Vending Machine Marketing?

What will they think of next?  According to an article published by AmOnline.com, we will be seeing multi-promotional vending machines anywhere from colleges to shopping malls. AmOnline.com is an online version of Automatic Merchandiser Magazine that provides information about all types of vending industries.  "Vending Takes New Role in Marketing Promotions" by Elliot Maras introduces us to the new marketing world that involves using vending machines as promotional outlets. 

Now, I don't know about you, but all I've ever used a vending machine for was a soda and maybe a bag of chips.  But conventional vending items are not the only things we are seeing in them now.  Companies are beginning to look at vending as a way to get consumers to buy a wide variety of products from TV and financial services to even vacation packages!  Recently there have been devices developed that attach to existing vending machines that do more than just dispense soda.  They are touch screen video screens and coupon dispensers that allow marketers to reach consumers anywhere you can put a vending machine.  However, when first introduced, there was some concern raised about being able to reach consumers everywhere there is a machine. (Such as offices and school settings.)

The technology that is being used now was developed by Walker Digital, LLC, a company that prides itself in finding the newest ways to use technology to reach consumers.  For all of you tech savvy people, the first device was made in January of 2008 and was called the Quickstore24 TM.  This was a vending machine that had interactive video touch screens, multiple payment options, and dispensers for coupons.  In February, the SPIO system was put into use.  This device also used coupon dispensers and touch screens to provide a unique marketing outlet for products.  Coupons that are dispensed from the machine can range from a free item to $25 off of a purchase at a retail store.  SPIO also provides the dispenser at no extra cost to the vending machine operators.    As an added perk, SPIO will even provide the operator with coupons, plastic or paper.  

The article then goes on to discuss in detail the technological aspects of the vending machines themselves.  If you would like the full text please visit "Vending Takes New Role in Marketing Promotions".  I found this article very interesting and informative.  I think it is amazing how close companies can come to consumers during their everyday routines.  Something as simple as grabbing a soda from a vending machine can now be turned into an entire promotional experience!  Good or bad, think what you want, but you have to admit- that is pretty clever!