Experiential vending machines are sharing the love for free

Several FMCG brands are using the medium of The Vending Machine to engage consumers in a new way.

Rather than simply taking the dough and giving up the goodies (or not, as the case may be given the frequent unreliability of the things) these vending machines are providing imaginative and interactive experiences which reward the consumer with a free product.

Unilever ‘Share Happy’ is an ice cream vending machine that uses facial recognition software to reward smiling consumers with a free ice cream of their choice.

Britvic’s Smart Vending Machine rewards users with free bottles of drench mineral water if they succeed in completing a series of mental-agility games, flagging the brand message that your brain performs better when it’s properly hydrated.

Back in January we blogged about the Coca Cola Happiness Machine in the USA, and now it’s come to the UK (see the vid below). With a person hidden inside, it starts dispensing coke, food and games for free to unsuspecting students. The joy is evident!