinventing sex for the world."

For decades, a festival rep noted, cishet sex has been used to sell everything from condoms to hamburgers, while in June, a rainbow is merely added to "everything from search engines to mouthwash."

“Ultimately, you believe in innovation, culture and progress, or you don’t,” they said. “So, unless your brand becomes celibate, reconsider how you respectfully experiment as a marketer. Culture started this. Brands followed suit. Sex sold. Now we discuss what’s next.”

Rosen noted the COTR family of brands embody her personal values and philosophies "in their own unique ways, making sex more fun, more enjoyable and more adventurous for all who seek it."

“With such a broad spectrum of sexual identities and preferences, equal representation for the LGBTQIA+ community is still lacking as cishet norms and values continue to prevail in advertising,” Rosen said. “I hope that having this important conversation on such a prominent stage as SXSW’s will lead to greater awareness of the need for consumers to see themselves in the marketing from the brands they support.”

The in-person discussion is set for Wednesday, March 16; click here for additional details.

Rosen recently spoke exclusively to XBIZ Premiere about her two-decade mission to upgrade sex toys; click here for that story.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

'Groove Thing' Sets Kickstarter Funding Record for Insertable Pleasure Product

Groove Thing, an insertable pleasure product that plays audio, has set a funding record on Kickstarter.

Nalpac/Entrenue, Ohdoki Sign Distro Deal for 'The Handy'

Nalpac/Entrenue has inked an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with Ohdoki Products for The Handy.

Onahole Debuts New 'Miss Boss Cup' Stroker

Pleasure brand Onahole has introduced its new Miss Boss Cup stroker.

ProDx Health Introduces 'Trust 1' HPV Test

ProDx Health has introduced its new Trust 1 Home Collection Kit for HPV testing.

Eye of Love Debuts 'Pheromone Roll-On Duo' From Bloom Line

Eye of Love has introduced the Pheromone Roll-On Duo fragrance set from its Bloom collection.

Full Circle Releases 'Grinders' Collection

Pleasure brand Full Circle has debuted its new Grinders collection of discreet vibrators.

Doc Johnson, Polynesian Pleasures Ink Distro Deal

Pleasure brand Polynesian Pleasures has signed a deal with Doc Johnson for global distribution.

Sydney Screams, Creature Feature Toys & Tailends Studios Launch Limited Partnership

Sydney Screams, Creature Feature Toys, and Tailends Studios have launched a one-month campaign to produce customizable dildos, with some proceeds benefiting SWAID Collective.

Sexpo Australia Founder Launches SexEx

Sexpo Australia founder David Ross has launched his new adult lifestyle expo, SexEx.

Orion Unveils New Styles From 'Svenjoyment Bondage' Line

Orion Wholesale has released two new styles from its Svenjoyment Bondage line.

Show More