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NEWS RELEASE – Watch Party on March 29 celebrates 30th Episode of BUZZ 749 299 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 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.
BUZZ stars Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia 900 483 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ stars Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia

As broadcast on Blue Ridge PBS on Jan. 18, 2023 … our 27th episode of BUZZ features Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia!

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia offers a safe place to learn and grow, plus life-enhancing programs and character development experiences for hundreds of schoolchildren. 

Within its 11 sites in Roanoke, Salem, Montgomery and Franklin counties, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia promotes the development of boys and girls by instilling “a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging, and a sense of influence.”

In need of a digital overhaul, Boys & Girls Clubs receives a website upgrade from BUZZ partner and marketing magician Carrie Cousins.

Funding for this BUZZ is provided by:

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill featured in Valley Business FRONT 532 900 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill featured in Valley Business FRONT

Two weeks ago, Tom Field, publisher of Valley Business FRONT, called to say he wanted to put me on the cover of the December issue. I was of course honored, but also prepared when the issue finally arrived.

What truly surprised and touched me were Tom’s words inside.

Hemphill started his marketing and development support business for nonprofits right when COVID-19 hit … he’s our FRONTList leader because of the creative and noble strategies he culled to produce one of the best entrepreneurial pursuits we’ve covered.

At the very time many would think there is no way to capitalize on community service organizations (who are always challenged and were often already struggling), Hemphill completely re-crafted an idea from Roanoke’s AAF advertising club (Createathon) where collaboration is used to develop publicity and awareness and fundraising to bolster and completely upgrade select nonprofits.

Specifically, his Buzz television show (on Blue Ridge PBS; third season), documentary, podcast, and other communications (from his journalism experience) serve as the main production to accomplish the upgrades and move organizations a big step up. The majority of funding comes from sponsors and intense, hard-earned connections.

It’s public service, indeed; but it’s also a business, no question. Well-deserved of our spotlight.

Valley Business FRONT – December 2022

None of this would have been possible without you and the many partners we’re fortunate to have in our Hive:

  • AAF Roanoke’s incredible marketing pros;
  • Our production partner: Dan Mirolli Photography;
  • Our broadcast partners Blue Ridge PBS and WFIR;
  • Countless sponsors and donors who believe in our cause;
  • And of course the nonprofits we’re privileged to feature in each episode of our TV and radio show.

So in this season of thankfulness, I thank you all – and Valley Business FRONT – for supporting our mission!

Michael Hemphill
Creator & Host

BUZZ + FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Watch Party 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ + FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Watch Party
Join us at Parkway Brewery’s “Pints for a Purpose” on November 30 and watch the premier of our newest BUZZ starring the nonprofit FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge! $1 of every beer bought will support FRIENDS.

BUZZ Watch Party - The Hokie Way

Name
For much of its history, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge focused its efforts on helping the National Park Service maintain vistas and hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But in 2020 the National Park Service ended the partnership, inspiring FRIENDS to pivot and expand its mission beyond the parkway to the communities of the Blue Ridge from Waynesboro, Va., to Asheville, N.C.


That pivot includes celebrating the region’s musical heritage by hosting the first-ever Blue Ridge Jamboree, an annual event with multiple shows in the communities where FRIENDS chapters are located. The 2022-23 Jamboree features “Doc Watson at 100” with performances by Wayne Henderson, Jack Lawrence, T. Michael Coleman and Jack Hinshelwood.

New to BUZZ, Big Lick Entertainment donates its time and expertise to help plan and promote the Jamboree.