Drinks brand Jagermeister is offering to liven up consumers' virtual parties in the time of lockdown with an online talent-booking service, which will also serve as a helping hand to the many thousands of unemployed bartenders, artists and creatives out there.

The "Save the Night" initiative, created via agency Engine, lets people book so-called "Meister Drop-ins," choosing from a network of different people who can provide anything from DJ sets to cocktail masterclasses, music or creative performances . They can then book them, for free, to "drop-in" to their parties on Skype, Zoom or Houseparty for 20 minutes. These "Meisters" are paid by Jägermeister for their appearance and can also be tipped by the party-goers via PayPal. 

“Meister Drop-ins take a completely different approach to other drink brand activations that ask the audience to come to them," said Engine Chief Content Officer Dave Roberts in a statement. "We're taking the talent to our audience, on their terms, while also creating an income stream for that talent."

“As a family-owned business, the solidarity that is so essential is a matter of heart to us, especially when times are hard," added Michael Volke, Chairman of the Executive Board of Mast-Jägermeister SE. "Our brand and our company have been built in co-operation with passionate meister mixologists, bartenders, musicians and artists. For us it is self-evident that we now give back to them by implementing this hands-on initiative.”