Connecting in Crisis: Texting That Won 2 GOLD Pollie Awards

How peer-to-peer texting became a community lifeline after Hurricane Helene

This year, we brought home two Gold Pollie Awards - the highest honor in the political campaign industry. Hosted by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), the Pollies recognize the most effective, creative, and impactful political work nationwide. Gold is awarded to only a small percentage of top-performing entries each year.

Awarded Categories:

🏅 Gold: Best Use of Mobile Technology (M04)
🏅 Gold: Best Use of Mobile Application/Technology (E08)

While the Pollies recognize excellence in the realm of politics, this recognition goes far beyond partisan lines. Our collaboration with Gipper Strategies, LLC and Representative John McCravy (SC-HD13) transformed P2P texting into a vital emergency response tool in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

We’re incredibly proud to have been part of a texting project that delivered more than results. In the face of crisis, technology and humanity came together to provide real-time support, connection, and hope to a community in need.

The Challenge: A Community in the Dark

When Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast in September 2024, it left a path of destruction in its wake. Greenwood County, located in South Carolina, was hit hard - the power went out, roads were blocked, and internet access was completely down. Thousands of residents were left cut off from information and emergency services.

With both public infrastructure and public services overwhelmed on top of disrupted communication channels, there was no clear way to reach the people who needed help most. The moment called for fast, direct and human-centered outreach.

The Solution: Direct and Personal Communication

As emergency services scrambled to act, Representative McCravy made a decision that would change everything: he would reach out directly to his community to personally coordinate essential post-disaster aid.

By using texting, he was able to bypass disrupted infrastructure and deliver messages directly into the hands of residents. 

In just hours, texts were sent to all 16,478 mobile numbers in Greenwood County - no targeting by party, age, or voter history. Everyone was included because everyone mattered.

Each message was personal in tone and packed with critical information: links to local shelters and food banks, contact numbers for urgent help, and most meaningfully, McCravy’s personal phone number.

The response was overwhelming. McCravy’s phone rang for days. Hundreds of residents reached out - not just to ask for help, but to feel seen. He answered every call, working with local police and aid organizations to get food, restore power, and coordinate rescues. In some cases, his outreach succeeded where official systems had failed.

A Real-Life Example: A 200-Year-Old Oak Crashed Down

Eddie Coleman and his wife were inside their Greenwood County home when a 200-year-old oak tree collapsed onto their roof. Eddie was struck in the head by falling debris and knocked down but thankfully avoided serious injury.

Earlier that day, they had received a text from Representative McCravy. It included key emergency resources and, crucially, his personal cell phone number. That single message became their lifeline. They used it to reach out directly, and the response was immediate. Rescue efforts were coordinated, and they received the help they needed quickly, demonstrating the power of direct and timely communication in a crisis.

How P2P Texting Cut Through the Chaos

Our platform made it possible for Rep. McCravy’s team to reach thousands of residents with urgent, personalized updates - fast.

Our transparent dashboard provided the team with real-time visibility into every text sent, including topline statistics, message progress, and instant alerts to flag any issues. Additional features, such as custom short links, targeting tools, and delivery tracking helped the campaign move quickly, stay organized, and adapt on the fly for maximum impact.

Below are real replies from individuals impacted by the storm and the real message sent by Rep. McCravy:

Real Text Example & Replies

The Results: Impact That Goes Beyond Awards: 

This campaign didn’t just inform - it delivered tangible results. Lives were touched. Aid was delivered. People felt supported in moments of desperation and crisis.

For many, McCravy’s text was the first time any civic authority had ever reached out to them after the storm had passed, let alone followed up. The trust built in that moment carried forward.

And the numbers reflect that. Representative McCravy was re-elected by a commanding 48.5 percent margin -  winning by 8,824 votes.



This campaign wasn’t about numbers. It was about showing up when it mattered most. That’s the kind of leadership voters remember.

The Bottom Line:

These two Pollie Awards reflect more than innovation -  they mark a true triumph made possible by great teamwork, perfect timing, and tools that deliver.

P2P texting has proven time and again to be a game-changer - empowering campaigns and leaders to move fast, communicate clearly, and show up when it matters most.

This campaign is a testament to the impact of texting when used with purpose and precision. We’re grateful for the trust, collaboration and bold execution that made this possible.

Let’s keep raising the bar - together.