FUSION Executive Editor Hillary Frey today announced the media network’s 2016 election team. In addition, Frey announced that Erin McClam (@ErinMcClam) is joining FUSION from NBC News to serve as Senior Political Editor. See the full note to staff below.

Last week FUSION announced that it has launched a new monthly poll of young people between the ages of 18-35, the demographic marketers commonly refer to as millennials. Each month FUSION will ask about subjects ranging from privacy and education to policing and social issues – all subjects FUSION covers regularly across its platforms. The first poll focuses on the issue of immigration the next will be about student loans – more here.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Hillary Frey
Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2015
Subject: FUSION’s 2016 Election Supergroup
To: All Fusion

Hi all —

As Alexis and I mentioned during the Town Hall this summer and Isaac recently affirmed, the 2016 election is going to be a pivotal story for FUSION.

We know our audience has lost faith in institutions — be it politicians in Washington or traditional media orgs that focus on the horserace as opposed to issues that matter most to young people (i.e. when FOX News and CNN neglected to adequately address key issues like college affordability and student debt). So, during this campaign year, FUSION aims to be the voice of the New American majority — one that is young, diverse, and inclusive. We’ll cover the most important issues to our audience with passion, point of view, humor (where appropriate) and vast, vast quantities of energy.

At the core of FUSION’s daily editorial efforts will be our 2016 Supergroup, a team comprised of our talented reporters, producers, and correspondents who are already strong voices on certain areas of coverage – Mariana Atencio (Latino vote), Cristina Constantini (criminal justice reform + immigration), Rafa Fernandez (U.S./Mexico relations + immigration), Kashmir Hill (security), Nico Ibarguen (climate change + environment), Katie McDonough (reproductive rights), Collier Meyerson (structural racism + social justice), Miriti Murungi (social justice + culture), Jorge Rivas (LGBT issues + immigration), Danny Rivero (gun control), Felix Salmon (economy), Nando Vila (third party politics + campaign finance), and Rob Wile (college affordability, student loads + economy). Alicia Menendez will play a critical role across the board, tackling a range of issues and leading our efforts to get young people registered to vote. And with “No, You Shut Up!” focusing its attention of the election from a comedic perspective, Paul F. Tompkins will also be a key player.

In addition to covering core issues, members of FUSION’s team will fan out across the country at points over the next year to cover how the election is playing out on the ground in under-covered and underserved communities. Their stories will be shared with our audience across all our platforms ranging from Snapchat, Instagram, and Vine to our TV network and FUSION.net.

We will be adding more voices to our team, bringing in outside contributors to weigh in on additional subjects and issues. While those listed above are tasked with paying attention to certain topics — we welcome contributions from everyone at FUSION, so don’t feel shy about reaching out with any and all ideas.

I am also pleased to announce that Erin McClam (@ErinMcClam) is joining FUSION from NBC News as our Senior Political Editor. In his role, he’ll be overseeing and coordinating our day-to-day 2016 coverage across verticals, running news coverage during live events, and coordinating our national reporting project. Erin joins our stellar 2016 editorial team driven by Director of Elections Coverage Rebekah Dryden and “AMERICA” EP Dax Tejera. Please join me in welcoming Erin who starts Monday in the New York office.

Finally, it goes without saying, one of the most important members of our 2016 team will be Jorge Ramos. No candidate will have a chance of making it to the White House without talking to Jorge. (If you haven’t read William Finnegan’s New Yorker profile go do so now.) He keeps proving to audiences, in both English on FUSION and Spanish on Univision, that he’ll ask tough, probing questions of the men and women hoping to lead nations, here and abroad… just ask Donald Trump or Barack Obama.

Looking forward to an exciting (and entertaining) year ahead!

– Hillary