It’s election season in the US, andZulu Alpha Kilo NY’s tradition of unconventional, cause-driven work rooted in the city’s culture continues to support the idea of voting. The agency has created a series of 25 collectible merit badges that allow New Yorkers towear their city pride on their sleeve – literally.
The playful ode to New York City features the experiences that make someone a true New Yorker, with all proceeds supporting GoVoteNYC, a non-partisan organisation dedicated to educating, engaging, and mobilizing voters in New York City.
From crying openly in public to hauling a couch to your fifth-floor walk-up, the badges are a whimsical nod to the rites of passage earned by New Yorkers across all five boroughs.
“Living in New York has always been a badge of honour. We just finally made it official,” stated Meghan Mullen, managing director at Z.A.K. NY. “As a Brooklyn-based agency, these badges are our love letter to the city—and a rallying cry to show up and vote like a true New Yorker.”
Each vintage-inspired badge, designed by New York illustrator Clara Kirkpatrick and produced locally, captures a unique “achievement” only New Yorkers understand. The iron-on badges honour the street smarts, small joys, and shared absurdities of life in the city.
They are in equal parts charming, nostalgic, and proudly unhinged – just like New York itself.
Previous work for GoVoteNYC includs 2023’s Splash Spots for Street Lab in partnership with Group Project.
“We love that GoVoteNYC is dedicated to getting New Yorkers engaged in the civic process,” stated Tim Gordon, chief creative officer and partner at Z.A.K. NY. “These merit badges are about leaning into that pride while celebrating the humour and heart of the city we call home.”
The full set of 25 badges will be available starting October 28, 2025, at https://www.nycmeritbadge.com, while supplies last.
Credits
Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo NY
CCO & Partner: Tim Gordon
Executive Creative Director: Chris Colliton
Copywriter: Emula Aldin
Art Director: Alice Qu
Head of Strategy: Emily Garvey
Senior Strategists: Jordan Alperin & Khalied Bashri
Managing Director: Meghan Mullen
Account Director: Anya Markowitz
Director of Integrated Production: Ola Stodulska
Senior Producer: Chris Greenberg
Illustrator: Clara Kirkpatrick
Business Affairs: Russ Nadler @ Hailstorm
