The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently used its funds to influence a storyline in the “ER” episode with George Clooney’s return, part of a strategy of delivering its messages on health topics such as HIV prevention, the New York Times reports. The Gates Foundation has struck an agreement with Viacom to influence popular culture, the newspaper says. “We are committing the entire creative power of our organization,” Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman tells the Times.
—Aimee Picchi