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Episode 3 of BUZZ

 Episode 3 of BUZZ 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

Now playing on Blue Ridge PBS and our YouTube channel: Episode 3 of BUZZ featuring Mill Mountain Zoo and the pro bono rebranding provided by Wordsprint.

Since its founding in 1952, Mill Mountain Zoo has been a nursery rhyme-themed amusement park featuring exotic animals. Today, the iconic attraction’s focus on education and conservation is so radically different that the word “zoo” no longer applies. Wordsprint, a print marketing company based in Blacksburg, guides the zoo’s board and staff in crafting a new identity as it approaches its 70th birthday atop Mill Mountain. 

Episode 2 of BUZZ

 Episode 2 of BUZZ 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

Now playing on Blue Ridge PBS and our YouTube channel: Episode 2 of BUZZ featuring Healing Strides of Virginia receiving a pro bono marketing makeover from 5 Points Creative

Healing Strides of Virginia often refers to itself as one of the region’s “best-kept secrets” for its work providing therapeutic horse-riding services for people suffering from neurological disorders including children with autism and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. But thanks to a $25,000 “marketing makeover” by 5 Points Creative, the nonprofit based in Boones Mill is a secret no longer. 

Episode 1 of BUZZ

 Episode 1 of BUZZ 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

Now playing on Blue Ridge PBS and our YouTube channel: Episode 1 of BUZZ featuring Southwest Virginia Ballet receiving a pro bono marketing makeover from digital specialist Carrie Cousins, with appearances by Wordsprint, Press Press March, Anderson Music Therapy, and Roanoke Symphony Orchestra music director David Stewart Wiley.

From free classes for Roanoke City schoolchildren to free performances for families with special needs, Southwest Virginia Ballet has transformed lives throughout the state through dance, artistry, and passion … despite a website that features none of those things. As a 30th birthday gift to Southwest Virginia Ballet, digital marketing specialist Carrie Cousins provides the nonprofit with an online transformation of its own. This episode is the first of four featuring nonprofits in Roanoke, Virginia, struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and hoping to thrive once it’s over.

Why We Need More BUZZ

 Why We Need More BUZZ 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

All that has transpired in 2020 — from the viruses of COVID-19 and racial injustice to the complete breakdown of civil and civic discourse — has only affirmed this project we’ve been nursing along the last year and a half: BUZZ TV show highlighting nonprofit organizations and the marketing pros who help them do more and do better. 

We’re excited to announce that the first four episodes start airing August 5 on Blue Ridge PBS and on our social media accounts. (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.)

BUZZ has gone through several iterations these last 18 months: different production teams, different hosts (now yours truly). But the underlying premise remains true: our nation’s nonprofit organizations — homeless shelters and free clinics; zoos and museums; community theaters and choirs; churches and on and on — are increasingly all that is keeping our communities connected while our governmental institutions drive us apart.

We look forward to presenting our first four episodes on Blue Ridge PBS, which you can watch from home or at our watch party at The Grandin Theatre. Visit https://aafroanoke.org/events/ for more info.

Buzz Premier Parties at Grandin Theater

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You can watch the first four episodes of BUZZ in August on Blue Ridge PBS from the comfort of your home … or at Buzz4Good/AAF Roanoke’s watch parties at The Grandin Theater! Each show will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a live Q&A at 7:30 p.m.

Attendees must wear masks, and seating will be spaced out. Concessions will be available. Capacity is limited to 90 for social distancing seating. Tickets are just $5. Before heading to your theatrical experience, make sure to read the Grandin Theater’s SAFETY GUIDELINES.

Upcoming Premieres

BUZZ is a new television show featuring nonprofits and the marketing pros who help them do more and better. These episodes are sponsored by James Pearman of Partners in Financial Planning.

That’s a wrap on our first 2 episodes

 That’s a wrap on our first 2 episodes 1024 768 Michael Hemphill

We’re excited to announce that we’ve concluded shooting the first 2 episodes of BUZZ 🐝 featuring Southwest Virginia Ballet’s marketing makeover by Carrie Cousins and an update to our pilot featuring Healing Strides of VA and 5 Points Creative. The shows air August 5 (SVB) and August 12 (Healing Strides) at 7 pm on Blue Ridge PBS, with two more episodes still in development that will air August 19 and August 26. All four show are being underwritten by James Pearman of Partners in Financial Planning. Stay tuned to our plans to host watch parties at the Grandin Theater!

BUZZ reveals this week at Mill Mountain Zoo and Southwest Virginia Ballet

 BUZZ reveals this week at Mill Mountain Zoo and Southwest Virginia Ballet 1024 768 Michael Hemphill

After nonprofit “rebranding on steroids” campaigns coordinated by our friends at Wordsprint and Carrie Cousins, BUZZ is excited about the reveals at Southwest Virginia Ballet on June 30 and Mill Mountain Zoo on July 1. The reveals will wrap up our shooting on these two episodes, which will air in August on Blue Ridge PBS. Stay tuned!

Podcast: Website Development For Nonprofits with Carrie Cousins

 Podcast: Website Development For Nonprofits with Carrie Cousins 960 720 Michael Hemphill

Your nonprofit may not get a second chance — online at least — to make a first impression. Carrie Cousins offers these tools to weave your best website in this episode of “Inside the Hive” podcast by BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill. Carrie is communications director at Roanoke Regional Partnership, a Certified Digital Economic Development Marketer, and board member of the American Advertising Federation of Roanoke.

Listen now to BUZZ: Inside the Hive