Taking Viewers on a Virtual Walk to End Bladder Cancer
By Jennifer P
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting patients and advancing bladder cancer research, transformed its traditional annual fundraising walk into a virtual event. With the aim of engaging a widespread audience and maintaining cost-effectiveness, BCAN collaborated with Social180Group, which introduced a remote production workflow solution centered around LiveU Studio—a cloud-based, all-in-one solution.
The transition from in-person walks to a virtual format was crucial for BCAN’s mission, ensuring continued support for those affected by bladder cancer. The organization sought to not only raise funds but also maintain a connection with participants and provide an immersive experience. Social180Group’s solution, featuring LiveU Studio, enabled the creation of a high-quality, multi-camera live stream of the virtual walk, distributed across various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
The remote production workflow not only addressed the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic but also introduced a level of flexibility and creativity previously unattainable with traditional onsite production. The use of LiveU Studio, along with an integration partnership with Dizplai, facilitated the incorporation of dynamic and interactive elements into the live stream. This included graphic templates, logos, sponsor information, titles, and more, enriching the overall viewer experience.
The broadcast featured diverse content, ranging from video-on-demand and live interviews to pictures and testimonials. Dizplai’s live graphics and engagement platform played a crucial role by displaying real-time social media comments on the live stream, creating an interactive L-Bar overlay. This allowed hosts to acknowledge and highlight audience comments, adding a personal touch to the virtual event.
The virtual walk showcased participants from various locations, musical performances by bladder cancer patients and caregivers, and cameo appearances by bladder cancer doctors, patients, and advocates. The success of the live program was evident in the incremental increase in viewer numbers and active engagement from sponsors within the live stream chat.
One notable aspect of the solution’s success was the unparalleled cost-savings achieved through the remote production spanning two continents. Talent, producers, technical directors, and graphics crew members were able to work from the comfort of their home offices, eliminating the need for extensive travel and on-site logistics. Mark Story, Communications Director for BCAN, emphasized the significance of the cloud-based workflow in providing the flexibility and creativity required to produce a high-quality live program that resonated with a global audience. The virtual walk not only met its fundraising goals but also effectively conveyed the human element of BCAN’s cause in a compelling and cost-effective manner.
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