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Michael Hemphill

NEWS RELEASE – Watch Party on March 29 celebrates 30th Episode of BUZZ 900 600 Michael Hemphill

NEWS RELEASE – Watch Party on March 29 celebrates 30th Episode of BUZZ

NEWS RELEASE

Watch Party on March 29 celebrates 30th Episode of BUZZ

March 15, 2023 (Roanoke, Va.) – The Southwest Virginia-based television show BUZZ, featuring nonprofits receiving pro bono marketing resources, will premier its 30th episode on March 29 on Blue Ridge PBS.

A free community Watch Party will be held at the Grandin Theatre for the episode, which stars the Roanoke homeless ministry, The Least of These. Wheeler Digital is donating the marketing “buzz” in the show. Funding for this episode is provided by the Louise R. Lester Foundation.

“We remain honored that so many incredible marketing agencies throughout Virginia have been willing to give their time and talent to help our nonprofit community,” said Michael Hemphill, creator and host of BUZZ. “In turn, these life-giving organizations are able to attract more donors and volunteers to their cause so they can better fulfill their missions.”

BUZZ is produced in partnership with the American Advertising Federation of Roanoke.

Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, BUZZ has featured dozens of nonprofits across the Commonwealth on its 30 episodes, spanning a range of causes from Arts & Culture (Southwest Virginia Ballet, Roanoke Arts Pop); Social Services (R.A.M. House, Feeding Southwest Virginia); Healthcare (Children’s Assistive Technology Service, Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia); Environment (FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge); and Children and Families (West End Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia).

Episodes currently under development include Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley; YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge; Art & Economic Development in Roanoke, Va.; The Hokie Way; and Community Foundation of the New River Valley.

Virginia is home to hundreds of nonprofits – from homeless shelters and food banks to children’s choirs and art museums. As skilled as these organizations are in fulfilling their missions, they often lack the time, expertise, personnel or bandwidth to properly promote themselves. This lack of good marketing – this shortage of buzz, if you will – limits their ability to further their cause.

All episodes of BUZZ are available on demand at buzz4good.com/episodes. In fall 2021, Hemphill added a weekly radio show, Buzz4Good, airing Saturdays 4 p.m. on WFIR (also available on buzz4good.com/podcast) that interviews nonprofit leaders throughout Southwest Virginia. 

Contact:

Michael Hemphill, Creator of BUZZ
540.556.2879 | michael@buzz4good.com

BUZZ Episode 29: How Storytelling via Videos Can Create Awareness for Your Nonprofit 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ Episode 29: How Storytelling via Videos Can Create Awareness for Your Nonprofit

As originally broadcast on February 22, 2023, on Blue Ridge PBS …

Today’s BUZZ uses the power of video to not only feature eight different nonprofits, but also amazing video producers who generously donate their time and talent to help nonprofits achieve more buzz. Get in contact with video producers in your area to help your nonprofit generate more awareness in your communities!

Talent like:

  • Photographer Ryan Hunt, who regularly shoots the biggest names in music and sports, and most recently helped share the mission of the nonprofit Compress & Shock Foundation.
  • Or Jamie Nabers, owner of BOSS Motion Pictures, who lent his talents to help the United Way of the Roanoke Valley spread the word about the importance of Covid vaccinations.
  • Or Bruce C. Bryan, owner of 5Points Creative, who provided marketing buzz for the Virginia Institute of Autism and, working with BUZZ cinematographer Dan Mirolli, for Local Environmental and Agricultural Project, aka LEAP.
  • And Click & Pledge Foundation’s Bethany Teague, who created compelling videos starring Blacksburg Rescue Squad, Renaissance Music Academy, Rescue Mission of Roanoke, and Salem Education Foundation.
“Women Who Care” just dropped on Buzz4Good Podcast 900 624 Michael Hemphill

“Women Who Care” just dropped on Buzz4Good Podcast

March is Women’s History Month and so on today’s Buzz4Good podcast we feature the work of two women’s philanthropies in Southwest Virginia – the Roanoke Women’s Foundation  and 100+ Women Who Care New River Valley.

Listen Now

Collectively, through what are known as giving circles, these two organizations are arguably having the biggest impact on nonprofits in the region.

One question in partcular we discuss: what is it about women that make them uniquely suited to creating and sustaining these funding organizations? Or put another way … men, where you at?

BUZZ features 4 Nonprofit Video Producers 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ features 4 Nonprofit Video Producers

Tune in to Blue Ridge PBS on February 22 to watch our BUZZ that features not just eight different nonprofits, but four amazing video producers who generously donate their time and talent helping nonprofits achieve more buzz. 

  • Talent like photographer Ryan Hunt, who shared the mission of the nonprofit Compress & Shock Foundation. 
  • Or Jamie Nabers, owner of BOSS Motion Pictures, who helped the United Way of the Roanoke Valley spread the word about the importance of Covid vaccinations.
  • Bruce C. Bryan, owner of 5Points Creative, rebranded and provided buzz for the Virginia Institute of Autism.
  • And Bethany Teague, director of storytelling for Click & Pledge Foundation, who shared the stories of Renaissance Music Academy, Blacksburg Rescue Squad, Rescue Mission of Roanoke, and Salem Education Foundation.
For Black History Month watch BUZZ + Christiansburg INSTITUTE 900 675 Michael Hemphill

For Black History Month watch BUZZ + Christiansburg INSTITUTE

Black history is American history.

Nowhere is our nation’s struggle for racial equality and social justice experienced more profoundly than the 155-year legacy of Christiansburg Institute in Montgomery County, Virginia.

We challenge you to watch our special two-part BUZZ on the Christiansburg Institute for your Black History Month celebration.