The story of This Man started gaining attention from internet users and the press in 2009.[1][2] It was not until October of that year that views of the site skyrocketed.[7] In a short period of time, it garnered more than two million visits and 10,000-plus emails from others sharing experiences with This Man and sending photos of those who looked like him.[8] On October 12, 2009, comedian Tim Heidecker made a Twitter post about This Man, tweeting that it was "scaring the shit outta me."[9] While Natella's previous marketing stunts only garnered local attention, This Man was the first time he performed a stunt that spread across the globe.[6]