TAKING ACTION - ViacomCBS
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ESG
REPORT
2020-2021
TAKING
ACTION
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3 WORKFORCE & CULTURE 32
About This Report 4 A Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 34
Bob Bakish: Sharpening Our ESG Focus 5 Preventing Harassment and Discrimination 39
About ViacomCBS 6 Health, Safety, and Security 42
Our Approach to ESG 7 Labor Relations 44
Our Goals 9
Meeting the Ongoing Challenge of COVID-19 10
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS 45
GOVERNANCE 12 Climate Change 47
Corporate Governance 13 Sustainable Production 53
ESG Governance 15 Supply Chain Responsibility 56
Data Privacy and Information Security 16 Consumer Products 59
Public Policy Engagement 17
REPORTING INDICES 61
ON-SCREEN CONTENT Global Reporting Initiative Index 62
& SOCIAL IMPACT 18 Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Index 70
Diverse and Inclusive Content 20 Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures Index 73
Responsible Content and Advertising 26 Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 74
COVER IMAGES
Driving Social Impact Through Our Content and Brands 28
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT):
CBS television show: The Equalizer;
CBS television show: Good Sam crew
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
2
INTRODUCTION
2020-2021 challenged our world and our company
in unprecedented ways. In response, we leveraged
the power of our content to reflect and help
ground our individual and collective experiences,
and to inspire us all to fight for a better world.
IMAGES (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT):
CBS television show: Secret Celebrity Renovation;
SHOWTIME television show: Ziwe
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
3
About This Report
GRI: 102-21, 102-46, 103-1
The challenges we faced were also a
key test of our wider Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy.
Because we’ve made key commitments
as a company, we were prepared to This report focuses on our evolving ESG strategy and progress in
2020 with highlights and key activities from the first half of 2021,
adapt in the face of crisis. where noted. We report annually in alignment with the industry
standard of alternating between comprehensive reports and
abridged updates. This is our second ESG report and is an abridged
update to our 2019-2020 ESG report, which we published in
December 2020.
As we move forward, we are
We used external reporting frameworks and guidance to influence
further sharpening our focus and the development of this report, including the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI) Standards, the Sustainability Accounting Standards
activating our ESG strategy across Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial
Disclosures (TCFD). The GRI, SASB, and TCFD indices are at the
end of the report.
ViacomCBS so we can continue
For complementary information on our corporate commitments
to meet the challenges and and impacts, please see our 2020 Social Impact Review and
our annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Report.
opportunities that lie ahead. IMAGES (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM):
CBS This Morning television show; We take seriously the views of all our stakeholders and
CBS television show: Good Sam crew actively seek their input. For any feedback or questions,
please contact Jessica Thurston, Senior Director, ESG Strategy,
at sustainability@viacomcbs.com.
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
4
2020-2021 was uniquely challenging. We have been facing one of the worst global
Bob Bakish:
health crises in a generation and were forced to begin reckoning with the longstanding
pain of systemic racism and social injustice that continue to impact our communities
each day. These events have galvanized our society to a higher level of action. And,
as a media company that reaches billions of people daily, we recognize the power and
Sharpening
responsibility of our role in shaping this action and driving change forward.
Over the last year, our people have come together in new ways and with reaffirmed
purpose to make a difference. Through our commitment to ESG, we’ve made important
Our ESG
progress on the key pillars we defined in our first report last year – On-Screen Content
& Social Impact, Workforce & Culture and Sustainable Production & Operations –
to drive change for our employees, audiences, communities, partners and investors
Focus
around the world.
In this 2020-2021 ESG Report, we lay out overarching goals for our ESG pillars to help
us sharpen our focus and strengthen ESG management across ViacomCBS. As we work
toward these goals, we will continue to openly track and report on our progress –
GRI: 102-14 to ensure we remain accountable to our stakeholders on this journey.
Our Board of Directors, my senior leadership team and I are deeply committed to
this work. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of what our company can do.
We will continue to share our progress – and challenges – along the way.
Best,
“ In this 2020-2021 ESG Report, we lay out overarching
goals for our ESG pillars to help us sharpen our focus
Bob Bakish
President and CEO, ViacomCBS
and strengthen ESG management across ViacomCBS.”
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
5
About ViacomCBS S
S
TR
DIO
EA
GRI: 102-2, 102-4, 102-6, 102-7, 102-16, 102-45; SASB: TC-IM-000.A
STU
MIN
G
ViacomCBS delivers premium content to audiences UNLEASHING
across traditional and emerging platforms world-wide. Studios THE POWER Streaming
Supplying global film, OF CONTENT Giving audiences
TV, and digital content the broadcast video
for our own platforms experience —
Through our studios, networks, and for partners. both free and pay —
N E T W O R KS
#1
streaming, and more, we connect spanning news,
with billions of people. We are sports, entertainment,
powered by the most diverse local, and live content.
portfolio of brands, content,
in key U.S. target and audiences in our industry.
demographics,
The content we produce and Networks
including total
distribute provides value to Delivering the #1
audience, kids, adults,
audiences as entertainment; share in every demo
and diverse audience timely news and information; and across broadcast
(African Americans, storytelling about issues, topics, and cable in the
Hispanics,1 or other) and characters that are of interest U.S., and with strong
and importance to them. We positions in Latin
earn revenue from advertising, America, Europe,
affiliates (i.e., cable providers, and Asia.
over-the-top partners, or other
platforms that pay fees to carry
our content), subscriptions to our
own streaming platforms (such as
Paramount+), and licensing.
1 Nielsen Media Research; Q1 2021 Live+7 Share of Viewing.
Excludes Spanish-language networks. “Adults” refers to
pp. 18-49 and pp. 25-54.
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
6
Our Values Our Approach to ESG
OPTIMISM & GRI: 102-15, 103-1, 103-2, 103-3
DETERMINATION
We share a positive belief that The media and Our ESG strategy is centered on It includes topics like workforce We have also deepened our
we can navigate and thrive in the understanding and responding to diversity and inclusion, employee investment in key initiatives that
landscape ahead. entertainment industry our biggest impacts. That means safety and security, and labor underscore our ESG commitments
evaluating the associated risks relations. Sustainable Production across our business. For example,
plays a powerful role and opportunities, as well as the & Operations covers how we through Content for Change,
INCLUSIVITY & responsibility to take action. This address the environmental and a social justice initiative first
COLLABORATION in shaping culture and approach allows us to better social impacts of our operations launched in June 2020 by BET, we
serve our partners, audiences, and facilities, film and television are developing a comprehensive
We embrace new and diverse conversations, and we employees, and shareholders productions, and other activities. approach to supporting the
voices, act with care, and work
— and augment our business It includes managing our creation, distribution, marketing,
together to capture opportunities are serious about the success. We organize our ESG environmental footprint and and promotion of content aimed
and manage through challenges.
work into three pillars: On-Screen ensuring our suppliers and partners at issues like working towards
responsibilities this Content & Social Impact (how we meet the standards we set. ending systemic racism in America.
AGILITY & position brings. show up), Workforce & Culture Content for Change harnesses
(who we are), and Sustainable In 2020, we continued our post- what we do best — create and
ADAPTABILITY Production & Operations (how we merger integration, including deliver content — to positively
We think entrepreneurially, are do what we do). strengthening ESG management and powerfully portray and impact
resilient in change, and move and reporting systems across the our communities, further inclusion
quickly to anticipate and create On-Screen Content & Social Impact combined company. As part of and understanding, and diversify
what’s next. encompasses the opportunities this work, we have made our representation in entertainment.
and responsibilities we have – to ESG governance structure more We are working to integrate
represent, inform, and influence robust, including building out our this initiative across our brands.
through our content and brands. ESG Council. We’ve expanded our diversity
It includes topics such as diverse and representation goals for both
and inclusive content, content With this report, we are excited
management and creative roles
21,573 31.7
accuracy and independence, to launch our first company-wide
throughout the company. And we
and responsible advertising. ESG goals – with associated
are centralizing and scaling up
Workforce & Culture is about our metrics and targets – for each of
our sustainable production efforts
efforts to recruit and retain the our three strategic pillars. These
across our ecosystem.
full-time employees billion hours of ViacomCBS best employees, treat contractors goals will help us to further sharpen
in 36 countries as of content consumed globally,2 and partners well, and ensure our focus and drive progress on
July 31, 2021 watched in 184 countries in everyone feels welcome and safe. what matters most.
45 languages
2 Includes our share of CW (50%) and V18/Colors (49%) joint
ventures; includes only ViacomCBS content on Pluto. Data
as of Q1 2021 (ending March 2021).
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
7
Our
Material Governance Workforce & Culture
Topics On-Screen Content & Social Impact Sustainable Production & Operations
GRI: 102-15, 102-46, 102-47, 103-1
ESG governance Diverse & inclusive content
Greater
We completed a materiality Transparency & reporting Content accuracy & independence
assessment in 2020 and continue Business model disruption
to use its results to guide our ESG IP & copyright
strategy. It drew on insights from Workforce diversity & inclusion
internal and external stakeholders, Harassment & discrimination
a review of major reporting and
Employee safety & security
evaluation frameworks, peer
Culture & transformation
Importance to stakeholders
benchmarking, and extensive
tracking of stakeholders’ positions Data privacy & information security
on key issues. Our Board of
Directors, senior leadership Labor & worker issues
team, and other key ESG leaders Stakeholder engagement & environmental issues
across the company reviewed and Supply chain responsibility Responsible advertising
validated the assessment. & product impacts Social impact
Environment impacts from direct
For more details, including Corporate governance
operations
definitions of key topics, see
Compliance & ethical conduct
our more extensive standalone
Materiality Assessment Report,
which we published in August 2020.
Public policy engagement Supplier diversity
Great
Impact on ViacomCBS’s business
Great Greater
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
8
Our On-Screen Workforce Sustainable
Goals Content & & Culture Production
Our goals define our Social Impact We are molding a culture anchored in our core
values that centers diversity and inclusion. One & Operations
that keeps employees safe, feeling engaged
focus and ambition. We are harnessing what we do best — create and and like they belong, and retains and attracts We are working to mitigate our impacts on
deliver content — to positively and powerfully the best talent. This work extends to the climate change by assessing and managing
TCFD: Metrics & Targets portray and impact our communities, further teams creating our content and builds on our our environmental impacts across our facilities,
inclusion and understanding, and diversify commitment to providing equal opportunities productions, travel, and supply chain.
representation in entertainment. That means for access and advancement across our content
In 2021, we developed the first set responsibly managing our content and advertising creation lifecycle.
of overarching goals for each of and using our platforms – including our work in 1 Pilot a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
our three ESG pillars. These goals our communities – for good. initiative in the UK, publishing our plan
will help us to sharpen our focus for how to do so by end of 2021
1 Diversity and Representation:
and hold ourselves accountable as
we continue to formalize our efforts Apply research and rigor to understand best • By the end of 2021, achieve a global
1 2 Assess what it would take for ViacomCBS
across ViacomCBS. We’ve also set practices of representation and portrayals external hire and internal promotion
to reach net zero greenhouse gas
complementary goals and targets along five topic areas aligned with our rate of 55% for female SVPs and
emissions across our global value chain
within many of our individual Content for Change program by 2023 above, and a U.S. external hire and
brands and divisions, several of internal promotion rate of 40% for
which are highlighted throughout Provide training to productions on the ethnically diverse VPs and above
2
this report. MTV Entertainment (MTVE) Group Culture • Share an update to achieve longer-
Orientation, beginning with 100% of MTVE term targets by the end of 2022
productions by the end of 2022
2 Engagement and Inclusion:
Improve organizational engagement from
74% to 81% favorable by 2025
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
9
Meeting the Ongoing
Challenge of COVID-19 Operating Safely
and Effectively
Our ongoing response focuses on operating safely, At the start of the pandemic, those published by the Alliance
we halted nearly all TV and film of Motion Picture and Television
providing reliable information, and continuing to productions. Those productions Producers (AMPTP).
that continued, such as our
support those in need. news programming, underwent Our internal COVID-19 Task
significant changes. In mid-2020, Force has convened regularly
we began working closely with throughout the crisis, supporting
our employees, talent, industry all our brands with establishing
When the COVID-19 crisis first partners, and public health and maintaining safety protocols.
unfolded in 2020, we acted authorities to create robust This support includes partnering
quickly to protect our people strategies and plans for safely with our global sourcing team to
and communities. This included reopening our facilities and ensure productions have all the
pausing or significantly modifying resuming the majority of our resources they need.
our productions, shifting to remote in-person production work.
We’ve also launched a
work, setting up new employee
We created a rigorous, centralized company-wide effort to facilitate
assistance programs, and using
process for reviewing and vaccinations for our employees
our content and brands to support
approving production plans and and their families. We supported
viewers through challenging times.
implementing strict protocols staff in accessing vaccinations
Since then, we’ve witnessed including health screenings and through other sources, established
the extraordinary resilience of COVID testing, masking, social vaccination sites at our own
individuals and communities – not distancing, and assignment facilities – such as the CBS
only in coping with unprecedented the safety of our productions of specially trained COVID Broadcast Center in New York City
disruption and loss, but in and other operations, raising Compliance Supervisors to most – and facilitated dialogues with
mobilizing to protect one another, awareness about evolving safety productions. We also consult with medical experts to answer real-
keep essential services running, protocols and vaccinations, external advisors and contribute to time questions and concerns
and work to bring the pandemic and continuing to support industry-wide dialogue and safety from employees.
under control. As the crisis organizations providing crucial recommendations, including
continues in its second year, our assistance to those in need.
response is focused on ensuring
IMAGES (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM):
CBS television show: B Positive;
CBS television show: S.W.A.T.
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
10Promoting Safe Practices
and Recovery Efforts
We’ve leveraged our platforms to help spread up-to-date information and health guidance throughout the pandemic.
This work has included comprehensive coverage by CBS News, public service announcements (PSAs), special
segments on popular shows, and influential campaigns by our brands. As the pandemic enters its second year, we’ve
shifted our focus to promoting vaccination and encouraging viewers and their communities to follow best practices.
#AloneTogether & MTV Shuga and
#BacktoSchoolTogether #AloneTogether
Throughout 2020, we worked related campaigns through CBS Building on the past success of
with the Ad Council on the Sports called #InThisTogether MTV Shuga in improving sexual
#AloneTogether campaign, a
series of over 174,000 linear TV
and #StayHomeStayStrong. We
generated over two billion social
and reproductive health outcomes,
the MTV Staying Alive Foundation Supporting Those in Need
spots plus organic and paid social impressions on this work and created the educational
media posts featuring talent from are happy it reached audiences entertainment mini-series MTV The COVID-19 pandemic has through third parties such as the • SHOWTIME built on its long-
across our brands and platforms far and wide. Shuga: Alone Together. In 70 brought economic hardship and Screen Actors Guild – American term partnership with the
to drive awareness about the short episodes released daily on emotional trauma to millions, with Federation of Television and Radio Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
importance of social distancing, We worked again with the YouTube, Alone Together aimed to the most vulnerable among us Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Disaster to create Queer to Stay: An
while spreading the message that Ad Council to launch the disseminate timely and accurate bearing the worst effects. Since Relief Fund, the Motion Picture LGBTQ+ Business Preservation
we are all in this together. We #BacktoSchoolTogether information to increase young the crisis began, we’ve made & Television Fund’s Emergency Initiative, which made donations
supplemented these efforts with campaign, which targeted college people’s knowledge, motivation, it a priority to provide support Relief Fund, and The Actors to support LGBTQ+ businesses
students returning to campuses and actions to prevent COVID-19. – including helping increase Fund’s Entertainment Assistance affected by the pandemic.
after extended lockdowns. The A follow-up evaluation by the access to food, healthcare, and Program. In 2021, we used some
digital-first campaign included a Foundation and researchers at other essential services – for of these funds to support the Ad • Paramount Pictures supported
series of spots, a media toolkit, The London School of Hygiene communities in need. Council and its vaccine campaign. the Los Angeles Fire
and creative assets that sought & Tropical Medicine found that Department Foundation efforts
to communicate how to stay safe, young people exposed to the In March 2020, ViacomCBS We’ve also leveraged our to close gaps in COVID vaccine
dispel myths and misinformation, series believed that COVID-19 committed $100 million to help programming platforms to support accessibility for Los Angeles’
and promote actions that students was serious, identified and provide support to those in our organizations that are helping underserved communities,
could take to slow the spread disapproved of misinformation, and industry affected by COVID-19, individuals and communities providing funding to establish
of COVID-19. encouraged online peers to follow especially staff and crew who survive and recover from the three new vaccination sites
public health measures. lost wages when TV and film pandemic. In addition to the and increase resources for
IMAGES (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT): productions were shut down COVID-19 relief efforts we the department’s mobile
MTV television show: Shuga, #AloneTogether; or disrupted. We administered highlighted in last year’s report, vaccination units.
CBS television show: The Equalizer these funds both directly and in 2020 and 2021:
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
11GOVERNANCE
GRI:419-1
ViacomCBS delivers premium content to audiences
across platforms worldwide. We connect with billions
of people—through our studios, networks, streaming IMAGE:
CBS News
services, live events, merchandise, and more. Our
studios create content for all audiences, across every
genre and format, while our networks and brands Our business is complex, encompassing an incredibly
forge deep connections with the world’s most diverse diverse portfolio of brands, content, and audiences.
audiences. We work to earn and maintain the trust In order to operate ethically and responsibly, we rely
that our audiences and other stakeholders place in us on – and continue to strengthen – robust governance,
by committing to uphold high ethical standards and compliance and ethics, data privacy, and public policy
sustainable business practices. engagement standards across our company globally.
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
12Corporate
Board of Directors Independence Director since
More than
Shari E. Redstone (Non-Executive Chair) No 1994
Governance 50%
of Board members
Candace K. Beinecke
Barbara M. Byrne
Linda M. Griego
Yes
Yes
Yes
2018
2018
2007
are women Judith A. McHale Yes 2019
GRI: 102-5, 102-18, 102-19, 102-22, 102-26, 405-1; TCFD: Risk Management Susan Schuman Yes 2018
Nicole Seligman Yes 2019
Over Robert M. Bakish No 2019
The Board of Directors monitors significant developments in the
35%
Robert N. Klieger No 2017
law and practice of corporate governance, and develops and makes Ronald L. Nelson Yes 2019
Charles E. Phillips, Jr. Yes 2019
recommendations with respect to our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
of senior leadership Frederick O. Terrell Yes 2018
Some of our most material topics are related to corporate governance. are women
* Board of Directors as of October 18, 2021
Corporate governance itself in the law and practice of the annual ViacomCBS risk
is of high importance to both corporate governance. assessment and internal audit
stakeholders and our business, processes. She supports the
as are compliance and ethical The Executive Vice President, Audit Committee with their
conduct, and transparency and Chief Compliance Officer leads responsibilities for overseeing our
the ViacomCBS global compliance
external reporting.
team, which publishes the
financial statements and related
disclosures, and oversight of our
Our Board and Company Ownership
Two committees of the Board ViacomCBS Global Business internal audit function. Our Board is composed of a non- screens in South America. As of Stock owners do not have voting
are particularly relevant to ESG: Conduct Statement (BCS), executive chair, the company’s June 30, 2021, NAI directly or rights. Our Mandatory Convertible
Audit, and Nominating and oversees employee training, Our major governance policies CEO, and 10 other directors, indirectly owned approximately Preferred Stock owners do not
Governance. The Audit Committee monitors regulatory inquiries, are outlined in several key 9 of whom are independent. 77.4 percent of our voting Class have voting rights, with certain
oversees the accounting and and conducts annual regulatory documents, which are available A Common Stock and 9.7 percent exceptions. ViacomCBS Class
financial reporting processes risk assessments, among other on our website. These documents National Amusements, Inc. (NAI) of our Class A Common Stock A and Class B Common Stock
of the company and audits of responsibilities. All employees are include the Corporate Governance is the controlling stockholder and Class B Common Stock on a and 5.57% Series A Mandatory
its financial statements. The subject to the BCS, which is our Guidelines, Board Committee of ViacomCBS. NAI is a closely combined basis. Convertible Preferred Stock are
Nominating and Governance Code of Conduct. Charters, BCS, and the held corporation that owns and listed on The NASDAQ Stock
Committee oversees our Supplemental Code of Ethics for operates movie screens in the Owners of our Class A Common Market LLC.
handling of ESG issues and The Executive Vice President, Senior Financial Officers. U.S., the UK, and South America Stock are entitled to one vote
monitors significant developments Chief Audit Officer leads and manages additional movie per share. Our Class B Common
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
13Holding Our compensation consulting firm and the effectiveness with which partners and public officials. We
to advise on topics pertaining management implements those have protocols in place – and
Leaders Accountable to executive compensation and policies. It also delegates some online training for our employees
GRI: 102-35 industry best practices. oversight of certain types of – around anti-competitive
risks – including risks relating behavior, labor rights, harassment
Our Chief Executive Officer, Our executives’ compensation to financial reporting, legal and discrimination, information
Chief Financial Officer, and Chief is directly tied to one of our and regulatory compliance, security, conflicts of interest, anti-
Accounting Officer are required ESG priorities: diversity, equity, compensation programs, and bribery, and anti-corruption.
to comply with a Supplemental and inclusion. Under our Short- ESG issues – to its three standing
Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Term Incentive Plan (STIP) for committees. The Board engages Employees have several options
Officers, in addition to the BCS, fiscal year 2020, five percent regularly with senior executives to report or escalate ethics
with which all employees must of each executive’s bonus was on potential strategic, financial, concerns. They may do so to their
comply. The Board of Directors directly connected to successfully legal, or operational risks. We managers or through OPENLINE,
is responsible for determining fostering an inclusive work published more information our anonymous, 24/7 reporting
potential actions in the case of environment, including making on Board and committee risk hotline that is managed by an
Supplemental Code violations. progress on company-wide oversight responsibilities in our independent third party. Our
diversity, equity, and inclusion 2021 Proxy Statement. non-retaliation policy prohibits
The Nominating and Governance goals. Overall, 30 percent of retaliation against any employee
and Compensation Committees
annually review senior
2020 STIP compensation was Compliance, for raising or helping to address
OPENLINE
tied to qualitative factors. an integrity concern in good faith.
management succession planning. Additional details on our 2020 Ethical Conduct Our Chief Compliance Officer is our anonymous,
STIP can be found in our latest and Internal Audits and General Counsel report on 24/7 reporting hotline
We follow a performance-based Proxy Statement. incidents regularly to the Audit that is managed by an
compensation model for our GRI: 102-16, 102-17, 102-33, 205-1, 205-2 Committee of the Board.
senior executives, who carry
IMAGE: independent third party
significant responsibility and
Risk Management Our BCS lays out expectations and
CBS television show: Blue Bloods crew
Our compliance team reviews
a great ability to influence our Approach standards for all employees on a and deploys the BCS with subject audit team also conducts periodic
business results. A significant GRI: 102-30, 409-1 range of issues and outlines our matter experts from across internal reviews of our operations
portion of their total compensation overall approach to ethics the organization every other to evaluate the effectiveness of
is tied to the company’s financial The Board of Directors has and compliance. year and reports to the Audit risk management and control
and operational results through responsibility for overseeing risk Committee regularly on employee processes and has a program
bonus incentives in the short management across the company. As a large company operating
BCS training and other relevant in place to ensure issues noted
term and equity incentives in the It is responsible for regularly around the world, our employees
compliance matters. Our internal are remediated.
long term. The Compensation evaluating the company’s strategic regularly interact with many
Committee retains an independent direction, management policies, different types of business
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
14ESG Governance BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
GRI: 102-18, 102-19, 102-20, 102-21, 102-26, 102-29, 102-31, 102-32, 102-40, 102-42, 102-43;
TCFD: Governance, TCFD: Risk Management Oversees the company’s handling of ESG issues
Our commitment to responsible and sustainable
business practices starts with our leaders and takes ESG TEAM
root throughout our organization. Executive Vice President, Chief Communications and Corporate Marketing Officer;
Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG; Senior Director
of ESG Strategy and Reporting; two ESG Specialists; and other internal and
ViacomCBS’ ESG strategy is Committee of the Board, the company to apply and
external support
based on the results of our per its charter, has oversight of embed an ESG lens to everyday
2020 materiality assessment. our company’s handling of ESG business decisions and long-term Leads day-to-day management of ESG issues
Our ESG team oversees our issues. The ESG team updates this company priorities.
strategy and implementation committee regularly, with updates
work and is led by a Senior Vice in between as needed. In 2021, we also took a major
step forward on our ESG
President and Senior Director of ESG COUNCIL
ESG, along with the Executive Vice We continue to formalize our journey by setting our first set of
President, Chief Communications ESG approach, working with measurable, time-bound goals for Cross-functional team of senior leadership and subject matter experts spanning Legal,
and Corporate Marketing Officer. teams across the company to each of our three priority areas. Investor Relations, OGI, Human Resources, Real Estate and Facilities, Environmental
They work in close collaboration build strategic plans in each ESG In partnership with teams across Health and Safety, Global Sourcing, and more
with the Chief Executive Officer, priority area. In 2020 and 2021, the enterprise, our ESG team
the General Counsel, and other we expanded the purview of developed the goals and reviewed
members of the executive our ESG Council, which is led by them with senior leadership and
team, who together make up our ESG team and helps guide our Board of Directors.
the Steering Committee of the our strategy work and ensures STEERING COMMITTEE
ESG is embedded throughout Stakeholder engagement is an
ESG Council. These leaders are Chief Executive Officer; Chief Financial Officer; General Counsel;
the company. The Council spans important part of our ESG strategy.
actively involved in reviewing Executive Vice President, Chief Communications and Corporate
Legal, Investor Relations, the We seek out the input of key
and refining our ESG strategies, Marketing Officer; Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer;
Office of Global Inclusion (OGI), groups – including employees,
programs, and policies. Our ESG Global Head of Inclusion; Executive Vice President, Investor Relations
Human Resources, Real Estate investors, advertisers, issue
team, which manages ESG across
and Facilities, Environmental advocacy groups, and others With the rest of the ESG Council, advises the ESG team, helps guide
the company, periodically provides
Health and Safety (EHS), and – on ESG issues, as discussed strategy roll-out, and ensures focus on material topics
key updates to senior leaders
more. Council members work throughout this report and our
and the ViacomCBS Board.
with functional teams across 2020 materiality assessment.
The Nominating and Governance
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
15Data Privacy and
Information Security
GRI: 418-1; SASB: TC-IM-220a.1, TC-TL-230a.2
From our digital content and the world, managing these issues and strategy, and more. Both Chief Information Security
streaming platforms to live events, requires continual focus and the ISO 27001 and National Officer and Chief Technology
our operations sometimes require adaptation. Our centralized data Institute of Standards and Officer update the committee
access to personal information privacy and information security Technology frameworks – on our information security
from consumers, employees, and teams monitor the regulatory internationally recognized program, cybersecurity risk
third-party businesses. In certain landscape and ensure our standards – guide our information management strategy, and
cases, we or our partners collect compliance with international security program governance security incidents quarterly.
data like names, addresses, and domestic privacy laws. process. We also maintain a
government identification cyber liability insurance program. In recent years, the number
numbers, geolocation data, Our robust information security and sophistication of information
IMAGE: or other user characteristics. program is based on a services We train all employees on our security breaches has significantly
CBS News We take seriously this access model that enables continuous information security and privacy increased around the world. Due
to personally identifiable security domain, risk, and maturity policies. We also regularly to our size and reach, ViacomCBS
information and acknowledge monitoring. We continually perform information technology and our third-party providers are
our responsibility, with our monitor ViacomCBS against compliance testing to ensure our at significant risk of these attacks.
partners, over its protection. a formal framework called the policies are being followed. An To our knowledge, we did not
Cybersecurity Capabilities Maturity independent audit team reviews experience any material security
Given the complexity of our Model, an industry-standard model our information security protocol. incidents in 2020.
business, the different audiences that allows organizations like ours
we reach, and the constantly to baseline current capabilities, The Board’s Audit Committee
evolving matrix of data privacy benchmark against peers, has oversight of our information
threats and regulations across optimize our security investments security programs and risks. Our
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
16Public Policy
Engagement
IMAGES (LEFT TO RIGHT):
GRI: 102-13, 415-1
CBS television show: The
Late Show with Stephen
$133k
We interact with public officials memberships. We are a member prohibit the use of any company In 2020 and 2021, American Colbert; CBS Evening News
around the world to educate and of the Motion Picture Association funds or other resources for democracy was tested in television show Anchor
advocate around issues that affect of America, NCTA – The Internet political purposes. We also unprecedented ways. In response and Managing Editor Norah
O’Donnell sits down with
our company and stakeholders. & Television Association, and include guidance for employees to the attack on the Capitol, we
President Joe Biden at the
We are particularly focused on the National Association of participating in the political paused contributions from our contributed to federal candidates White House
intellectual property (IP), copyright, Broadcasters, among other groups. process in our BCS. ViacomCBS PAC to members and federal campaign committees
taxation and tax credit policies, and of Congress who voted against
foreign trade issues. Political In 2020, we contributed $133,000 certification of the 2020 U.S.
to federal candidates and federal Electoral College results, as we
Through our Global Public Policy Contributions campaign committees. Recipients felt that their actions did not
and Government Relations team, of our largest donations ($7,500 reflect the values of our company.
We make all political contributions promote and strengthen a free
we engage with global and U.S.- each) included the National
through our ViacomCBS Political and fair voting system through
based regulators like The Federal Republican Congressional We unequivocally believe in
Action Committee (PAC), which is our programming and extensive
Communications Commission Committee, the Democratic the importance of all Americans
funded entirely through voluntary partnerships with grassroots
(FCC) and The Federal Trade Senatorial Campaign Committee, having an equal right to vote
employee contributions. We organizations. Read more about
Commission, as well as elected the National Republican Senatorial and spoke out against the
publicly disclose all contributions our work to engage and educate
officials either directly or through Committee, and the Democratic Georgia voting rights law after
to the Federal Election Committee. voters here.
industry associations and Congressional Committee. it was passed. We continue to
Our internal policies strictly
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
17ON-SCREEN
CONTENT &
SOCIAL IMPACT SASB: SV-ME-000.A
The content we produce through our
studios, networks, and streaming services
has extraordinary power. It both reflects
and shapes culture by driving awareness
and discussion of important issues and
influencing how people understand and
respond to them.
IMAGES:
CBS Diversity Showcase 2020
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
18ViacomCBS has incredible reach: We have the biggest broadcast
footprint globally, with 31.7 billion hours of content consumed Goals
globally as of March 2021 and 4.1 billion cumulative homes On-Screen Content
receiving our broadcast and cable networks. And our streaming
platforms are among the largest and fastest-growing in the
& Social Impact
We are harnessing what we do best — create and deliver content
industry, with more than 60 million full-episode viewers monthly. — to positively and powerfully portray and impact our communities,
further inclusion and understanding, and diversify representation
in entertainment. That means responsibly managing our content
We recognize the responsibility often very personal issues for We have set new public goals and advertising and using our platforms – including our work in
that comes with this reach and our audiences and can have a for On-Screen Content & Social our communities – for good.
influence, which is why on- profound influence on how those Impact, which our ESG team
screen content is a key part issues are understood. developed in partnership with
of our ESG strategy. We strive our Global Head of Inclusion, 1 Apply research and 2 Provide training to
to work to ensure that how Above all, our relationship with Chief Communications and rigor to understand best productions on the MTV
and what we produce not only viewers demands that we earn Corporate Marketing Officer, practices of representation Entertainment Group
follows regulations and industry and maintain their trust. We do Brand Presidents, and their and portrayals along five Culture Orientation,
guidelines, but also aligns with our this by connecting with the issues teams. These goals demonstrate topic areas aligned with beginning with 100%
values and internal standards. and experiences that shape their how we are working to further our Content for Change of MTVE productions
worlds, ensuring the accuracy embed our priorities – especially program by 2023 by the end of 2022
The content we create and deliver and integrity of our editorial around DE&I – into the content
– including news and public practices, and strategically using creation process.
affairs programming, sports, our platforms to create positive
movies, scripted and unscripted social impacts where appropriate
television series, live events, and and possible.
more – addresses important and
31.7
billion hours of content
4.1
billion cumulative homes
consumed globally as receiving our broadcast
of March 2021 and cable networks
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
19CONTENT CREATIVE SUPPLY CHAIN CULTURE
Diverse and Counteract racism, bias,
stereotypes, and hate with our
content, and amplify stories of
Ensure equality in how our
content gets made, and across
our entire creative supply chain
Create a culture of diversity,
inclusion, and belonging, built
on equal opportunities for
Inclusive Content
underrepresented audiences access and advancement across
the entire content ecosystem
Ensuring our content reflects the diversity of our ViacomCBS has long This section of our report informs and enhances the stories at the University of Southern
been a pioneer in serving describes some of the most recent we tell through our content. California (USC) Annenberg
audiences and the richness of their experiences underrepresented audiences. developments in this ongoing School for Communication
We’ve led the way with effort. To learn more, including In partnership with corporate, and Journalism’s Annenberg
helps us build strong relationships with viewers groundbreaking content featuring details of key initiatives across all civil rights, and social justice Inclusion Initiative to study
diverse, multidimensional our brands, visit our Diversity & organizations, Content for Change representation of on-screen
and deepen understanding of the world. characters and stories, and Inclusion website. focuses on creating, distributing, characters and production staff
we’ve consistently elevated marketing, and promoting content across dozens of ViacomCBS
conversations about the Content for Change that will help counter societal series. We also partnered with
experiences and issues that matter narratives that allow hate to Stanford University to examine
Content for Change is a major exist and drive changes that
to underrepresented communities. how seemingly positive media
social justice initiative anchored meaningfully address these content could trigger anti-Black
Our brands represent the widest in the belief that storytelling has key issues. bias and leverage research-based
range of diverse audiences of the power to transform how we
strategies to combat it.
any major media company: Our see ourselves and one another. To strengthen our understanding
programming reaches viewers in BET announced the program and approach to content, we’ve We’ve also developed a
184 countries and 45 languages. in June 2020 and it is now a set a goal to apply research framework to categorize, review,
But we know we must continue company-wide initiative with three and rigor to understand best and measure content in relation
working to increase representation interrelated objectives: leveraging practices of representation and to five key attributes: shifting
and disrupt systemic biases. content to counteract racism, bias, portrayals along five topic areas, majority bias, challenging stigma
We remain focused on telling stereotypes, and hate; ensuring beginning with mental health and stereotypes, elevating
the stories of diverse audiences equity across our entire creative and Black representation. underrepresented narratives
and increasing the diversity of supply chain; and creating a and perspectives, addressing
culture of diversity, inclusion, In 2020-21, we advanced this work
talent both on screen and behind social issues, and empowering
and belonging that continuously by partnering with researchers
the camera. creators and suppliers that are
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
20Black, Indigenous, and People of
Color (BIPOC). By standardizing
We are working to strengthen our
company culture rooted in our
DESTIGMATIZING AND INSPIRING
and strengthening our internal values, in part through a strategy ACTION ON MENTAL HEALTH
processes, we aim to increase to guide our creative community Recognizing the increasing prevalence and urgency of mental health
accountability and improve our in addressing issues of race and issues, especially during the pandemic, MTV Entertainment Group
ability to create content that social justice. We will continue launched Mental Health is Health, an ambitious, multiyear initiative.
reflects the nuances of BIPOC to evolve our corporate culture, Mental Health is Health seeks to harness the power of storytelling
experiences while positively expanding opportunities for to destigmatize mental health, promote conversation, and inspire
impacting communities. advancement and access action. It grew out of work commissioned by the Annenberg Inclusion
at all levels of the company Initiative – the leading think tank focused on diversity and inclusion
This work applies to our supply and across our entire content in entertainment – to study mental health representation across
chains, too. We are increasing creation ecosystem. MTV Entertainment Group’s scripted and unscripted shows. The
supplier diversity and leveraging effort includes a commitment to double the number of mental health
diverse talent pools, while In 2020, the MTV Entertainment storylines across all 100+ shows in its portfolio and ensure that
applying and contributing to Group spearheaded the portrayals are authentic and nuanced.
industry standards. This includes development of the MTV
standardizing how we identify and Entertainment Culture Orientation, MTV Entertainment Group and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative have
hire production crews and other an internal training program also spearheaded the formation of the Mental Health Storytelling
staff across all our productions establishing a communal set Coalition, a diverse group of outside experts and media giants to
and incorporating DE&I standards of values, understanding, and transform mental health representation in entertainment and help
into our worldwide vendor baseline cultural norms to create change the national narrative. The effort kicked off with the first Better
management and procurement a more inclusive and welcoming Together: Mental Health Storytelling Summit featuring conversations
operations. For example, we creative community. We have with content creators, talent, and leading mental health experts. The
“
made a commitment to use set a goal to provide training We all know the power of storytelling coalition also developed a comprehensive Mental Health Media Guide
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Crew, to productions on the Culture designed to help expand positive mental health portrayals.
a database platform that offers
and how narrative can frame the way
Orientation, beginning with 100
productions in Los Angeles, percent of MTVE productions we look at an issue, which is why MTV Entertainment Group brought together more than 1,400 partners
New York, Atlanta, New Orleans, by the end of 2022. Developed we’re doing our part to reimagine from 32 countries to launch the first-ever Mental Health Action Day on
Miami, Washington, DC, and in partnership with leading social May 20, 2021. MTV, with a wide coalition of partners, came together
the role that content can play to
Chicago access to qualified but justice groups, the initiative is to shift our culture from awareness to action on mental health by
demystify and destigmatize mental encouraging and empowering people to proactively support their
underrepresented below-the-line anchored by a multidisciplinary
crew members for hiring searches. training encompassing topics health. It’s a crisis that’s rapidly on emotional well-being and drive change in their communities. Mental
ARRAY Crew offers 45 below- like racial justice, mental health, the rise and not enough people are Health Action Day, which trended on Twitter thanks in part to posts
the-line categories, allowing religion, gender and sexuality, talking about.” from President Biden, The White House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Kerry
crew members of different ages, disabilities, immigration, sexual Washington, Alanis Morissette, and more, led to 620 million views on
— Chris McCarthy, GIPHY, 320 million public engagements on social media, 150 million
genders, races, disabilities, violence, and more. The code
President of MTV Entertainment Group
languages, and more to create extends beyond employees to views on TikTok, local events around the world, and more than
a profile on the platform to include MTVE projects, production 1,700 press hits with an audience of 20 million readers.
be matched with potential companies, and talent, and we will
production opportunities. work to scale it across additional
ViacomCBS brands.
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
21Continuing a Legacy Enhancing News Coverage Understanding Black Athletes’
of Underrepresented History in Sports
of Diverse and Communities
Inclusive Content In September 2020, CBS Sports
extended its 8:46 campaign
In July 2020, CBS News named
From Forrest Gump (1990) to Queer award-winning journalist Alvin with Portraits in Black, a day of
as Folk (2000), 106 & Park (2000) Patrick Executive Producer of programming highlighting CBS
to RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009), and the newly formed Race and Sports stories past and present
MTV Shuga (2009) to Awkwafina Culture Unit. The unit will work that detail Black athletes’ triumphs
Is Nora from Queens (2020) and closely with executive producers and struggles in sports. The
more, ViacomCBS has a decades- across all platforms to help lineup featured Forward Progress:
long history of delivering content shape coverage and ensure The Integration of SEC Football,
that explores and celebrates the the division’s reporting reflects The Black 14: Wyoming Football
experience of diverse communities. diverse perspectives. 1969, Althea & Arthur, CBS Sports
Connected: The American Dream,
In 2020-21, we continued to build In August 2020, CBS News also and CBS Sports Connected: What It
on this legacy with both new and launched CBS Village, a cross- Means to Be Me.
continuing programming centering platform franchise led by the Race Celebrating the Role of HBCUs annual HBCU All-Star Game Highlighting Leadership
diverse voices and addressing and Culture Unit that showcases To mark Black History Month in in College Basketball will be broadcast on the CBS Against Hate
key issues relevant to those the organization’s inclusive, February 2021, CBS Sports aired Television Network.
communities. For example, CBS On the Sunday of Final Four BET and Together Beat Hate – an
original reporting and covers a special episode of its all-female
Media Ventures has partnered weekend during the NCAA In addition to the HBCU All-Star organization focused on creating
issues that affect traditionally national weekly sports show We
with Black News Channel to Division I Men’s Basketball Game, we have announced a replicable models for fighting
underrepresented communities. Need to Talk focusing on Doug
bolster our advertising reach Championship in April 2021, multiyear commitment to HBCUs anti-Semitism and other forms of
Williams, the first Black quarterback
and resources and with NuTime CBS Sports aired a special block with the creation of an annual bigotry – launched a partnership
to start in and win the Super Bowl.
Media to connect advertisers with of programming highlighting scholarship fund and internship to highlight historical heroes,
The network also debuted a series
African American consumers. We the history and culture of opportunities in an effort to identify, as well as leaders of today who
of animated vignettes exploring the
are also teaming up with Black-ish Historically Black Colleges and foster, highlight, and recruit the are actively combatting hate.
stories of groundbreaking Black
creator Kenya Barris to launch Universities (HBCUs) and their many talented and accomplished From January to June 2021, the
athletes including Josh Gibson,
BET Studios, a studio venture that impact on college basketball. students from HBCUs. In the first campaign celebrated leaders
a Hall of Fame catcher; William
offers equity ownership for Black The programming featured two year of this initiative, we donated in various areas as the country
Edward White, the first Black player
content creators. BET Studios will documentaries – Big House, $100,000 to the United Negro honored and celebrated pivotal
in Major League Baseball; Alice
create premium television series The Pearl & The Triumph of College Fund to establish the moments in history and social
Coachman, the first Black female
and films for buyers including Winston-Salem State and Soul of scholarship fund, which is available movements: National Religious
Olympic gold medalist; and Lucy
Paramount+, SHOWTIME, CBS, the Game: The John McLendon to current students attending Freedom Day and Martin Luther
Diggs Slowe, the first Black woman
Nickelodeon, BET+, BET, and Story – plus an hour-long special HBCUs who have demonstrated an King Jr. Day (January), Black
to win a national title in any sport.
select third-party platforms. titled HBCUs: Elevating the Game, interest in media, entertainment, History Month (February), Women’s
IMAGES (LEFT TO RIGHT):
which explored the history of the and sports and shown strong History Month (March), Sexual
CBS This Morning television show; colleges both on and off the leadership ability. Assault Awareness Month (April),
CBS Sports court. Beginning in 2022, the Jewish American Heritage Month
(May) and Pride Month (June).
ESG REPORT 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE ON-SCREEN CONTENT
& SOCIAL IMPACT
WORKFORCE
& CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
& OPERATIONS
REPORTING
INDICES
22You can also read
