koalas of las vegas

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In the summer of 2019/2020, Australia was ravaged by its worst bush fire season on record. 1 billion of the country’s unique wildlife were killed. In January 2020, plush koalas were placed in  prominent locations all over New York City. Attached to each koala was a  QR code directing folks to donate to Australia’s largest wildlife  rescue and rehabilitation charity, WIRES.

Koalas of NYC took the world by storm. The campaign was championed by people all over, bringing  the initiative to London, LA, Las Vegas, and beyond. Overwhelming  global demand prompted the toy supplier to donate proceeds from koala  purchases to the cause, driving a record number of plush sales, all  while captivating a social audience and garnering worldwide media attention.

With over 140 cities participating, a donation target exceeded by over 400%, and over 1.9 billion people reached.  Koalas of NYC became a universal symbol of compassion to save the world's most  unique animals.

Tatiana Fox, an Australian living in Las Vegas, decided to bring the campaign to the valley because of her love for Australia. The koalas are being left in 10 different locations. People are encouraged to take a  picture with one of the koalas. A yellow tag attached to the stuffed animal gives information on how to donate to the cause.  

Just 72 hours from concept to execution, Koalas of NYC went from activation to global advocacy in just 23 days. Results achieved include:

• Over 1.9 billion people reached 
• Over 9.4 million impressions
• 160+ news outlets worldwide
• Activation in over 140 cities 
• A donation target exceeded by 400%

Koalas of NYC has been enshrined in the National Library of Australia  as part of the library’s ephemera collection that captures the “amazing  assistance and support received from across the globe in response to  the devastating bush fires.”