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BUZZ Episode 9 featuring Virginia 811

 BUZZ Episode 9 featuring Virginia 811 600 337 Michael Hemphill

As originally broadcast on April 14, 2021, on Blue Ridge PBS …

You wouldn’t think underground utilities would inspire much emotion … until you meet the folks working at Virginia 811. For them, protecting the state’s electric, gas, water, sewer and telecommunications lines is as vital an act of citizenship as voting.

Helping their quest to make more Virginians “know what’s below” before before they start digging is digital marketing specialist Carrie Cousins, president of AAF Roanoke.

BUZZ | Episode 8 featuring Feeding Southwest Virginia

 BUZZ | Episode 8 featuring Feeding Southwest Virginia 600 337 Michael Hemphill

As originally aired April 7, 2021, on Blue Ridge PBS …

Feeding Southwest Virginia operates in 26 counties, serves 360 partner agencies, feeds 100,000 people a month or $30 million worth of food a year.

But there’s one number especially important this year: 40. That’s the number of years that the nonprofit has been serving the region in 2021.

Helping Feeding Southwest Virginia celebrate this milestone is Access Advertising, joined by BOSS Motion Picture Company and Boyd Pearman Photography … with a couple of other surprises from the region’s leaders.

Wells Fargo Tower celebrates Feeding Southwest Virginia for BUZZ

 Wells Fargo Tower celebrates Feeding Southwest Virginia for BUZZ 600 334 Michael Hemphill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2021 (Roanoke, Va.) – The Wells Fargo Tower in downtown Roanoke, Virginia, will be lit in orange and green Thursday through Monday in celebration of Feeding Southwest Virginia’s 40th anniversary.

The special lighting in the nonprofit’s colors came at the request of the television show BUZZ, which airs on Blue Ridge PBS throughout Southwest Virginia and on VPM in Richmond, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. BUZZ features nonprofit organizations receiving pro bono marketing expertise so that they can attract more buzz and, with it, more donors, volunteers and clients to their cause.

To help commemorate Feeding Southwest Virginia’s 40th year, Access Advertising & Public Relations — joined by BOSS Motion Picture Company and Boyd Pearman Photography — is donating a comprehensive campaign of videos, social media, newsletters and events to mark the milestone throughout the year.

“For 40 years, and especially this past year with COVID-19, Feeding Southwest Virginia has been on the frontlines of our region’s efforts fighting hunger, providing food for 100,000 people a month through 360 partner agencies in 26 counties,” said BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill. “We are excited to kickoff our 2021 season by featuring such an incredible organization.”

BUZZ thanks Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group, the tower’s leasing and management firm, for honoring the lighting request, which will be included in the episode that airs April 7.

Other new episodes include:

April 14 (Virginia811 with Carrie Cousins): You wouldn’t think underground utilities would inspire much emotion … until you meet the folks working at Virginia 811. For them, protecting the state’s electric, gas, water, sewer and telecommunications lines is as vital an act of citizenship as voting. Helping their quest to make more Virginians “know what’s below” before they start digging is digital marketing specialist Carrie Cousins, president of AAF Roanoke.

April 28 (Giles County Foster Care with 5Points Creative): Like most places in Virginia, rural Giles County has been trying to help too many foster children with too few homes. Many must be placed in other counties hours away from their families, schools, friends and other services, exacerbating an already traumatic experience. Thankfully, 5Points Creative in Roanoke has worked in this world, having recently helped DePaul Community Resources recruit more foster families to its cause. Together — along with a familiar face from a previous episode of BUZZ — they provide Giles County with resources … and hope.

May 5 (Blue Ridge Women’s Center with Mel Wheeler, Inc.): A woman confronting an unexpected pregnancy too often doesn’t know where to turn. Blue Ridge Women’s Center wants her to turn to them and their resources that support her pregnancy, her transition to motherhood, or her decision to make an adoption plan. Through an array of radio stations and digital marketing pros, Mel Wheeler, Inc., is spreading the nonprofit’s mission to help women “feel empowered to make the best decision for themselves and their families.”

BUZZ is a program of AAF Roanoke, produced by Dan Mirolli, danmirolliphotography.com, and is sponsored in part by the The Virginia Film Office.

# # #

Contact:
Michael Hemphill | Creator of Buzz
www.buzz4good.com
michael@buzz4good.com
540.556.2879

Introducing “Nonprofit Marketing” Videos

 Introducing “Nonprofit Marketing” Videos 600 338 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ — our inspiring TV show that features the great work nonprofit organizations do in our country — now presents a new video series, NONPROFIT MARKETING from Buzz4Good.

Here we share from our show the marketing expertise from our team of creative professionals to help YOUR nonprofit attract more donors, volunteers and clients to your cause.

YOUR WEBSITE is your nonprofit’s calling card! You want it to be as professional as your organization. SPIN YOU BEST NONPROFIT WEBSITE features digital marketing specialist Carrie Cousins​, helping a nonprofit overcome its website woes. See original episode here.

BUZZ “shines” at Advertising Awards Gala

 BUZZ “shines” at Advertising Awards Gala 600 450 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill was awarded the inaugural SHINE AWARD at Thursday’s Western Virginia American Advertising Awards Gala, hosted by AAF Roanoke.

The 2020-21 award was presented in recognition of BUZZ’ public service work helping nonprofit organizations through its TV show that airs on Blue Ridge PBS and, starting in April, on VPM public television serving Richmond-Charlottesville-Harrisonsburg.

“Our work wouldn’t be possible, though, without the American Advertising Federation of Roanoke and its membership of incredible marketing professionals who donate their time and talent to the nonprofits we feature,” says Hemphill. “They are the people who really shine on BUZZ.” 

Hemphill also credits his director of photography and editing, Dan Mirolli, “who brings the shine to our production in every episode.”

Now You can be in every episode

 Now You can be in every episode 600 408 Michael Hemphill

Now you can literally be in every episode of BUZZ and help us feature even more nonprofits on our inspiring TV show!

BECOME A BUZZ HIVE MEMBER

As a BUZZ HIVE member through Patreon (for as little as $5/month) you’ll support our production costs AND enjoy exclusive membership benefits:

🐝 ON-SCREEN credit after every episode
🐝 SNEAK PEEKS at upcoming shows
🐝 Unique BUZZ merch
🐝 Access to POLLS to choose our next nonprofit
🐝 Behind-the-scenes VIDEOS on location
🐝 And more.

Your membership will provide a sustaining source of support so we can bring BUZZ — now airing on Blue Ridge PBS and VPM — to more worthy charitable organizations.

THANK YOU!

Final BUZZ of 2020 airs Dec. 16

 Final BUZZ of 2020 airs Dec. 16 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ Episode 7 featuring eastern Montgomery County’s Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation premiers Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7 pm, on Blue Ridge PBS.

You’re invited to join the BUZZ production team for an online Watch Party via Zoom, starting at 6:45 pm. After the episode, there will be a Q&A with creator Michael Hemphill, director of photography Dan Mirolli, the team from Wordsprint that provided MVCF with its pro bono marketing makeover, and MVCF board members.

JOIN WATCH PARTY

Watch Party sponsored by Branch Builds.

About the episode:

Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation has made eastern Montgomery County, Virginia, the “community that could.” Over the last 15 years MVCF has redeveloped an abandoned nursing home into a wellness center, community center, museum and library; transformed an old fire station into a food pantry and thrift shop; created Old Town Fields concert venue out of a former high school football field; and founded the Eastmont Tomato Festival.

But with all their many ventures that go by different names — plus the added confusion of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline — MVCF was looking for a makeover. Guiding the nonprofit with a pro bono rebranding are our friends from Wordsprint, who helped Mill Mountain Zoo in Episode 3.

Funding for this episode was provided by:
– James E. Pearman Jr. & Partners in Financial Planning
– Dr. and Mrs. George R. Smith, Jr.
– Kate and Brennan Stewart

Episode 5 of BUZZ

 Episode 5 of BUZZ 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

Now playing on Blue Ridge PBS and our YouTube channel: Episode 5 of BUZZ featuring Southwest Virginia Ballet REDUX!

Since being featured on the first episode of BUZZ in August 2020, Southwest Virginia Ballet has done amazing work leveraging both its marketing makeover by digital specialist Carrie Cousins, Wordsprint and Press Press Merch, and its new relationship with Blue Ridge PBS … a good partner to have during a pandemic when your main event of the year is a live performance in front of a packed auditorium.

Created and hosted by Michael Hemphill, this episode features Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s David Stewart Wiley, Anderson Music Therapy, and iconic locations in Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge including Taubman Museum of Art, The Hotel Roanoke, Berglund Center and Mill Mountain Star.

BUZZ receives Virginia Film Office Sponsorship

 BUZZ receives Virginia Film Office Sponsorship 1024 505 Michael Hemphill

The Virginia Film Office has awarded BUZZ a prestigious sponsorship to continue production of our inspiring new television show in 2021.

“We are excited to support production of … BUZZ in Virginia, and we look forward to providing assistance on many levels, financial and logistical,” said Andrew Edmunds, Virginia Film Office director.

VFO’s support will help underwrite production of five new episodes featuring the great work nonprofits do in our communities, and the marketing professionals who help these life-giving organizations attract more donors and volunteers to their cause. Thank you Virginia Film Office! Virginia is for Film Lovers!

Meanwhile, three new episodes of BUZZ begin airing soon on Blue Ridge PBS:

Wednesday, December 2, 7 pm
Since being featured on the first episode of BUZZ in August 2020, Southwest Virginia Ballet has done amazing work leveraging both its marketing makeover by digital specialist Carrie Cousins and Wordsprint, and its new relationship with Blue Ridge PBS … a good partner to have during a pandemic when your main event of the year is a live performance in front of a packed auditorium. See original episode.

Wednesday, December 9, 7 pm
A day shelter for people suffering from homelessness, RAM House (Roanoke Area Ministries) came into episode 4 of BUZZ in August 2020 desperately seeking a younger generation of donors and volunteers. Since its appearance, RAM House has reaped many blessings from the pro bono digital marketing campaign from Wheeler Digital … chief among them, a new board member, plus a deeper partnership from its new #RamFam at Roanoke Catholic School! See original episode.

Wednesday, December 16, 7 pm
Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation has made eastern Montgomery County, Virginia, the “community that could.” Over the last 15 years MVCF has redeveloped an abandoned nursing home into a wellness center, community center, museum and library; transformed an old fire station into a food pantry and thrift shop; created Old Town Fields concert venue out of a former high school football field; and founded the Eastmont Tomato Festival. Guiding the nonprofit with a pro bono rebranding are our friends from Wordsprint, who helped Mill Mountain Zoo in Episode 3. 

The episode featuring Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation is sponsored in part by Branch Builds.

https://branchbuilds.com

Election 2020 Message from BUZZ4Good

 Election 2020 Message from BUZZ4Good 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

“It’s cliche by now to call 2020 unprecedented … but the year has certainly offered a litany of struggles. At the same time, I look back and see that this year has also brought about BUZZ, my TV show that highlights the great work nonprofits do in our community … and the marketing pros who help them do more and better.

“Now here in 2020 we are coming up on Election Day. So much energy and resources have been poured into making sure people cast their vote by Nov. 3. And while that’s certainly important, there’s so much more that needs to be done in our country … hard work for which November 3 is just the beginning. It’s like thinking that the effort to make a good and long-lasting marriage ends on your wedding day.

“No, regardless of who wins this year’s election, there is substantial work that needs to be done by all of us to really make America great. I’ve said it frequently on BUZZ4Good’s TV show, podcast and social media, our political and governmental institutions seem to be failing, but our nonprofit organizations have increasingly stepped up to address the real issues in our communities: homelessness, racial injustice, the environment, health and income disparities, art and culture.

“As dark as this year has been, I’m asking this of everyone tuning in here … all the passion and energy and money that you’ve expended on our current politics … that after Election Day you devote the same amount and more to our country’s people through our nonprofit organizations. Together let’s all aspire to be a buzz4good in our communities.”