# Michael Bellavia

> Michael Bellavia is the Los Angeles-based founder and CEO of HelpGood, a social impact marketing and communications agency. An Emmy-winning producer and former Animax executive, he co-organized the 2012 Million Puppet March, co-founded Night Light Interactive, and has worked for years on Smokey Bear’s social media voice.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at HelpGood
- **Organizations:** HelpGood, Animax Entertainment, Night Light Interactive, Million Puppet March, Tiny Sweaters, Brave Trails, Producers Guild of America, Forbes Nonprofit Council
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BS in Engineering, University of Michigan, MBA, Columbia Business School
- **Known for:** Emmy-winning producer associated with the 2006 Sports Emmy-winning Off-Mikes series from Animax and ESPN.com., Gold Smokey Bear Award recipient, personally and for HelpGood, as confirmed by the agency biography., Co-organized the Million Puppet March supporting public broadcasting in Washington, D.C., on November 3, 2012.

## Career timeline

- **2002-2017** — Led Animax Entertainment; later public biographies identify him as its former CEO.
- **2006** — Was Animax general manager when Animax and ESPN.com won a Sports Emmy for Off-Mikes, presented May 1, 2006.
- **2009** — Animax reached No. 402 on the Inc. 500 list under his leadership.
- **2012** — Co-founded Night Light Interactive with David Logan and co-organized the November 3 Million Puppet March with Chris Mecham.
- **2014** — Received a Gold Smokey Bear Award; began advising Brave Trails, according to his LinkedIn profile.
- **2016** — HelpGood was established, according to Inc. and the agency’s capabilities statement.
- **2017** — Began serving as HelpGood CEO according to public employment biographies.
- **2024** — HelpGood ranked No. 1,988 on the Inc. 5000 and became a Women’s Empowerment Principles signatory.
- **2025** — HelpGood ranked No. 2,193 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2026** — HelpGood ranked No. 77 on Inc. Regionals Pacific with reported two-year growth of 82%.

## Achievements

- Emmy-winning producer associated with the 2006 Sports Emmy-winning Off-Mikes series from Animax and ESPN.com.
- Gold Smokey Bear Award recipient, personally and for HelpGood, as confirmed by the agency biography.
- Co-organized the Million Puppet March supporting public broadcasting in Washington, D.C., on November 3, 2012.
- Led HelpGood during its 2024 and 2025 Inc. 5000 listings and its 2026 Inc. Regionals Pacific listing.
- Former chair of the Producers Guild of America New Media Council.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — His Forbes Nonprofit Council profile lists an October 1 contribution to How To Find Better-Fit Donors Beyond Wealth Indicators.
- **2026-09** — His Forbes profile lists contributions on transferable for-profit skills and startup tactics for nonprofit teams.
- **2025-12** — Published a year-end HelpGood reflection on how political shifts and AI were affecting nonprofit communications and fundraising; emphasized preparation and ongoing relationships.

## Links

- Website: https://about.me/mrbellavia
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbellavia
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/mrbellavia
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/michaelbellavia
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mrbellavia.bsky.social
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mrbellavia
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mrbellavia

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-bellavia
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22