Cristina Jones

In today's episode of Superpowers for Good, I had the pleasure of speaking with Samantha Miller 🌱 and Katherine Voyten from Cadence OTC. Samantha, the co-founder and CEO, shared fascinating insights about their mission to make contraceptives more accessible. Samantha explained that Cadence OTC is not just a business; it's a crusade to empower individuals by increasing over-the-counter access to safe and affordable contraceptives. This access is not only about convenience but also about empowering individuals with choices regarding their reproductive health. One point that Samantha passionately made stands out: "We're in a unique position to fill this huge market need." This statement underscores the gap Cadence OTC aims to bridge by making contraceptives available next to everyday items in drugstores, a revolutionary shift from the prescription-only model. Their journey involves intricate collaboration with the FDA and extensive consumer education to ensure that the switch to over-the-counter access is both effective and safe. Samantha shared the complexities involved in this transition, noting, "It involves a lot of consumer studies as well as intensive collaboration with FDA." But perhaps the most powerful aspect of our conversation was the broader impact of their work. Samantha eloquently highlighted the potential societal benefits: reducing unintended pregnancies and thereby improving the lives of women and families across the nation. "The big-picture goal that we have of reducing unintended pregnancy for everyone and making sure that all children are wanted and intended is so important," she stated. As we continued our discussion, it was clear that the work Cadence OTC is doing could reshape the landscape of women's health. By making birth control as accessible as buying a pack of gum, they are not just selling a product; they are fostering a movement towards greater personal agency and health equity. This is more than health care reform; it's a cultural shift towards empowering individuals to make informed choices about their bodies and futures. We delved into the Wefunder crowdfunding campaign launched by Cadence OTC. Kate Voyten shared that this campaign marks the first open opportunity for public investment in their transformative initiative to bring birth control over the counter. This effort not only aims to improve access to contraceptives but also targets what Kate described as "contraceptive deserts" across the United States—areas with limited access to crucial health products. Watch, listen or read more: http://s4g.biz/09may24. #ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd #FreeThePill #BirthControlAccess #OTCBirthControl #PillsCanHelp #AccessMatters #ReproductiveHealth #HealthcareForAll #FamilyPlanning #WomensHealth

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In a thriving “murderabilia” industry, Killer Fandom is, in many ways, hard to distinguish from more “mainstream” fandoms. Fan creations around Aileen Wuornos, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and Richard Ramirez, among others, demonstrate a complex and shifting stance toward their objects—marked by parodic humor and irony in many cases. Killer Fandom ultimately questions—whether it makes sense to set Dahmer and Wuornos “fans” apart from the rest of us. The field of fan studies is now well-established. The study of true crime, as a genre and a mode of digital media, is likewise a flourishing field. Yet the obvious—if difficult—conjunction of these themes in the popular phenomenon of serial killer fandom remains strikingly underexplored. In some ways, this is surprising: Fandom of serial killers is older than the term “serial killer,” and has actually been one of the most publicly visible forms of fandom historically, from Victorian hawkers selling bottled dirt from murder-sites as souvenirs to media moralizing over the contemporary sexualization of Richard “The Night Stalker” Ramirez or Ted Bundy. Yet, in other ways, it is expected. Remember that fan studies evolved from a place of pathologization, seeking to reclaim the positions and affinities of fans from the labels of “freak,” “obsessive,” and “abnormal.” Early fan studies scholars can perhaps be excused for their avoidance of so-called “dark fandoms,” which a handful of scholars are just beginning to explore. But these days, surely, the figure of the media fan is sufficiently mainstreamed and visible—not to mention commercialized—that, for better or worse, one can assume that the category of “fan” as such is a neutral descriptor. What one is a fan of, and in what ways, can of course still produce all kinds of (gendered and raced) stigmatization. But scholars should not avoid the discussion of more confronting fandoms on the grounds that it might reinforce lazy stereotypes that “being a fan” makes one crazy. This book looks at contemporary serial killer fandom online, considering the ways in which it is or is not like other forms of fandom, and what fan studies scholars can learn from applying some frames that fan studies has now established. The small body of work on fandom of criminals so far has tended to focus on school shooters, probably because of their problematized connections with youth subcultures and the vast amount of media coverage they generate. Certainly, there is crossover between serial killer fandom and school shooter fandom, in the sense that they share a common stigma because it has a specific mediated history. The relationship of the mainstream media to serial killing and the celebrification of serial killers is quite distinct and deserves specific attention. 256p 2023 mediastudies press https://lnkd.in/gT-wPfQC

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When the American Journalism Project launched five years ago, our mandate was to create the conditions for community-led nonprofit news organizations to sustainably provide the journalism our democracy requires. Today, I’m pleased to share our 2024 Impact Report, a look at the progress we’ve made since our inception. In the five years since our launch, we’ve raised $175 million from national and local philanthropy, and built a portfolio of 44 nonprofit local news organizations —  diverse in size, scope, reach and leadership. Some highlights from the report: -In the last year alone, our portfolio of 44 grantee organizations generated $86 million in revenue — a 36% increase over their 2022 revenue. -Year over year, the organizations in our portfolio are seeing a 58% median growth. -And this growth is leading to more journalism – last year, our portfolio of grantees employed 568 editorial and newsroom staff – an 18% increase over 2022. Organizations are growing, diversifying their revenue, adding journalists, and strengthening their communities. I’m proud of the progress the portfolio has made, and remain clear-eyed about the future. This report sheds light on how far we’ve come and sets the stage for what’s ahead. I hope you'll take a moment to read it. https://lnkd.in/eipwwhxN

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In the month of March, I moderated an AI panel on "AI-Proofing Your Career" for Chief, a senior women executives' networking group, with Karina DuQuesne Yvonne Li Maribeth Martorana, CFA in which we discussed the importance of women in AI careers, tips on educating yourself and staying at pace with developments in AI, and how to get started integrating AI into your daily workflow and enable your workforce with AI. Check out the summary of our panel discussion.

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Great share and wonderful contribution to the conversation by Bradley Cooper. Something so many of us go through and try to navigate but is rarely talked about…there is no handbook, the resources are sparse and you have to do so much research on your own. It can be overwhelming, and yes as mentioned, lonely. I keep hoping that the next wave of innovation will be around the aging community. Most retirement homes and their approach are outdated. Most of us will face these challenges someday both for ourselves and caring for someone else; why aren’t we investing in better solves and better resources. Instead it seems we like to pretend it’s not going to happen—until we’re forced to deal with it. Senior care, and caregiving in general, is definitely an industry that is profitable—but the pressure to ‘do better’ as an industry doesn’t seem to be there. How can we change this? I’d love to help contribute to the solution—anyone have any thoughts??? As a creative community surely we can come up with something.

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Tubi launches in the UK - OTT overkill? "Tubi, the free advertising-supported streaming service owned by Fox Corp., is looking to bring its success formula to the U.K., launching in the market on Tuesday, July 2. The streamer, led by CEO Anjali Sud, the former head of Vimeo, now has about 80 million monthly active users....In the U.S., its strategy has differed from other FAST platforms. For example, 90 percent of viewing on Tubi is focused on on-demand movies and TV series, compared to peers’ focus on live, linear channels. And per the Nielsen Gauge from May, Tubi made up 1.8 percent of all TV viewing in the U.S. for that month, tied with Disney+." "“Tubi has spent the last decade honing our approach to vast, free and fun streaming in North America, and we feel that now is the perfect time to bring that recipe to U.K. audiences,” said Sud in unveiling the U.K. debut. “We are launching with one of the largest and most diverse content libraries in the U.K., designed to indulge viewers in everything from blockbusters to original stories to hidden gems.”" Tubi's different approach has had success in the US, and the logic goes, if it can work in the US, it can work anywhere, especially in the UK given the common language. However, that's a lazy comparison to make. Despite the commonality in language, the UK as a TV market is much more like Europe than it is the US. The UK has several free alternatives, and more focused on the local market, ITV X, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, plus the growing range of #fastchannels on offer in the market. Added to that the paid #svod services, Disney+ Prime, Netflix, Paramount etc. Then of course there's still #lineartv with freeview offering around 50-70 channels for free. "Much of Tubi’s early work will be “listening” to consumers’ usage, reaction and input. “This is about putting the U.K. viewer at the center,” argued Sud. “Right now, our perspective is it’s day one, let’s earn the right to deeply understand this audience.”" - Well in my opinion, the only way to do this, is to invest in originals and make an impact on the UK, meeting the market at its level. That is what the competition is doing, rather than sending US series for a US audience to the UK and expecting the same results. Of course, like in all markets it has its place, and will have interest, given Tubi's Fox catalogue. However, there's a ceiling on that approach. They're indicating they'll focus on Bollywood productions. But the UK has a big Bollywood-focused media already, what is Tubi bringing that's new? "management will remain open-minded. “It’s not prescriptive,” Sud said. “It’s a bottoms-up culture, it’s not a top-down approach.” - Remains to be seen, my bet is its more the latter. https://lnkd.in/eqWZu7mT

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So many of my former peers and colleagues are heading to Cannes this week, and I hope that they will take the time to read this, and discuss it. As a former agency leader, this is an issue that has increasingly unnerved me for years. I avoided speaking up about it because, frankly, I was afraid of how much connective tissue (and revenue) my agencies had with social media platforms. I know I'm not alone in this. But as a parent, I can't keep how I feel about this to myself anymore. It is massively, massively important that we hold social media platforms accountable for the unparalleled influence they have over the fabric of our society and our mental health. The degree to which they operate unchecked in the face of all the things we know to be true is just completely irresponsible. The data is overwhelming- and overwhelmingly clear. For all the good these platforms make possible, there is a very unhealthy and corrosive underbelly that needs to be addressed and reined in. This is an issue where marketers, advertisers and media professionals should use their influence, experience and insight to help neutralize a very serious and tangible problem that is directly tied into what we do. Even requiring every platform to publicly publish their behavioral science data and insights would go an enormous way, as the Surgeon General suggests. People deserve the transparency of understanding the degree to which this tech is engineered to affect their behavior, and to play to and capitalize on their emotions. #socialmedia #cannes #creativity #tech #mentalhealth #advertising #marketing

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Yet another piece in the puzzle of the film industry's demand for innovation has fallen into place. Participant's closure should be a jolt to awareness within the film industry. The loss of Participant leaves a significant void in the realm of premium content that tells deeply meaningful stories. However, let's be clear: this incident does not signal a lack of demand for socially impactful films. On the contrary, it underscores the urgent need for innovation within our media landscape. Now more than ever, there is a resounding call for innovative models to support mission-driven financing that uphold artistic integrity while making a positive impact on society. The current system is in need of disruption, and it's an inflection to seize this moment as an opportunity for change. Despite the chaos in the media landscape, there is immense potential waiting to be unlocked. It's time to explore new avenues, experiment with fresh approaches, and reimagine the future of philanthropy in film. The appetite for content that engages, entertains, and inspires positive change is palpable, and it's essential that we rise to meet this demand. While Participant's doors are closing there's a way to build on the legacy of organizations like Participant and create a future where meaningful cinema thrives, leaving a lasting impact on hearts and minds around the world. I've made a similar post but I think I'll share a short series of where philanthropy and innovation can meet to create change! https://lnkd.in/evYFJhA9 #Philanthropy #FilmIndustry #Innovation #SocialImpact #Storytelling #ChangeAgents

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Unless you have been living under a rock (and trust me, I know we all sometimes want to) you know that election season is upon us. From the first US Presidential debate last night to the UK election next week, 49% of world voters are heading to the polls this year. And yes with that comes countless breaking news notifications, social media posts, and feelings of anxiety, overwhelmingness and helplessness. To meet people in their most stressful moments, I’m excited to share that today we launched our Politics Without Panic campaign to help voters manage their mental health throughout the 2024 election season. Our Election Season Survival Guide includes an election stress assessment, mindfulness exercises and in app mental health resources. And because one of the best ways to combat these feelings around stress and anxiety is to get involved in the democratic process, we have partnered with Michelle Obama's When We All Vote (WWAV), a national, nonpartisan initiative dedicated to changing the culture around voting and increasing participation in every election, on a voter registration portal to help voters determine whether they are registered to vote and how to register. https://lnkd.in/giEGNmks

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I'm back from maternity leave, with two babies and two stories to share! We've started a new series, AI Insights, which I'm kicking off with interviews with the Transformer 8. These former Google researchers are the authors of the 2017 "Attention is All You Need" paper that established the transformer neural network architecture that makes generative AI possible. Fascinating minds. My first conversation is with Illia Polosukhin, the first to leave Google before the paper even published, to co-found AI blockchain startup NEAR Protocol. He's a big believer in user-owned AI https://lnkd.in/g_UGWxNx

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INSIGHT of the day: How GenAI Will Transform Media and Entertainment. (Don’t Freak Out.) Great article interviewing Renard T. Jenkins on that matter. You need to listen to unbiased professionals to get a fair assessment on how AI will transform the M&E industry, content creation being the largest segment that has already been impacted.

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It is not 'cable'... although it is the standard playback of providing both value and stickyness for TV platform providers with their customers. Although it is not just legacy TV platform providers who should be doing this - new TV platform providers need to do it as well, although many are hamstrung with their go to market approach and relationships as they are hard competitors which naturally makes collaboration for bundling almost impossible.

Reflecting on Paul Hodgins' observations, the resurgence of music events post-pandemic underscores the enduring appeal of in-person experiences. This sentiment resonates deeply with me, especially as someone who appreciates digital content but finds solace in the authenticity of face-to-face interactions. My recent engagements with The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and Creative Generation reaffirm the widespread desire for in-person connections, confirming broader trends indicating a notable uptick in attendance compared to early pandemic metrics. However, amidst these positive trends, the classical music sector presents a complex narrative. While it shows signs of revival, there's an urgency to address longstanding issues of diversity and relevance. As an advocate for inclusivity, I recognize the importance of celebrating successes while holding the sector accountable for fostering greater representation and innovation. Conversely, the nonprofit theater and dance sectors confront a more challenging landscape, marked by closures and uncertainties. Recent surveys reveal a sobering reality, with top-tier regional theaters projecting a significant decline in productions compared to pre-pandemic levels. This decline prompts critical reflections on programming choices and audience engagement strategies. Furthermore, it begs the question: Is it time for a reassessment of the aims and structure of the regional theater ecosystem? In my view, the key to revitalizing the arts lies in fostering intergenerational collaboration and embracing fresh perspectives. However, entrenched systems and prolonged tenures in leadership positions pose formidable obstacles to innovation. To overcome these challenges, we must advocate for pathways that empower individuals at every stage of their careers, coupled with a commitment to change. As Michael Bobbit (Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council) suggests, addressing these complex issues requires a collaborative effort involving diverse stakeholders. We must look beyond traditional boundaries and seek insights from disciplines such as economics, entrepreneurship, and futurism. By fostering inclusive dialogue and leveraging expertise from diverse fields, we can chart a path toward a more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future for the arts. #Arts #Culture #Music #Theater #Dance #Innovation #Diversity #Inclusion #AudienceEngagement #CommunityEngagement #Leadership #Collaboration #Resilience #FutureOfWork #COVID19

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A #lazyweb sort of question for folks … As I mentioned, I’m writing a book. I’d love to send out chunks of it to various people to get their feedback on what I’ve written. Google Docs sharing can be painful. Is there a better, lightly technical, platform for collaborative editing/commenting/document review you’d recommend? Basically, stop me from fighting Docs or firing up a GitHub repo for this.

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Proud moments: last week's White House roundtable. I had the honor of participating in crucial discussions with administrative officials, LGBTQ investors, founders, entrepreneurs, and activists from across the venture capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our goal? To shape policies that empower LGBTQ entrepreneurs and capital allocators in the venture capital economy. Three reflections came out of this experience: 1. Awareness is key. The administration has numerous programs to support LGBTQ entrepreneurs, but many remain underutilized due to lack of awareness. We must bridge this information gap. 2. Visibility is power. Being part of this roundtable reinforced the importance of creating visibility for LGBTQ investors and entrepreneurs. Our stories and experiences can drive meaningful change. 3. More work lies ahead. While progress has been made, there's still a pressing need for policies that offer the LGBTQ community the same level of support as other underrepresented groups. This "meeting of the minds" was a pivotal step towards a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.  By fostering stronger connections between the LGBTQ business community and policymakers, we're paving the way for new opportunities, increased access to capital, and a more vibrant, diverse venture capital ecosystem. As we move forward, I'm committed to amplifying our community's voice and working towards policies that ensure equal opportunities for all entrepreneurs, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Together, we can build a future where innovation knows no boundaries.

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Last week, I was given the opportunity through the Sustainable Media Center to interview Jonathan Haidt and @profgalloway about my generation's relationship with technology, as detailed in Jonathan's book "The Anxious Generation". We explored many critical topics, such as the "Why" behind the book, the proliferation of antagonism online, Big Tech's role in fueling and solving our digital dilemma, and much more. Listen to the full conversation below! https://lnkd.in/e2GDf-rq

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