Fuse Media and Voto Latino Foundation are again joining to encourage Latinx participation in the 2020 election.

The effort, part of Fuse’s “Be Change” social responsibility initiative, uses the slogan “Be Counted. Be Change.”

“Forty percent of the 32 million Latinx Americans eligible to vote in the 2020 election are 34 years or younger, placing them directly within our audience composition,” said Fuse Media CEO Miguel (Mike) Roggero. “By once again partnering with Voto Latino Foundation, Fuse provides a national platform to educate and inform our audience that by registering and voting this November they are empowered to actively drive change for a better tomorrow. And, while the national presidential election is important, our Be Change messaging will also emphasize the significance of participating at the local level where young voters have the opportunity to make a real impact on their communities.” 

Related: Stacey Abrams Featured in Fuse ‘Be Change’ Push

The initiative includes a series of vignettes featuring singer Amara La Negra, actress Dascha Polanco, journalist Mariana Atencio and Steven Garza, who appeared in Boys State, plus Fuse hosts Dee Nasty and Sasha Merci.

The vignettes will appear on the Fuse and FM linear channels, Fuse.tv and across Fuse Media social accounts.

Fuse will also have linear programming stunts including National Registration Day: We’ve Got Issues on Sept. 22, Election 2020: We’ve Got Issues. The channel will also be showing documentary films about some issues important to voters. Fuse will also create on-air on-screen lower-third announcements letting viewers know they can get more info at votolatino.org.

“This year, the Latinx community will be the second-largest voting bloc and a major force in the electorate, especially young Latinxs,” said María Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of VotoLatino Foundation. “Communicating the impact of their voice to young Latinx voters is critical and we're honored to be working with Fuse to empower young Latinxs to get involved, speak up for their community, and vote.”

Discovery Inc. is partnering with food producer Kellogg Company and advocacy group No Kid Hungry to develop public service announcements as part of an initiative to fight childhood hunger in the country.

The PSA’s are currently airing on Food Network as well as TLC as part of Discovery and No Kid Hungry’s "Turn Up! Fight Hunger" initiative, which has provided more than 312 million meals to kids in need since Fall 2019, according to Discovery officials. 

With one in four kids facing hunger this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic -- and with the pandemic forcing the closure of schools that provide meals for more than 22 million students --- Discovery hopes to bring attention and additional resources to the crisis through the initiative, according to Discovery Inc. chief corporate operating officer David Leavy.

“Food insecurity among kids during the COVID-19 pandemic is a very worrisome trend and a key area of our focus going forward," said Leavy. "Our partnerships with both No Kid Hungry and Kellogg’s allow us to continue to bring attention to this crisis, mobilize additional resources, and bring immediate relief to families in need.”

Added Jill Davis, chief revenue officer at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign: “In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions more children are at risk of going without the meals they rely on. It will take a greater combination of resources to meet this pressing need, which is why we are inspired to have our longstanding partners Discovery and Kellogg’s bring their collective resources to help us make sure kids are fed during this crisis and in its aftermath.”

Kellogg’s will offer specifically marked boxes of cereal with information and actions that detail how consumers can join the fight to end childhood hunger, according to the company.

 “Food insecurity continues to be a major public health issue in the United States,” said Doug VandeVelde, general manager, Kellogg Ready to Eat Cereal. “Our support for No Kid Hungry helps many schools across the country offer breakfast to set children up to start a successful day with a nutritious meal.”

The Department of Health and Human Services is working on a "large" media campaign of purchased PSA's related to the COVID-19 pandemic that will include local broadcasters and newspapers and will look to encourage states to use some of HHS' money for their own paid campaigns.

That is according to a letter to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) from Michael Caputo, HHS assistant secretary for public affairs. Manchin had headed a letter asking the Office of Management and Budget "to work with federal agencies throughout the government to increase advertising in local newspapers and on broadcast stations." 

Broadcasters have already donated millions in coronavirus-related PSAs, but was also looking for the government to direct some of its relief money to paid media.

Caputo said that as a former radio talk show host he understood how vital local media is. He told Manchin the Ad Council had provided public health messages to local media outlets--which they have been running for free--but said the government would be opening its wallet.

"We are building a large campaign of purchased public-service announcements to keep Americans informed as the pandemic evolves and our country safely reopens. We are focused on working with small-to-medium-sized media placement companies who will buy ad space for a flat fee, not a commission," Caputo said. He said by working with local media buyers with "unique relationships," the HHS could work "more effectively" with those local outlets.

He also pointed out that HHS gets "significant funding" for public health purposes and pandemic response and it was looking for ways states could use some of those funds for state-level campaigns. He said "clear, reliable information is crucial to defeating the virus."

"NAB has been advocating for federal advertising dollars to be directed to local broadcasters as part of pandemic relief efforts," said National Association of Broadcasters senior VP Ann Marie Cumming in response to Caputo's letter. "NAB will continue to stay in close contact with HHS and provide more details to local broadcasters about the advertising initiative as they become available."

NCTA-The Internet & Television Association said its members have committed to provide over $100 million worth of public service ads through June to help educate the public about the COVID-19 pandemic and how to curtail the virus' spread.

That figure is based on the total value of time donated and use of PSA material on digital and social media properties.

That includes time donated to the Ad Council and Red Cross initiatives.

“TV programming companies and distributors are playing a critical role in reaching consumers with information, education, and insight during the pandemic,” said NCTA president Michael Powell. “As Americans connect via our broadband networks, and stay entertained and educated through cable TV programming, our companies are on the front lines of helping consumers deal with this extraordinary time in our history. We hope that our member companies can help Americans in this time of need while our nation moves towards a return to prosperity.”

That goes far beyond donated ad slots. ISPs are opening WiFi hotspots, offering free service to low-income residents, wiring hospital ships for broadband, suspending data overage charges and more.

Seinfeld co-creator and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David has made a PSA for the State of California urging people to stay at home and watch TV. 

The video was tweeted out by the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom. 

[embed]https://twitter.com/CAgovernor/status/1245110728199045120[/embed]

David targeted the "idiots"--"you know who you are"--who were not practicing social distancing and potentially hurting their elderly relatives.  

David said they were passing up a great, "once in a lifetime" excuse for just sitting inside and watching television, then added it may be because they were not that bright. 

"Go home, watch TV. That's my advice to you," he said. He pointed out that if they had seen Curb Your Enthusiasm, they knew that nothing good ever happens going outside the house. "Don't see anyone, except maybe if there is a plumbing emergency, then wipe down the house after he leaves. But that's it."

ESPN Monday released a new public service announcement spot surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.

The #oneteam PSA features 24 ESPN personalities speaking from home and encourages sports fans to remain vigilant in light of the coronavirus outbreak, including practicing social distancing, checking on each other and supporting the health care providers on the front line, according to network officials.