Latest news with #Sequel
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund Celebrates Awarding 300th Grant, and Welcomes Sequel as a Fund Partner
WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LWC Studios today announced its Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund has awarded its 300th grant since its founding in 2021. Grant recipients have used funds to submit work to dozens of awards, including: The Ambies, Webby Awards, International Women's Podcast Awards, Tribeca Film Festival, Radio Academy Audio & Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS), British Podcast Awards, Black Podcasting Awards, Australian Podcast Awards, and George Polk Award. LWC Studios, the Fund's pro bono operator, with AIR as its fiscal sponsor, covers submission fees for producers, editors, and others, up to $200 per calendar year per creator. It also reimburses up to $500 annually for training in digital audio production. LWC Studios also welcomed Sequel, a Canadian creative agency, as a new The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund partner. With Sequel's support, the Fund will continue its commitment to supporting and deepening the talent pool in podcasting, while strengthening pathways for independent and early-career BIPOC, Queer, and Trans producers to submit their work to awards and competitions, and to receive career-expanding training subsidized by the Fund. Tori Allen, Co-founder of Sequel says, "Throughout my career – from CBC Radio to international reporting to branded storytelling – I've had mentors who made space for my voice as a woman of color and Queer and Trans ally. That support shaped me, and it's a big part of why I wanted to start Sequel – to help new voices break through and thrive, especially in Canada. Partnering with the Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund is a meaningful way to celebrate Sequel's first year and reflects the podcasting industry we want to help build: inclusive, and full of possibility." "Sequel is an ideal Fund partner, as it mirrors the values upon which the Fund was built: creativity and inclusion, and lifting as you climb," says Juleyka Lantigua, Founder and CEO of LWC Studios. The Fund accepts reimbursement applications year-round, and qualifying independent producers must be based in Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, or Australia. Those interested, can apply here. Support the Fund via Patreon, AIR, and Buy Me a Coffee. Visit: View original content: SOURCE LWC Studios
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Beyond DEI Fatigue: How CARES Framework Builds Authentic Brand Trust
Image showing the Five CARES dimensions of consumer social well-being that drive brand trust. Navigating the complex landscape of today's market, many CMOs are grappling with "DEI fatigue" and a growing skepticism around corporate social initiatives. Yet, in this environment, building authentic brand trust has never been more critical. This article introduces a powerful new CMO strategy for achieving true consumer trust and lasting loyalty: The CARES Framework. We'll demonstrate how brands can move beyond performative gestures to genuinely resonate with their audience, as exemplified by the surprising, yet brilliant, move from menstrual care startup, Sequel. When Sequel recently signed a stadium sponsorship deal with Audi Field - home of D.C. United men's soccer - it wasn't merely a PR stunt. It was a strategic masterclass in embedding utility and visibility to earn deep brand trust where it's long been overlooked. This initiative builds on the core insights from our series, which first explored how corporate DEI efforts faltered under the weight of overpromising and underdelivering, implicating marketing strategy in exposing that gap. Subsequent articles examined consumer backlash, revealing how a lack of alignment can erode trust, and introduced the psychology of social threat and reward as a key lens for understanding consumer reactions. This brings us to the CARES Framework, the core of modern brand trust. It proposes that the next era of brand trust will be shaped not by ideology, but by how five core dimensions of consumer well-being are proactively addressed by brands: Connection, Agency, Recognition, Equity, and Security. The CARES Framework captures how consumers assess brand experiences not only for functional value, but for how they impact emotional and relational well-being. It's not just about what brands do - it's about how brands engage with the social threat already present in consumers' lives and actively deliver consumer reward. Marketers leveraging CARES are urged to: In today's landscape of hyper-visibility and heightened sensitivity, many brands hesitate to take bold action, fearing the kind of backlash that has sunk campaigns, derailed careers, and diluted missions. Yet, it's precisely these moments that call for a new CMO strategy and market-driven innovation. Sequel isn't just avoiding triggering social threat - it's meeting the moment with clarity, confidence, and cultural intelligence. By addressing an often-ignored population in a high-profile men's sports venue, the brand signals a new standard for strategic resonance and market relevance. This pivotal moment is also made possible by D.C. United and, more broadly, Major League Soccer (MLS) - a league that increasingly understands that expanding the fan experience means recognizing, not marginalizing, its full audience. In supporting Sequel's presence, MLS shares the spotlight and helps create a platform for consumer reward. This isn't just a one-off headline; it's a powerful blueprint for emotionally intelligent branding and a direct activation of consumer reward across all five CARES Framework domains. Here's how Sequel exemplifies each: 'We Actually Recognize That Men's Sports Have Female Fans' This quote from Sequel cofounder and CMO Amanda Calabrese captures a long-overdue shift in brand thinking. Female fans have always been in the stands, but rarely acknowledged as core customers. Sequel's presence in Audi Field doesn't just say you belong here; it says you always did, fostering immediate consumer connection and building brand trust. Unlike brands that isolate female fans through pinkwashed marketing or "separate but unequal" experiences, Sequel builds genuine connection through integration - making menstrual care a seamless part of the shared sports experience. This is a crucial lesson for market-responsive marketing. D.C. United's openness to the partnership reflects a broader shift within Major League Soccer (MLS) toward recognizing all fans, not as niche markets, but as core participants in the culture of the game. Sequel's innovation isn't superficial; it's about genuine product empowerment. Their spiral tampon was designed based on the needs of elite women athletes – optimized for comfort, performance, and movement. This isn't cause marketing; it's a commitment to user control and experience. Rather than rebranding existing products in pastel colors, Sequel focuses on giving users more control over their physical comfort and experience. This isn't just marketing to women - it's designing with them in mind, a crucial lesson for any CMO seeking to build consumer trust through tangible value. D.C. United's decision to give Sequel a platform within MLS reflects an organizational commitment to giving fans – and the brands that serve them – room to operate with dignity and relevance. When leagues remove outdated gatekeeping, they unlock agency for both athletes and audiences, deepening brand loyalty. Sequel's move isn't about claiming elite sponsorship real estate. It is about recognition – elevating an essential need that had long been overlooked. By embedding menstrual care visibly into the stadium experience, Sequel validated the presence and importance of female fans. This strategic visibility is a powerful way to cultivate brand trust. This contrasts sharply with traditional sponsorships that prioritize visibility for luxury goods or entertainment tie-ins. Sequel recognizes that providing for basic needs can be a powerful form of respect – one that turns silent necessities into visible norms. This approach provides a clear example for CMOs seeking to enhance brand recognition through genuine utility. D.C. United amplifies that recognition by treating Sequel's partnership as a mainstream, not marginal, part of the stadium experience, further cementing consumer trust. In Sequel's deal with Audi Field, menstrual products won't be offered only during women's games or in separate zones. They'll be available at every event, for every attendee who needs them. That signals equity - not accommodation. When brands and organizations assume the presence and needs of all consumers from the outset, they level the playing field. Fairness isn't positioned as an extra favor; it becomes basic design logic. This proactive approach to broad market appeal is essential for building foundational brand trust. MLS's role isn't passive. By enabling equal access across all games - not just women's matches - D.C. United and the league will institutionalize fairness as a feature of the venue, not an exception for special circumstances. This commitment to strategic relevance strengthens consumer loyalty. Events are high-stakes experiences. Whether you're at a game, concert, or public rally, no one wants to worry about whether basic needs will be met. By offering free, high-quality menstrual products in public restrooms, Sequel removes uncertainty and potential embarrassment. That's how brands create emotional safety: not through slogans, but through preparedness - a core element of authentic brand trust. The fact that a major men's sports venue, under MLS leadership, embraces Sequel's integration sends an even bigger signal: you are not an afterthought. Embedding care into infrastructure - not just messaging - helps reduce stigma and build real consumer trust. For CMOs, understanding this aspect of consumer reward means recognizing that when people don't have to think about whether their fundamental needs will be met, they can fully engage in the experience – and deepen their connection to the brand and environment, providing that essential security. The most effective brand strategies aren't built on risk aversion; they're built on insight, courage, and a profound commitment to delivering what consumers actually need to feel seen, secure, and respected. As demonstrated by Sequel's innovative marketing strategy, Connection, Agency, Recognition, Equity, and Security aren't just soft goals. They are hard drivers of consumer trust, loyalty, and sustainable growth. If your brand hasn't yet mapped how its actions affect each of these critical dimensions, now is the time for a crucial CMO strategy session. Ask yourself: Where might we be complicit in social threat? Where are we silent when we could be supportive? And where can we go beyond risk mitigation to deliver real, resonant consumer reward? The CARES Framework offers a practical tool for navigating these complex questions - not as a rigid checklist, but as an essential compass for modern marketing innovation. Let it guide your next product decision, your next campaign brief, and your next boardroom conversation. Because the future of brand relevance isn't neutral. It's built on authentic brand trust, emotional safety, human connection - and bold, insightful moves like Sequel's that show consumers they truly belong. To explore how the CARES Framework builds on foundational neuroscience while moving beyond outdated identity-based segmentation, read the full Forbes CMO series on consumer social well-being - and how social threat and reward now drive brand trust.
Geek Girl Authority
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
The Librarians: The Next Chapter Archives
Categories Select Category Games GGA Columns Movies Stuff We Like The Daily Bugle TV & Streaming fantasy Recaps & Reviews TV & Streaming In the series premiere of The Librarians: The Next Chapter, Librarian Vikram Chamberlain leaps from 1847 into the modern day. Read our recap! The CW is adding a sequel to The Librarians to their lineup. Click through to find out what we know so far!
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Sequel Tampons Wins Female Brand Trust Through Men's Sports
WASHINGTON - JUNE 5: D.C. United fans look on against Real Salt Lake during a MLS soccer match on ... More June 5, 2010 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. (Photo by) Getty Images When Sequel, a menstrual care startup, recently signed a stadium sponsorship deal with Audi Field - home of D.C. United men's soccer - it won't just slap its name on a scoreboard. It will place free tampons throughout a venue historically associated with men's sports, recognizing menstruating fans as full participants, not afterthoughts. This isn't a CSR gesture. It is a strategic move to embed utility and visibility and earn brand trust where it's long been missing. The first article of this series explored corporate DEI efforts as they faltered under the weight of overpromising and underdelivering—and how marketing was implicated in exposing that gap. The second introduced a new lens for understanding consumer backlash: the psychology of social threat and reward. The most recent article proposed that the next era of brand trust would be shaped not by ideology, but by how five core dimensions of social well-being are responded to by brands: Connection, Agency, Recognition, Equity, and Security. Together, these five dimensions form the CARES Framework. CARES captures how consumers assess brand experiences not only for functional value, but for how they impact emotional and relational well-being. It's not just about what brands do—it's about how brands engage with the social threat already present in consumers' lives. CARES urges marketers to: Recognize the social threat consumers feel at the macro (societal), meso (community), and micro (individual) levels; Avoid contributing to that threat through brand actions, messages, and omissions; Create experiences that actively deliver social reward across five core domains: Connection, Agency, Recognition, Equity, and Security. In today's landscape of hyper-visibility and heightened sensitivity, many brands hesitate to take bold action, fearing the kind of backlash that has sunk campaigns, derailed careers, and diluted missions. Sequel isn't just avoid triggering threat—it's meeting the moment with clarity, confidence, and cultural intelligence. By addressing an often-ignored population in a high-profile men's sports venue, the brand signals a new standard for visibility and relevance. This moment is also made possible by D.C. United and, more broadly, Major League Soccer—a league that increasingly understands that expanding the fan experience means recognizing, not marginalizing, its full audience. In supporting Sequel's presence, MLS shares the spotlight and helps create a platform for social reward. This isn't just a one-off headline. It is a blueprint for emotionally intelligent branding - an activation of social reward across all five CARES domains. Here's how: Connection: 'We Actually Recognize That Men's Sports Have Female Fans' This quote from Sequel cofounder and CMO Amanda Calabrese captures a long-overdue shift in brand thinking. Female fans have always been in the stands, but rarely acknowledged as core customers. Sequel's presence in Audi Field doesn't just say you belong here; it says you always did. Unlike brands that isolate female fans through pinkwashed marketing or "separate but unequal" experiences, Sequel builds connection through integration - making menstrual care a seamless part of the shared sports experience. D.C. United's openness to the partnership reflects a broader shift within Major League Soccer (MLS) toward recognizing all fans, not as niche markets, but as core participants in the culture of the game. Agency: Performance-Driven Design Over Pink-Washed Packaging Sequel's innovation isn't superficial. Their spiral tampon was designed based on the needs of elite women athletes - optimized for comfort, performance, and movement. That's not cause marketing. That's product empowerment. Rather than rebranding existing products in pastel colors, Sequel focuses on giving users more control over their physical comfort and experience. This isn't marketing to women—it's designing with them in mind. D.C. United's decision to give Sequel a platform within MLS reflects an organizational commitment to giving fans - and the brands that serve them - room to operate with dignity and relevance. When leagues remove outdated gatekeeping, they unlock agency for both athletes and audiences. Recognition: Building Brand Trust Through Visibility Sequel's move isn't about claiming elite sponsorship real estate. It is about recognition - elevating an essential need that had long been overlooked. By embedding menstrual care visibly into the stadium experience, Sequel validated the presence and importance of female fans. This contrasts sharply with traditional sponsorships that prioritize visibility for luxury goods or entertainment tie-ins. Sequel recognizes that providing for basic needs can be a powerful form of respect - one that turns silent necessities into visible norms. D.C. United amplifies that recognition by treating Sequel's partnership as a mainstream, not marginal, part of the stadium experience. Equity: Fairness as Design Logic In Sequel's deal with Audi Field, menstrual products won't be offered only during women's games or in separate zones. They'll be available at every event, for every attendee who needs them. That signals equity - not accommodation. When brands and organizations assume the presence and needs of all consumers from the outset, they level the playing field. Fairness isn't positioned as an extra favor—it becomes basic design logic. MLS's role isn't passive. By enabling equal access across all games—not just women's matches - D.C. United and the league will institutionalize fairness as a feature of the venue, not an exception for special circumstances. Security: Removing Stigma, Building Assurance Events are high-stakes experiences. Whether you're at a game, concert, or public rally, no one wants to worry about whether basic needs will be met. By offering free, high-quality menstrual products in public restrooms, Sequel removes uncertainty and potential embarrassment. That's how brands create emotional safety: not through slogans, but through preparedness. The fact that a major men's sports venue, under MLS leadership, embraces Sequel's integration sends an even bigger signal: you are not an afterthought. Embedding care into infrastructure—not just messaging—helps reduce stigma and build real trust. When people don't have to think about whether their needs will be met, they can fully engage in the experience - and deepen their connection to the brand and environment, providing that security. From Framework to Field Play Sequel didn't set out to follow the CARES Framework. But by listening deeply, designing intentionally, and showing up in unexpected places, they demonstrate what social reward looks like when it's done right. The brand isn't performing allyship. It's practicing utility. It isn't seeking applause. It's providing assurance. This is how brands move from avoidance to action, from relevance to resonance. Notably, they will do it without triggering backlash. Why? Because the effort is real. Because the product solves a problem. Because the presence felt is earned, not inserted. That's the difference between building recognition and demanding credit. Closing: How Sequel Shows that Brand Trust Still Wins The best brand strategies aren't built on risk aversion. They're built on insight, courage, and a commitment to delivering what consumers actually need to feel seen, secure, and respected. Connection, Agency, Recognition, Equity, and Security aren't just soft goals. They are hard drivers of trust, loyalty, and growth. If your brand hasn't yet mapped how its actions affect each of these dimensions, now is the time. Ask yourself: Where might we be complicit in social threat? Where are we silent when we could be supportive? And where can we go beyond risk mitigation to deliver real, resonant reward? The CARES Framework offers a practical tool for navigating these questions—not as a checklist, but as a compass. Let it guide your next product decision, your next campaign brief, your next boardroom conversation. Because the future of brand relevance isn't neutral. It's built on brand trust, emotional safety, human connection — and bold moves like Sequel's that show consumers they truly belong.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sequel Med Tech and Senseonics Integrate Technologies to Create First Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System with One-Year Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
twiist™ expands compatibility offerings to become the first AID system compatible with Senseonics Eversense® 365 one-year CGM system twiist with Eversense 365 launch expected in Q3 MANCHESTER, N.H. and GERMANTOWN, Md., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sequel Med Tech, LLC, a company developing state-of-the-art insulin delivery technologies, and Senseonics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: SENS), a medical technology company focused on the development and manufacturing of long-term, implantable CGM systems for people with diabetes, today announced their commercial development agreement to integrate Sequel's twiist Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System powered by Tidepool with Senseonics' Eversense 365 CGM. Through this collaboration, the twiist™ Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System will become the first AID system compatible with the Senseonics Eversense 365, the world's first and only one-year CGM system, offering people with type 1 diabetes a new level of flexibility and personalization in their diabetes management. The agreement between Sequel and Senseonics will provide individuals with type 1 diabetes the option of a one-year CGM system that integrates with the twiist AID System. The integrated system aims to enhance diabetes management by offering people with diabetes more tools to manage care, which may lead to improved glucose control, increased convenience, and provide greater flexibility. 'Sequel is committed to investing in innovations that empower people with diabetes with options in how they manage their diabetes,' said Sequel CEO and Co-Founder Alan Lotvin, M.D. 'By partnering with Senseonics, a company pioneering long-duration CGM, we aim to deliver the flexibility people want to personalize their diabetes management on their terms.' 'This collaboration with Sequel marks a significant step forward in transforming diabetes care,' said Tim Goodnow, PhD, President and CEO of Senseonics. 'People with diabetes who choose the convenience and ease of our one-year CGM sensor have been waiting for a compatible AID system to enhance their diabetes management. The synergy of Eversense and twiist will provide people with diabetes our most recent innovations in advanced pump, algorithm, and sensor technologies to simplify diabetes management, providing users with an AID solution that unlocks the full experience of our year-long CGM technology.' Sequel remains committed to advancing diabetes technology and expanding partnerships to give people with diabetes more choice and flexibility in how they manage their diabetes. People living with type 1 diabetes who choose to use twiist will have the flexibility to select from two compatible CGM partners, the Senseonics Eversense 365 and Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor, to best suit their individual needs for managing diabetes. In September 2024, Eversense 365 received FDA clearance as an integrated continuous glucose monitoring (iCGM) system for people with diabetes, paving the way for its use within an automated insulin delivery (AID) system. United by a shared commitment to simplifying diabetes management and improving quality of life, Senseonics and Sequel have begun work to integrate Senseonics' newest generation one-year sensor, Eversense 365, with twiist, Sequel's state-of-the-art AID system. This expanded CGM compatibility between Eversense and twiist will mark a significant advancement—offering greater personalization, more choice, and the potential for improved outcomes for people living with diabetes. The integration is expected to be available in the third quarter of this year. About twiist The twiist AID System is the first insulin delivery system that directly measures the volume of insulin delivered with every micro-dose. Cleared for people ages six and up with type 1 diabetes, the twiist AID System offers the capability and flexibility to address each person's individual dosing needs. The twiist Loop algorithm, based on the diabetes community-driven Tidepool Loop, allows the system to automatically adjust basal insulin delivery based on real-time sensor readings and predicted glucose levels. For more information about twiist, set to be commercially available in Q2 2025, please visit About Sequel Med Tech Headquartered in Manchester, N.H., Sequel Med Tech, LLC is developing the next generation of transformative drug-delivery advancements. Sequel's approach is to look at disease management holistically to advance systems that make living with disease simpler and easier for all. Its FDA-cleared innovation, the twiist® Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system, integrates novel technologies to reimagine insulin delivery and sets a new standard for drug delivery. Co-founded by visionary Dean Kamen, serial entrepreneur Pablo Legorreta, seasoned medical device executive Bill Doyle and healthcare visionary Alan Lotvin, MD. Sequel is bringing the latest developments in science and technology to help drive more accessible drug delivery. For more information, visit and About Eversense Eversense 365 is developed by Senseonics and brought to patients by Ascensia Diabetes Care, a subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE: 6523). As the only implantable CGM available, it offers patients a truly differentiated CGM experience, providing One Year of exceptionally accurate monitoring with minimal interruptions. It benefits endocrinologists and care teams by offering their patients confidence in decision-making, long-term peace of mind and enhanced quality of life with just one CGM. The unique approach also allows people to overcome common frustrations and interruptions experienced with traditional, short-term CGMs, so that patients can focus on managing their diabetes and not their CGM. The Eversense® Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems are indicated for continually measuring glucose levels for up to 365 days for Eversense® 365 and 180 days for Eversense® E3 in persons with diabetes age 18 and older. The systems are indicated for use to replace fingerstick blood glucose (BG) measurements for diabetes treatment decisions. Fingerstick BG measurements are still required for calibration primarily one time per week after day 13 for Eversense® 365 and one time per day after day 21 for Eversense® E3, and when symptoms do not match CGM information or when taking medications of the tetracycline class. The sensor insertion and removal procedures are performed by a health care provider. The Eversense CGM Systems are prescription devices; patients should talk to their health care provider to learn more. For important safety information, see A media kit for Eversense 365, including images, logos and further information, can be accessed at About Senseonics Senseonics Holdings, Inc. ("Senseonics") is a medical technology company focused on the development and manufacturing of glucose monitoring products designed to transform lives in the global diabetes community with differentiated, long-term implantable glucose management technology. Senseonics' CGM system Eversense® 365 includes a small sensor inserted completely under the skin that communicates with a smart transmitter worn over the sensor. The glucose data are automatically sent every 5 minutes to a mobile app on the user's smartphone. Forward Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about the expectations regarding potential impact on people with diabetes' and providers' experience, benefits and outcomes, statements regarding the results, success and timeline for completion of the integration, and other statements containing the words "believe," 'expect,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'projects,' 'will,' 'planned,' and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: uncertainties inherent in the new product launch and ongoing commercialization of Eversense 365, uncertainties inherent in the coordination with third parties and new partners, uncertainties inherent in the development of new technologies, uncertainties in insurer, regulatory and administrative processes and decisions, uncertainties in prescriber and patient decisions and responses to new technology or initiatives, and such other factors as are set forth in the risk factors detailed in Senseonics' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC under the heading "Risk Factors." In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Senseonics' views as of the date hereof. Senseonics anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Senseonics' views to change. However, while Senseonics may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Senseonics specifically disclaims any obligation to do so except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Senseonics' views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. Sequel Media ContactGreta GustafsonHighwire Senseonics Investor ContactJeremy FefferLifeSci Advisorsinvestors@ in to access your portfolio
