Until a few weeks ago, Tim Edwards was just another one of the men begging for change at a Houston underpass, ignored by most drivers who sped on past without a glance. Now, thanks to an internet marketing campaign and unlikely allies, Edwards has become the human face of homelessness to thousands of online viewers drawn to his website by its deliberately controversial name - Pimp This Bum.
During regular webcasts, visitors to http://www.pimpthisbum.com/ ask questions about Edwards' life and his slow fall from office manager with a home, a car, and a future to an outcast short of hope. The website also is a venue where visitors can donate money, services and goods to help Edwards yank himself out of homelessness.
"We wanted to insult people's sensitivities so that they would go to the site and see Tim, and people seem to have fallen in love with him," said Kevin Dolan, 55, a marketing specialist who started the website with his 24-year-old son, Sean.
Visitors to the website are getting to know Edwards beyond the stereotype of an anonymous group labeled "The Homeless." "I'm the world's first online bum," jokes Edwards, a lanky, bearded 37-year-old.
This coming week, Edwards will enter an alcohol detox program at Sunray Treatment and Recovery, providing the program free of charge. There are plans to air webcasts as Edwards goes through the program.
During regular webcasts, visitors to http://www.pimpthisbum.com/ ask questions about Edwards' life and his slow fall from office manager with a home, a car, and a future to an outcast short of hope. The website also is a venue where visitors can donate money, services and goods to help Edwards yank himself out of homelessness.
"We wanted to insult people's sensitivities so that they would go to the site and see Tim, and people seem to have fallen in love with him," said Kevin Dolan, 55, a marketing specialist who started the website with his 24-year-old son, Sean.
Visitors to the website are getting to know Edwards beyond the stereotype of an anonymous group labeled "The Homeless." "I'm the world's first online bum," jokes Edwards, a lanky, bearded 37-year-old.
This coming week, Edwards will enter an alcohol detox program at Sunray Treatment and Recovery, providing the program free of charge. There are plans to air webcasts as Edwards goes through the program.
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