ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) has opened a new social impact division to develop content about climate, equity and health issues for ViacomCBS brands including streamer Paramount+ and third parties.

It’s part of a global ViacomCBS initiative called Content for Change, which is aiming to combat racism, bias, stereotypes and hate through the media company’s culture, creative supply chain and content.

Veteran Viacom exec Georgia Arnold (pictured left) will head up VIS Social Impact, while continuing to serve as SVP of social responsibility for VIS. Arnold reports to JC Acosta, president of ViacomCBS International Studios and Networks Americas.

Since joining the company in 1994, Arnold co-founded and currently serves as executive director of HIV awareness and prevention campaign MTV Staying Alive Foundation, and she has also executive produced 77 episodes of drama series Shuga as part of MTV’s Staying Alive social-change initiative.

VIS Social Impact aims to promote underrepresented communities as well, and is launching an inclusive writers room led by actor/writer/director Thishiwe Ziqubu (pictured right), whose credits include Rhythm City, Shuga and Emoyeni. 

VIS has yet to confirm if the new division will develop content for children. VIS Kids has been rapidly expanding its content slate lately, and has set an ambitious goal to develop 30 new kids shows over the next three years.