Problem. February 2020. Covid-19 stopped all the physical contacts in one night. Worksites, restaurants, bars. Teams, Zoom, Meet – all new to everyone at a time. How to meet in face to face and keep the spirit up, when you can’t even go into a bar?

Solution. A virtual bar. Coded in the very first days of Covid-19 lockdown. Initially for the internal use of Helsinki-based advertising agency, but a week later for the whole of Finland. Resulting in a social phenomenon and a continuously developing platform for people, companies, and organizations to use.

Results. 4,7 M people were reached in a country of 5,5 M people. 9 min 50 sec average visit time. 5,142 private and public bars created during the first months. 35 tailored spaces for businesses, NGO associations, and national holidays And, 38,772 dances danced and 31,442 beers ordered.

Implementation: A browser-based virtual bar, open for everyone, free of charge. Built on browsers’ own functions, using device own camera and microphone. Can be used on any device, as laptops, mobile phones and mobile pads.

Placement: Online. Private and open bars (e.g., rooms) for users to join or to create. Little bit like Clubhouse (an audio-based social media app) today, but with video.

Scale: 4,7 M people were reached in a country of 5,5 M people. The platform itself scales endlessly as users can create their own digital bars and rooms.

Brand relevance: Agency own promotion, but also a fun platform for Finns, tailored spaces for businesses, NGO associations, and national holidays

Materials, style elements, design choices: Fun, a bit cheek, easy going, easy to use for everyone.

Touch points: Online

Methods and process: Built and maintained all by agency own digital expertise.

Timeline: March 2020 – to date