(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)
There has been a lot of talk about Pepsi’s use of social media, with millions of Facebook fans and Twitter followers generated out of big budget campaigns. But this is just a little bit different, introducing the new Pepsi Social Vending Maching.
This video shows the full capabilities of the digitally-connected touch-screen social vending machine, which includes letting users send free drinks to their friends by entering your friend’s name, mobile number and personalised text message with a code redeemable at any PepsiCo vending machine. Consumers can also personalise the message with a short video recorded by the machine which is kinda cool, but seems pointless?
This is a nice concept but it seems to be lacking “real” social integration. The involvement required here for a consumer to gift or receive a free drink is quite high and it feels like the potential to spread this message via social networks is currently non-existent, with a PepsiCo rep saying that Facebook or other social integration “are Phase 2 — being explored as it evolves.”, but surely for a social vending machine that would be stage one?
I’m keen to see where they’ll take this, but importantly, what do you think it?
If my brand had that much money to spend on marketing R&D, I’d be building something like this too. Only, once we had the tech I would be using it to blow people’s minds instead of bore them to death. Cool social adaptation to a traditional retail channel, now give me a reason why anyone would jump through all those hoops
@Murray haha. Yes, I do agree.
Extremely average!
- “Hey guys, I got an idea! We should totally tell our audience that our vending machines are SOCIAL, too!’
- “WOOOO! Let’s go have lunch!”
I agree with you all – its missing that something to really make it “WOW!”
Interesting idea, but what is the larger use… the bigger picture? If this project were combined with some real social value it could be really brilliant and make a large worldwide impact:
Donations Vending Machine:
http://www.draftfcb.com/work-detail.aspx?medium=10&work=201
This vending machine allows you to donate to real individuals living in the streets in extreme poverty. Can Pepsi, or Draft combine the ideas and make something entertaining and useful? Hope so.
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Dont understand quite the idea behind, is it usefull for us audio people as well ?