Media Insider: TIME 100 Revealed, Verizon Media Rolls Out Election Initiatives, Penske Media Merges With MRC

Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s roundup of media stories from the week.

TIME | EDWARD FELSENTHAL
How We Chose the 2020 TIME 100

TIME released this year’s TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world, and the list looks far different than ever before. Due to multiple crises around the world this year, the TIME 100 list strays away from highlighting people who hold traditional power and focuses on lesser-known, extraordinary individuals who worked to repair the world in 2020. The year’s list features doctors, nurses and scientists, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, who stepped up to save lives and faced unfathomable challenges during the COVID-19 crisis. The list also features more than a dozen activists, such as Black Lives Matter founders, who fought for equality and built an international movement for racial justice. A record 54 women will also be featured, including a dedicated cover and special tribute commemorating Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Meet Seven Generation Z climate activists from across the U.S. who have come together to curate a special edition of the Guardian US.

MEDIAPOST | SARA GUAGLIONE
Verizon Media Portfolio Rolls Out Voter Registration, Election Day Initiatives

Verizon Media announced it will roll out new products, editorial series, immersive content and virtual experiences centered around the 2020 Election. Verizon Media brands, including HuffPost, Yahoo News, Yahoo Finance, and Yahoo Sports, will launch new initiatives that provide detailed instructions on voter registration, as well as assistance in making informed decisions ahead of this year’s historic election. The new initiatives include Yahoo Election Hub, a one-stop platform featuring fact checked, original reporting; curated election coverage from major news sources; up-to-date polling data; and a voter registration module. Yahoo Sports will launch “Voting Playbook,” an interactive map of the U.S. featuring athlete-hosted instructional videos on the voting process in each state. Yahoo Finance, Yahoo News and HuffPost will also collaborate on four, hour-long specials, each focused on an election topic and featuring commentary from reporters and editors from each of Verizon Media’s brands.

Continue Reading: How Social Media Platforms Are Bracing for Election Chaos.

VARIETY
PMC to Operate Billboard, Hollywood Reporter and Vibe in Joint Venture With MRC

Penske Media Corp. and MRC join forces to form a new entity named PMRC. Under PMRC, PMC will lead daily operations of an expanded entertainment and music brand portfolio, including Billboard, Vibe and the Hollywood Reporter. MRC will use its production infrastructure to develop new content and business opportunities across PMRC brands. Outside of PMRC, PMC and MRC will continue to operate independently. The joint venture promises to shakeup the entertainment industry trade journalism landscape.

More from Variety: Digital News Veteran William Earl Named Editor of Variety.com.

MEDIAPOST | JOE MANDESE
In GARM’s Way: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube Agree to Ad Industry’s Harmful Content Standards

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have committed to a new self-regulatory process to help reduce the spread of disinformation and other harmful content to create a safer social media environment. In collaboration with the digital platforms, the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) created a cross-industry initiative call Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and spent 15 months developing a harmonized approach to reporting and monitoring the distribution of harmful content. The platforms have each agreed to adopt a common set of definitions for harmful content, abide by GARM reporting standards on harmful content, and continue to collaborate on the development of industry monitoring efforts. WFA CEO Stephan Loerke stated, “As funders of the online ecosystem, advertisers have a critical role to play in driving positive change and we are pleased to have reached agreement with the platforms on an action plan and timeline in order to make the necessary improvements.”

Another digital platform driving positive change: TikTok, which will increase restrictions on ads that promote harmful or negative body image.

LOS ANGELES TIMES | RYAN FAUGHNDER AND WENDY LEE
Quibi May Be for Sale. But What Is It Worth, and Who Would Buy It?

Just six months after launching, Quibi Founder Jeffrey Katzenberg and CEO Meg Whitman are looking at options to sell. Speculations are being made within the media, tech, and entertainment industries that Quibi has engaged JPMorgan Chase & Co. to help the company review a range of strategic options, such as selling, raising more money, or going public. Analysts believe Quibi could be a target for legacy media or tech companies, but it is unclear what those companies would be willing to pay. Streaming services are typically valued based on their brand name and how many subscribers they have, neither of which Quibi has succeeded in since its April launch. Katzenberg attributed the company’s struggles to the COVID-19 pandemic and has acknowledged uptake has been disappointing.

ICYMI: Study finds that universities continue to block athletes from talking to the media.

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Erin Wade is a Senior Customer Content Specialist with PR Newswire. She is also an animal lover and aspiring world traveler. Tune into her insights as a social curator at @TotalCSR.