What do gamers around the world and $963,000 have in common? Child’s Play, “a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in our network of over 40 hospitals worldwide. In four short years, you as a community have answered the call and come together to raise millions of dollars.” The New York Times (registrations required) recently did an interview with the founders behind this charity.
What does this have to do with PR? Directly, I would say nothing at all but indirectly it shows what two guys, Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, and an idea for helping others, and kids in the hospital at Christmas no less, can do with an online blog & web comic called Penny-Arcade (PA). The PA guys have come a long way since the late 90s and have only wanted to help out more and more people like themselves each year.
Other then posting on their blog & webcomic and creating banners other sites can host (like the one to your left) they don’t spend any money on PR or advertising. It’s all word of mouth and a community, misunderstood more times then not, coming together and helping out others in need. I think the fact they have raised between $3 and $4 million in four years, shows the power of a great idea and the backing of passionate people who want to help out. The best part is there are no administration fees as all the money raised goes right to those who need it most.
Often times I hear people complain that they couldn’t get people to believe in their idea. Child’s Play only proves that truly great ideas can rise to the top of a mountain full of half-baked and cockeyed idealisms. I’ll admit that sometimes bad ideas make it thought *cough*MySpace*cough*, however, I think in the end if you take your idea online, you can see if it works because in the end the community has spoken.
