Walkers (known as Lay's in the US) combined a snack vending machine with a bus stop and Twitter. The result? An interactive bus advertisement that dispenses a bag of potato chips when you sent it a tweet.
The unique vending machine was introduced as part of the Walkers 'Do Us a Flavor' promotion, which aims to narrow down the six finalists. In the running this year in the UK are flavors like: Steak Fajita, Chicken Curry, Pulled Pork in Sticky BBQ Sauce, Ranch Raccoon, Cheesy Beans on Toast and Hot Dog with Tomato Ketchup. The @Walkers_busstop will dispense 260 chip bags daily, encouraging the public to try out these unusual potato chip flavors and vote for the best ones online.
Tweet-Activated Snack Machines
Walkers' Snack Vending Machine Trades Tweets for Potato Chips
Trend Themes
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Interactive Advertising — The integration of social media platforms into vending machines presents an opportunity for brands to engage with consumers in a unique and interactive way.
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Crowdsourced Product Development — Using social media to gather votes and feedback on potential product flavors or variations opens up the possibility for companies to involve consumers in the decision-making process and create products that resonate with their target audience.
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Experiential Marketing — Combining traditional advertising mediums, such as bus stops, with interactive elements like tweet-activated vending machines, allows brands to create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on consumers.
Industry Implications
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Food and Beverage — The integration of social media and vending machines in the food and beverage industry provides an opportunity for companies to revolutionize the way snacks are marketed and consumed.
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Advertising and Marketing — The convergence of digital platforms and traditional advertising methods opens up new avenues for advertisers and marketers to reach and engage with their target audience.
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Consumer Goods — By incorporating social media into product development and promotional activities, consumer goods companies can gain valuable insights and create products that resonate with their customers.