When Sean Dolan started Ascendgence (which later rolled into PushFire), he wanted to create a campaign to use as a case study when talking with potential clients. Then the idea hit him – he would attempt to help get a homeless person off the streets by using the power of the web to bring one man’s plight to the attention of the American people.
What he did: Sean found Tim Edwards (who had been homeless for five years due to his alcohol addiction) and told him his idea. Tim was on board. Together with his former partner, Sean created the PimpThisBum.com website and began promoting a strategic campaign surrounding the website and Tim in the Houston area and on the web.
Results: The campaign received international attention and was featured on CBS News, CNN.com, The Guardian (UK), Fox & Friends, Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) and multiple other national and international news outlets via both televised broadcasts and online web coverage.
Pimp This Bum raised over $100,000 dollars in three months. Tim received in patient alcohol treatment, job training, housing, counseling and assistance to help with his transition off the streets.
Today, Tim Edwards is 6+ years sober.
