ABOUT
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging are priorities for ViacomCBS. To be the best creators and storytellers possible, we are committed to making our company a place of inclusion that reflects, celebrates and elevates the diversity of our audiences. That commitment only intensified in 2020, as an inescapable cultural reckoning led us to confront systemic racism and bias, and to reexamine our role in making diversity, inclusion, equity and justice a reality for everyone. As a content powerhouse with global reach and influence, we know we have more work to do. We fully recognize our responsibility to use our platforms to connect the world,  create culture, mark the moments that matter to us all and make meaningful and lasting change.

  • A Note from Bob Bakish

    CEO & PRESIDENT, VIACOMCBS

    bob bakish bob bakish
    bob bakish bob bakish

    At ViacomCBS, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a shared mission that starts at the top with me, our leadership team and our Board of Directors. It’s reflected in the legacy of our brands and content, and in the initiatives we support to develop diverse talent in front and behind the camera. It’s rooted in the way we engage our employees and work with our partners. It’s ingrained in how we stand with and speak up for the communities we serve when we see injustice. And though we’re proud of how far ViacomCBS has come in promoting diversity, inclusion and belonging, we know we can and must do better in the areas where we fall short of our commitment.

    Since the merger of Viacom and CBS, we’ve been focused on building a strong company culture where all of our employees feel equally empowered to succeed, with an inclusive environment that will attract creative and innovative minds from all backgrounds. As one of the largest content producers in the world, we recognize the direct impact that our culture and workforce have on the stories that get told and the diversity represented on screen. Because of this, we have a unique responsibility to ensure our workforce – at all levels – reflects the audiences and communities we serve.

    In our Diversity & Inclusion website, you’ll learn how we’re making inclusion, equity and belonging cornerstones of our culture and business. We continue to have a female-majority board. And this year, we’ve made good progress in our efforts to elevate underrepresented voices with new initiatives, including BET’s Content for Change, CBS News’ Village diversity initiative and MTV Entertainment Group’s First Time Directors program for women and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) filmmakers. CBS also announced a target for a minimum of 40% BIPOC representation in its writers’ rooms beginning the 2021-2022 broadcast season, with the goal to increase that number to 50% in 2022-2023. The network followed up by announcing a target for all future unscripted programs to have casts with at least 50% of the contestants being BIPOC, as well as allocate at least a quarter of its annual unscripted development budget to projects created or co-created by BIPOC producers, starting in the 2021-2022 season.

    And internationally, we introduced our “No Diversity, No Commission” policy that spans 180 countries and requires production companies to adhere to diversity guidelines before budgets are signed and productions are approved to begin. We also continue to deepen our longstanding partnerships and support the work of diverse creators, including Tyler Perry, Will Packer and others. But there’s more work to do, especially when it comes to the make-up of our workforce.

    In terms of the demographic data we’re sharing in this report, we’re focused on gender and ethnic diversity across all levels of our organization, from the entry level through our senior leadership team. We’re examining this data on a group-by-group basis to understand the trends taking place and how we can improve our diversity at the most senior levels of our organization. Across all levels, we’re also focused on transparency around pay equity and advancement so that all of our employees can equally advance and thrive. We’ve already set goals and linked our compensation to increasing our diversity because we’re committed to making our leadership more reflective of our broader company and audiences.

    Sharing this information is an important part of our efforts and commitment to building a culture of transparency and accountability in our path toward progress. Across ViacomCBS, we’re united in our mission to be a force for lasting change in achieving diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging for all. We look forward to keeping you updated on how we’re progressing on our journey going forward.

  • A Note from Marva Smalls

    EVP, GLOBAL HEAD OF INCLUSION, VIACOMCBS; EVP, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, KIDS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT BRANDS, VIACOMCBS DOMESTIC MEDIA NETWORKS

    marva smalls marva smalls
    marva smalls marva smalls

    We believe that consistently championing a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging is what makes ViacomCBS a best-in-class company. It’s reflected in how we do business, how we serve our audiences, communities and partners, and how we continuously set and reset the bar for fostering a culture of inclusion where everyone feels they belong.

    This is a critical business imperative for us, so we strive every day to create a workplace where all of our employees can bring their whole selves to work. Not just a piece or a part, but the full range of their backgrounds, cultures and life experiences that together make us better and stronger.

    We want our company to embrace and adapt to our employees exactly as they are because that’s what inspires their best work. Their diversity – visible, cognitive and experiential – ensures that the content we create, the business solutions we offer and the partnerships we build, authentically reflect the diversity of our audiences, and employees, and remain relevant in this rapidly evolving world.

    In 2020, discussions around diversity, inclusion and equity took center stage across the U.S. and around the globe following the double pandemic of racial injustice, sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in late May, and COVID-19, which together had a devastating impact on millions of people, particularly in Black and underrepresented communities.

    Company-wide, we engaged our employees to allow them to listen to, share with, and support each other. Globally they  responded with allyship and support for the various social movements promoting equity for underrepresented communities through a plethora of high-impact content such as “JUSTICE NOW: A BET Town Hall” and “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort” that raised more than $19 million in commitments for organizations; and the primetime special “Justice for All” on CBS News. Our CBS Sports colleagues created “8:46,” a campaign exploring systemic racism through the voices and experiences of its announcers and produced “CBS Sports Connected: What it Means to Be Me,” a discussion about what it means to be Black in America. And Nickelodeon amplified the voices and experiences of Black children through its Nick News Special, “Kids, Race and Unity.”

    And in a powerful tribute to Floyd and other victims of racism, on June 1, networks within our MTV Entertainment Group – including MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central – BET and others all went dark for eight minutes and 46 seconds, reflecting the time that a policeman kept his knee on Floyd’s neck, resulting in his death.

    We have learned that our dynamic platforms allow us to turn up the volume so unfairly marginalized voices can be heard loudly and clearly. And we do this work not only when it’s convenient or when we are being scrutinized; diversity and every day inclusion is an intentional focus at all times… because that’s who we are.

    Internally, this belief drives the many programs we support to develop our talent, engage our employees and create an environment where all of our people are empowered to succeed. It’s reflected in our legacy of initiatives to nurture diverse talent in front and behind the camera, including our ViewFinder Emerging Directors Program, Nickelodeon Writing and Artist Programs, SHOWCASE, VIACOMCBS ON TOUR and ViacomCBS Writers Mentoring Program and Directing Initiative. It’s supported by the establishment of new inclusivity councils across our company, along with our Employee Resource Groups, which engage more than half of our workforce and provide forums for our employees to flourish personally and professionally, while offering direct business support to all our brands. It shows up in our Global Inclusion Week, which in its third year, continues to spark thought-provoking dialogue and reinforce our commitment to courageous conversation that moves us toward a more inclusive and equitable world.

    And though we’ve come a long way, we also have much farther to go. We know that doing the same thing and expecting different results is not going to work. So whether we’re amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities or condemning systemic racism, we are committed to being a catalyst for change.

    Ours is a shared journey. And in publishing this overview of our work, we’re increasing our transparency around our efforts to hold ourselves accountable for creating an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all of our employees.

LEVERAGING OUR CONTENT

With our immense reach and unique privilege to help change perceptions with our content, we are resolute that diversity and inclusion must be present in the projects we are involved with, whether intended for our own screens or for distribution. This mandate includes the content itself, as well as the writers, artists, showrunners and various other creators behind the scenes. Our longstanding company-wide diversity and inclusion talent initiatives have been trailblazing, but we’ve accelerated our commitment to fostering diverse talent. We launched several new programs that expand our focus on social justice and equity and provide more opportunities in front of and behind the camera. In addition, we continue to grow and ensure diversity among our suppliers and the entities they partner with to deliver crucial goods and services to our global creative and operational supply chains.

Key Content Initiatives Across Our Brands
Across ViacomCBS

Since it began in 2005, SHOWCASE has developed into a hybrid comedy show with live performances and original, creative writing. Recognized as the industry leader in actor showcases designed to highlight diverse talent, SHOWCASE is attended by executives, showrunners, casting directors, talent agents and managers, and has helped launch hundreds of careers, including several well-known on- and behind-screen personalities.

 

The ViacomCBS ViewFinder Emerging Directors Program is a company-wide initiative to provide underrepresented directors the opportunity to enhance their skill set and grow their network. Selected applicants participate in a two-year curriculum focused on honing their craft and professional development. Participants meet with network and creative executives and go on to shadow established TV directors on scripted and non-scripted programming across ViacomCBS’ Domestic Media Networks. In addition to craft development and networking opportunities, ViacomCBS provides each ViewFinder participant with monetary support to produce a project to further develop their portfolios.

The ViacomCBS Directing Initiative aims to create a meaningful network of people of color and women who are aspiring television directors and wish to establish a sustainable career. In contrast to the ViewFinder Directors Program that targets emerging directors, prospective applicants to the Directing Initiative are required to be more experienced and have membership in the Directors Guild of America.

 

The goal of the ViacomCBS Writers Mentoring Program is to lay the groundwork for emerging writers to one day become showrunners. Staffing is vital, but we also aim to instill a deeper understanding of how to sustain a career in an ever-evolving environment, by imparting the full scope of running and working on a show.

BET

BET announced in June 2020 its overall social justice initiative “Content for Change,” an expansive campaign anchored in the principle that media plays a pivotal role in shaping and driving individuals’ and communities’ values, perceptions and actions. BET, in partnership with corporate, civil rights and social justice organizations, will leverage its unique position and platforms to positively affect social justice outcomes for Black Americans. Since launch, other ViacomCBS brands have joined the effort.

Project CRE8 is a program that showcases BET’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and its longstanding support of emerging talent from the creative community. To date, Project CRE8 has given aspiring creatives the opportunity to develop an original comedy and film across screens for BET.

CBS

CBS announced a number of bold initiatives designed to significantly advance diversity and inclusion opportunities across the content-creation lifecycle. Beginning with the 2021-2022 development season, the network will allocate a minimum of 25% of its future script development budgets to projects created or co-created by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and its writers’ rooms will aim to have a minimum of 40% BIPOC representation, with a goal to increase that number to 50% the following season.

In addition, all future unscripted programs will aim to have casts with at least 50% BIPOC contestants , and the network will allocate at least a quarter of its annual unscripted development budget to projects created or co-created by BIPOC producers, effective as of the 2021-2022 season.

During the summer of 2020, CBS Studios and the NAACP agreed on a multi-year partnership to develop and produce scripted, unscripted and documentary content for linear television networks and streaming platforms. CBS also entered an exclusive agreement with 21CP Solutions, the country’s preeminent law enforcement and public safety advisory group, to consult with the writing teams on its police, crime and legal drama series.The network has also made significant strides in expanding culturally relevant programming and increasing diversity among onscreen talent and leads, in shows such as “The Neighborhood,” “Bob 💗Abishola,” “All Rise,” “S.W.A.T.,” “FBI,” “Evil” and “The Equalizer,” among other series and specials.

CBS NEWS

CBS News President and Senior Executive Producer Susan Zirinsky named award-winning journalist Alvin Patrick Executive Producer of the newly formed Race and Culture Unit in July 2020. The multifaceted unit will work closely with executive producers of all platforms to help shape coverage and ensure the division’s reporting reflects diverse perspectives. In August CBS News launched CBS Village, a cross-platform franchise led by the Race and Culture Unit that showcases the organization’s inclusive, original reporting and covers issues that affect traditionally underrepresented communities across platforms.

CBS SPORTS

While diversity and inclusion have been an important part of its operations and programming, CBS Sports significantly increased its focus around issues of inclusion, equity, race and social justice in 2020. The network launched “8:46,” a campaign that featured personal stories and messages spread out across eight minutes and 46 seconds from some of CBS Sports’ Black voices, including James Brown, Nate Burleson, Swin Cash, Charles Davis, Brian Jones, Clark Kellogg, Lisa Leslie and Brandon Marshall. The special campaign was created to help advance the conversation and create substantive change in the fight against racial injustice. On Sept. 6, the campaign presented “Portraits in Black,” a day of programming highlighting CBS Sports stories past and present that dealt with Black athletes’ history and struggles in sports. The lineup featured: “Forward Progress: The Integration of SEC Football,” “The Black 14: Wyoming Football 1969,” “Althea & Arthur,” “CBS Sports Connected: The American Dream,” and “CBS Sports Connected: What it Means to Be Me.”

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, also has diversity and inclusion as one of its long-standing people and programming tenets. This commitment shows up on screen in various content formats, including features and documentaries like “The Black 14: Wyoming Football 1969″ and “Rising Stars: The Story of Muslim Girls Basketball.” “Rising Stars” aired as part of the long-running series “We Need to Talk,” the first-ever nationally televised all-female sports show. Newly launched is “Celebrating Black Stories,” a series that has members of the Black Steering Committee leading the production team.

MTV Entertainment Group (Formerly Entertainment & Youth Group)

With its global reach and history as a definer of culture, MTV and brands within the MTV Entertainment Group (MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, Smithsonian Channel, Pop TV, CMT, VH1, TV Land, Logo and their respective content studios) have been advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice through both cutting-edge content and campaigns. The Group took another big step toward creating a more inclusive creative community when it announced in November 2020 the launch of Culture Code, a comprehensive D&I orientation for its entire creative community, including staff, talent and production partners, in partnership with The Museum of Tolerance, Color of Change, GLAAD, Anti-Defamation League, The Jed Foundation, MPAC, RAINN, RespectAbility and Storyline Partners. The Culture Code, according to MTV Entertainment Group President Chris McCarthy, will “create a communal set of values, respect and mutual understanding that centers around the celebration of inclusion and diversity in everything we do.”

MTV Entertainment Group announced in September 2020 the First Time Directors Program, which will provide opportunities for first-time BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) filmmakers and women filmmakers to give rise to multicultural narratives and voices – both in front of and behind the camera – that resonate with audiences around the world. The program anticipates delivering 50 films across Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central and the MTV Entertainment Group portfolio and was launched with several high-profile executive producer deals including Angela Bassett, Idris Elba, Salma Hayek, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria and Courtney B. Vance and their respective production companies. In December 2020, the MTV Group committed $250 million over three years to support women and BIPOC filmmakers to create diverse unscripted content.

Nickelodeon

The Nick programs are among the best in the business and offer underrepresented creators with unique voices opportunities to develop their skills, get professional development and launch careers. A spot in the Nick Writing Program gives participants exposure to seasoned writers and executives and a chance to embark on a career as a writer for Nickelodeon’s scripted live-action and animated television productions. Similarly, the Nick Artist Program offers aspiring artists from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to hone their skills while working on our animated television shows in three tracks: storyboard, general and computer graphics generalist.

 

Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Noggin have a long track record of nurturing and bringing to the screen programs that celebrate diversity and inclusion, such as “Dora the Explorer,” a global phenomenon that has crossed social, racial and language boundaries and has a following of millions of children around the world. These networks are continuing this tradition with “Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan,” “The Casagrandes” “Santiago of the Seas” and the revival of “All That.”

Paramount Pictures

Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos co-headed an Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences task force that developed new criteria and inclusion standards for films eligible to be considered for Best Picture. Beginning in 2024, prospective Best Picture nominees will need to meet specific requirements pertaining to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability, in front of and behind the camera, in order to qualify for nomination. Previously, Paramount joined with the Motion Picture Association to express support for the British Film Institute’s D&I Standards & Guidelines in storytelling.

Internally, Paramount partnered with the Office of Global Inclusion to launch the SUMMIT Committee, a group of diverse colleagues from multiple areas of our business who contribute their insights and perspectives on films and TV shows under consideration, to ensure that our content embodies the rich diversity of our audiences. As part of the company-wide Content Creation Council, the studio reconfigured its development and greenlight process to mandate that all productions complete a detailed plan to enhance access and opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. Additionally, in June 2020, the division’s Domestic Marketing, International Marketing, and Distribution teams launched “Project Action” to advance diversity and inclusion in all aspects of marketing and distribution. Project Action includes a Diversity & Representation Creative Review process for marketing campaigns.

SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME content has consistently told stories about diverse communities for over two decades. Beginning with groundbreaking and beloved series like “Soul Food,” “Queer as Folk” and “The L Word,” the brand’s dedication to inclusive content continues today with late night talk show “Desus & Mero,” Lena Waithe’s “The Chi,” LGBTQ+ comedy series “Work in Progress” and the limited series “The Good Lord Bird,” starring Ethan Hawke and based on the novel by James McBride. In addition to programming, SHOWTIME has also recently formed a Diversity & Inclusion Council. Comprised of an annually rotating group of employees, the council works to develop policies and practices that foster a more inclusive environment and allow SHOWTIME to better serve its audience – addressing everything from hiring and advancement to creating a culture that helps build and retain a diverse and high-performing workforce. SHOWTIME has also organized a Multicultural Unit, an employee team of cultural advisors across various disciplines who support SHOWTIME programming with authentic engagement that elevates the brand’s cultural connection among diverse audiences and content creators.

Simon & Schuster

Since championing earlier works like Ntozake Shange’s groundbreaking, Broadway-produced and Obie Award-winning drama “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf” (1977) and “Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63” (1988), Taylor Branch’s Pulitzer Prize-winning three-volume history of the civil rights movement, Simon & Schuster has sought to ensure its books and its audiences fully reflect our diverse society. That commitment across Simon & Schuster imprints continues with recent works, such as Saeed Jones’ “How We Fight for Our Lives,” winner of Best Gay Memoir/Biography at the 2020 Lammy Awards for LGBTQ+ books; “Genesis Begins Again,” Alicia D. Williams’ debut novel that won both the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author) in 2020; and Kiese Laymon’s “Heavy,” which won the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction in 2019.

The publishing house also makes sure that its employee base reflects its readership and our larger society. Notably, in July 2020, Dana Canedy was named publisher of the Simon & Schuster imprint, becoming the first Black publisher in the company’s history. In November 2020, the imprint announced that the former executive editor of the Miami Herald Mindy Marqués would join the team as vice president and executive editor. In addition, Amanda Armstrong-Frank was appointed the first director of workplace culture and diversity initiatives, and Sienna Farris was named vice president, director of multicultural marketing.

ViacomCBS Networks International

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) launched its “No Diversity, No Commission” content policy across the company’s international properties, effective October 2020. The policy, which started at ViacomCBS Networks U.K. in July, is designed to promote and increase diversity on screen and in all roles behind the scenes. Among other changes, the policy requires that production companies meet prescribed diversity and inclusion guidelines prior to getting a final sign-off from VCNI. The policy also includes “New Faces, New Voices,” a search for diverse contributors that aims to boost on-screen representation, and the “Promotion Opportunity Project,” created to identify and support the promotion of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) talent in the U.K. production sector.

VCNI’s announcement that Jodie Turner-Smith was tapped to play the role of Anne Boleyn in Channel 5’s three-part drama series is an example of its commitment in action. The group’s initiatives to nurture diverse talent will also champion a number of mid-level freelancers and aid their career progression. This ties in well with the new Diverse Panel Pledge, which mandates that executives only accept speaking engagements where diverse voices are represented. Additionally, across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, 30% of VCNI’s 2021 budget will focus on elevating stories about underrepresented groups and issues. In Latin America, 25% of VCNI Studios’ budget will be dedicated to the education and development of projects by BIPOC creators.

dede lea dede lea

"We serve diverse audiences, which, to us, goes beyond entertaining or informing viewers. It means advocating for our communities, using ViacomCBS content and platforms to spur productive dialogue and inspire change. It’s also why we’re focused on furthering our partnerships with policymakers, governments and civil society organizations around the world. By working together, we have the best chance to advance on issues of racial justice, public health, civic engagement and other critical causes."

DeDe Lea

EVP, Global Public Policy and Government Relations

OUR HISTORY OF INCLUSIVE CONTENT
We are passionate about creating content and experiences that connect with and celebrate our audiences in more than 180 countries and 45 languages.

This commitment has shaped a long history and rich tradition of influential consumer brands. ViacomCBS founded LOGO, the first ad-supported cable channel inspired by the LGBTQ+ community, and operates BET, the oldest and most prominent cable network devoted to Black culture. Since our merger, the company’s expanded list of brands has allowed unique collaborations across various segments, such as the historic, first-ever simulcasting of the 2020 BET Awards on CBS.

brian robbins brian robbins

"ViacomCBS was a pioneer in proving the value of underrepresented audiences. When you show diversity on-screen with stories that truly reflect the range of experiences in the world, you’re able to build relationships with fans across generational and demographic boundaries. That’s not only good business, but it’s the right thing to do."

Brian Robbins

President, Kids & Family Entertainment, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks


STRENGTHENING OUR CULTURE
The creativity and passion of our diverse workforce fuels our company, and it is our goal to create a culture where all employees can do their best work.

To that end, we are committed to diversity and inclusion throughout the employee lifecycle: during recruitment, in development and advancement, and throughout the employee’s tenure, enhanced by unique programs that promote belonging and enrich our shared values. Inclusion enables us to think entrepreneurially, remain resilient in change, and move quickly to anticipate and create what’s next.


Christa A. D’Alimonte Christa A. D’Alimonte

"Our differences make us stronger, which is why we’re focused on continuing to expand a diverse workforce in the ViacomCBS Law Department and across our entire company. It starts with us championing a strong culture of inclusion that supports employees in bringing their authentic selves to work. That’s how we’ll continue to attract, develop and retain the talented people who will drive our company forward."

Christa A. D’Alimonte

EVP, General Counsel and Secretary

PEOPLE & PROGRAMS
Our Workforce Demographics

It is critical that we measure and evaluate our progress as we strive for continuous improvement. One way we can see how far we’ve come and where we can improve is to examine the racial and gender composition of our employee population. A review of our numbers shows that there is progress in some areas but we cannot rest on any of our accomplishments. Instead, we need to make inclusion a factor in all our actions and ensure its presence at all levels of our workforce.


Gender

We are one of only a handful of companies with female-majority corporate boards in the Russell 3000 Index, which measures the performance of the 3,000 largest publicly held companies in America. We are also near the top of the list of S&P 500 Index companies with the highest percentage of female board members. While we are among the leaders at these high levels of management, we are conscious of how we need to mirror these accomplishments across the company so that we are always first-choice place for work for prospective employees of any gender.

Gender Senior Leadership

We also strive for more parity in gender representation at the senior leadership levels (vice presidents and above) across our global organization, and we continue to review programs and protocols designed to advance this effort. Our board has set an example, so it is important that the way we operate allows for women to ascend to senior leadership roles with a frequency similar to men. This means holding leaders accountable for a gender-inclusive environment at our leadership levels.


Race/Ethnicity

ViacomCBS has been proactive in identifying areas of opportunity across our global regions, and we have reviewed our pipeline for hiring, promotion, retention and succession planning through a diversity and inclusion lens. Our employee demographics indicate there is a need for a more intentional focus, particularly at the vice president and other senior levels. We are committed to a more rigorous recruiting and succession planning process, to ensure that our organization reflects the audience we serve.

  • ViacomCBS. Data collected as of July 31, 2020. Worldwide employees: 22,496; Domestic employees: 16,612. At this time, this analysis was of staff employees only and did not include other classifications such as independent contractors or project-based employees.

  • Ethnicity is only tracked domestically in the U.S. due to regional variations in the definitions of ethnic diversity.

  • Senior leadership is defined as those with VP titles and above, which represents 10.7% of the global workforce and 12.9% of the domestic workforce.


Recruitment Strategy

To ensure that our global workforce mirrors the diversity of the audiences we serve, we established a path toward next practices in diverse talent recruiting, retention and advancement. ViacomCBS’ recruitment strategy provides a framework to ensure we are hiring the most qualified people across all demographics backed by the principles of respect and inclusion.

 

PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT

  • Engage diverse talent through a wide range of curated events and programs
  • Conduct full searches for open executive positions inclusive of diverse internal and external candidates

NEUTRALIZE BIAS

  • Apply consistent decision-making framework to fairly screen, interview, evaluate and select candidates.

SET TONE AT THE TOP

  • Hold leadership accountable through robust reporting and analytics.

Global Inclusion Advisory Committee (GIAC)

ViacomCBS’ Global Inclusion Advisory Committee (GIAC) is a cross-functional, internal council, co-chaired by the CEO and Global Head of Inclusion. It is comprised of senior executive leaders across the enterprise and meets quarterly to discuss key DEI issues and business initiatives.

 

B871EE66-5E04-4262-AEC6-29CB86971C00 Find out more

George Cheeks George Cheeks

"As one of the biggest and most influential buyers and distributors of content, CBS has the responsibility and unique position to use our platform to effectuate real and lasting change. In the past few months, we’ve introduced new initiatives toward better representation behind the scenes and our portrayals on air. These commitments span our writers’ rooms, our newsrooms and our scripted and unscripted content, as well as our live sports coverage. It’s a good start and an important step forward, but there’s still work to be done. We look forward to meeting this challenge."

George Cheeks

President & CEO, CBS Entertainment Group


Global Inclusion Advisory Committee (GIAC)

ViacomCBS’ Global Inclusion Advisory Committee (GIAC) is a cross-functional, internal council, co-chaired by the CEO and Global Head of Inclusion. It is comprised of senior executive leaders across the enterprise and meets quarterly to discuss key DEI issues and business initiatives.

B871EE66-5E04-4262-AEC6-29CB86971C00 Find out more about the GIAC members
Key Cultural Initiatives
ViacomCBS offers a range of programs, many of them led by employees, that support our diverse employee base and further ingrain inclusion in our culture. Some of these initiatives are housed within brands, and others are across the company. Among the company-wide initiatives are various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and our highly anticipated annual Global Inclusion Week. Our company calendar also reflects our celebration of numerous heritage months, including Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month and Pride Month.

Annual Global Inclusion Week

Sponsored and produced by the Office of Global Inclusion, Inclusion Week is a multi-day event of informative, immersive and interactive sessions featuring external and internal speakers, designed to spark thoughtful dialogue on diversity, inclusion and belonging. The event, which leverages the combined talents of ERG members, started in 2018 in the U.K. and expanded to the U.S. and across our international offices in 2019. In 2020 the celebration was held across our merged company for the first time. Employees participated virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


Naveen Chopra Naveen Chopra

"As one of the largest content companies in the world, not only do we have the opportunity to make a difference with our words and actions, but we also have the responsibility to do so. This means having honest conversations about the diversity of our teams, making corporate and financial commitments to improve representation in our programming and productions, using our platforms to raise awareness of the issues that matter to underrepresented communities and staying accountable on our collective journey to drive change and create a more equitable world—both inside and outside our organization."

Naveen Chopra

EVP, Chief Financial Officer


EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS
Embodying the spirit of diversity and inclusion, our global Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) provide a forum for employees to flourish personally and professionally while offering direct business support to all our brands. More than 50% of our workforce are members of these employee-led groups.
ERGs
AMP

AMP (Asian American & Pacific Islander Media Professionals) ERG focuses on the AAPI experience through professional and personal development opportunities, cultural activities, networking events, and community projects.

BEAT+

BEAT+ (Black Employees Achieving Together) ERG focuses on advocating for and enhancing the experience of its Black employees. It aims to celebrate a culture of inclusion by cultivating and developing leaders, being a talent incubator and partnering with allies to create a community that showcases ViacomCBS as a workplace of choice that champions diversity.

Fusion

Fusion ERG champions cultural diversity and representation in the workplace by providing a diverse lens for employees and business divisions through cultural events, safe spaces, and community projects.

ParentHood

ParentHood ERG provides a flexible support network, open dialogue, practical tools and resources, and educational events to empower parents and caregivers in creating a healthy work-life experience while amplifying their professional excellence.

Proud

Proud ERG enriches the professional and personal development of LGBTQ+ employees and allies, champions community, key causes and an inclusive culture, all while serving as an LGBTQ+ resource for the company.

Rise

Rise ERG creates an inclusive global community that activates, connects, and develops early-to-mid career employees and allies.

Somos

Somos ERG promotes belonging through community engagement, leadership development and organizational initiatives to increase the representation of Latinx and Hispanic employees.

Women+

Women+ ERG is a community rooted in mentorship, education, programming and philanthropic endeavors, and provides the steppingstones to achieve higher personal and professional business goals for women and allies.


sean mcmanus sean mcmanus

"Sports have always had the ability to unite and bring people together, even in the most difficult of times. At CBS Sports, we are proud to share ViacomCBS’ strong belief that diversity and inclusion is integral to creating meaningful change and opportunities for all of our employees. That change starts with having substantive conversations with our employees. We need to listen, learn and understand the various perspectives and experiences of our colleagues in order to make a significant impact and enact change. Creating a united workplace where everyone feels included and heard and is afforded equal opportunities is our biggest priority."

Sean McManus

Chairman, CBS Sports


COLLABORATING WITH OUR PARTNERS
From content to causes, from employee development to diversifying our suppliers, we recognize the importance of partnering with organizations and content creators around the globe. We have a history of working with organizations and people who share our commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.

Our list of partners grows every year, and in 2020 we added important and impactful social justice and anti-racist organizations such as Color of Change, inked an agreement with 21CP Solutions for consultation services for our teams writing crime, police and legal drama series, and announced stronger ties with the NAACP via a major content partnership. And as businesses suffered from the economic effects of COVID-19, Showtime rolled out “Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative,” a partnership with the Human Rights Campaign to support minority-focused LGBTQ+ businesses and community spaces.

In November 2020, MTV Entertainment Group launched Culture Code, a comprehensive orientation for its entire creative community, including staff, talent and production partners, that will create a communal set of values, understanding and cultural norms celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion across the Group’s brands. The Group will also work in conjunction with Color of Change as well as eight other social justice organizations: The Museum of ToleranceGLAADAnti-Defamation LeagueThe Jed FoundationMPACRAINNStoryline Partners and the disability advocacy group RespectAbility. In 2019 ViacomCBS was the first entertainment company to sign the Ruderman Family Foundation Pledge to audition actors with disabilities for each new production picked up to series.

We also ensure that we have diverse business partners through our Sales and Distribution operations, and we are proud to provide platforms to showcase the work of diverse creative partners like Niki Lopez, Leslie Valdes and Valerie Walsh Valdes, Will Packer, Lena Waithe, Tracy Oliver and Tyler Perry, the prolific filmmaker with whom we have a long-term relationship.

Our commitment to equity shows up globally, and we were pleased to have signed on to Business in the Community Race at Work Charter, Disability Confident, and Audeliss and INvolve’s open letter regarding Black Lives Matter in the U.K. In November, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan to further its multipronged commitment toward reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples, including in the media. In the U.S., we work with organizations that are changemakers like the Association of National Advertisers, particularly with its SeeHer campaign to accurately portray women and girls in marketing, advertising, media and entertainment. We also support organizations of varying focus, such as Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, GLAADNAMIC, and the T. Howard Foundation, as well as journalistic partners including the National Association of Black Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association, and the Native American Journalists Association.


ViacomCBS Veterans Network

The ViacomCBS Veterans Network offers veteran, National Guard, and Reserve employees a forum for connecting, networking, and personal and professional development. It also provides a much-needed community and support for veterans and their family members. In addition, the ViacomCBS Veterans Network makes sure that we never forget our obligation to the more than 20 million living veterans in the United States, especially the nearly 2.6 million who nobly answered the call of service after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

B871EE66-5E04-4262-AEC6-29CB86971C00 Learn more

Our Commitment to Supplier Diversity

The totality of our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity covers not just what we present on screen and behind the scenes, but also extends to the providers of the goods and services we use to make our great content, and even to the companies they contract with. From craft and security services to transportation, from makeup artistry and stunt work, to extras and electronic equipment, and every other aspect of our creative cycle, ViacomCBS is committed to ensuring that diverse suppliers, including businesses owned by minorities, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, and peoples with disabilities are considered to compete for contract opportunities within our supply chain. Our outreach efforts include active participation in conferences and events that provide direct access to diverse vendors that can service our audiences around the globe. For more detailed information, please visit the Supplier Diversity website or contact the Supplier Diversity team at supplierdiversity@viacom.com.

B871EE66-5E04-4262-AEC6-29CB86971C00 Supplier Diversity website