Virtual Cheers
Using Zoom backgrounds to raise funds for NYC bars during Covid-19,
earning an estimated $50,000 in staff donations and national news coverage.
Service
Creative Lead, Social, Digital, PR
Client
NYC Hospitality Alliance
Press & Awards
New York Times, NY1 News, Time Out New York
![Bars_NYC_RXM.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b58018_7ae26e445e7746138681695bc2542cb3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_892,h_404,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/b58018_7ae26e445e7746138681695bc2542cb3~mv2.jpg)
CHALLENGE:
The Covid 19 pandemic impacted many businesses, but none more than bars and restaurants. Places that rely on in-person interactions to survive. In NY especially, a record number of bars closed, and many hospitality workers were left without a source of income. We partnered with the NYC Hospitality Alliance to do something about it.
SOLUTION
VirtualCheers.org is a platform that encourages people to download a Zoom background of their favorite bar, donate to their staff relief fund and have virtual meetings in the bar with their friends. 150+ New York bars have applied, and the idea made national news, including New York Times and TV.
![Virtual_Cheers_News_Strip.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b58018_7d3c89d468f9470dacf52e21c1f48a25~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_69,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/b58018_7d3c89d468f9470dacf52e21c1f48a25~mv2.jpg)
![Phone_Screen.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b58018_0a0fcf6401e54cb599eb0c08f79f71d5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_367,h_731,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Phone_Screen.png)
![New_York_Times_Virtual_Cheers_RXM copy.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b58018_690e694e7bc64429af77a80aff4ff14c~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_66,w_2192,h_1595/fill/w_940,h_684,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/New_York_Times_Virtual_Cheers_RXM%20copy.jpg)
Over 45,000 users in the first week
Virtual Cheers took off instantly, with over 45,000 global users in the first week.
![Virtual_Cheers_Users_RXM-2.gif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b58018_a07ac4c3945e4f8abf5ca539803f1e14~mv2.gif)
![Phone_Screen.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b58018_0a0fcf6401e54cb599eb0c08f79f71d5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_346,h_689,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Phone_Screen.png)