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

Honey Play Box Signs Distro Deal With ECN

Honey Play Box has inked a deal with East Coast News (ECN) for U.S. distribution.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

IronTech Debuts Cliff Jensen Replica Sex Doll

IronTech has introduced its new Cliff Jensen replica sex doll.

Blake Lovely Fronts 'Transsexual Hitchhikers 4' From GenderX

Blake Lovely stars with Michael DelRay in the fourth volume of GenderX Films' "Transsexual Hitchhikers," directed by Jim Powers.

Eye of Love Introduces 'Classic Collection' Display Planogram

Eye of Love has debuted a new display planogram for its Classic Collection of pheromone-infused scents.

IronTech Doll Debuts Violet Voss Replica Sex Doll

IronTech Doll has introduced its new Violet Voss replica sex doll.

Pjur Marks 30-Year Anniversary With Retail Sales Contest

Pjur is marking its 30th anniversary with the launch of a sales contest and gift campaign.

Genesis Green Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Genesis Green has made her Transangels debut alongside Tony Genius in "Are You Winning, Hoe?"

Eldorado to Host Webinar With Classic Brands

Eldorado Trading will host a Facebook Live webinar with Classic Brands sales executive Nicole McCree on Thursday, March 27, at 10 a.m. (PDT).

Xgen Debuts 2025 New Releases Catalog

Xgen Products has debuted its 2025 New Releases catalog.

Show More