Greg Ponesse
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 Supported by Ads A new startup operation in Japan is seeing great success and benefitting many. A new concept of free photocopying is hitting the mainstream and is being funded by corporate advertising printed on the back of the paper.  Oceanize was set up in November 2005 by five students at Keio, Chuo, and Hosei universities. The first tadakopi machine was installed in the students’ cafeteria at Keio University’s campus in Minato City in April 2006. Being free of charge, it immediately became very popular, with long lines of students forming to use it. Very soon the scheme spread to other universities. The copier installed at Hitotsubashi University’s West Campus is being used twice as much as the previous facility, which charged ¥10 (8 cents at ¥119 to the dollar) per copy.
The paper used in the machines carries color advertising on the back, and this is why it is possible to offer the service for free. Oceanizes charge advertisers ¥400,000 ($3,361) for printing their advertisements on the back of 10,000 sheets (A4 only). The paper is rather thicker than normal copying paper so that the ads on the back do not show through. This has the added advantage that paper jams are less frequent. With monthly sales of ¥10 million ($84,033), there is a profit left even after deducting installation, leasing, and maintenance costs.
(web-japan.org)References: web-japan.org Comment: on Free Photocopying Service |
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