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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.