# Complimentary Communicating Dispensers Kenneth the Talking Vending Machine Gives Out Free Coffee By Meghan Young | Published 2012-08-23 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kenneth-the-talking-vending-machine References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2012/08/talking-vending-machine-free-coffee.html) & [kenco](http://www.kenco.co.uk/) Almost everyone can appreciate a free cup of coffee--free being the operative word, not coffee--but when paired with an interactive dispenser such as Kenneth the Talking Vending Machine, the experience is just that much better. Taking [interactive ad campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heinz-ketchup-zero) to a whole new level, this public dispenser only gives out [complimentary coffee](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sonic-cocacola-your-way) if a person does what Kenneth says. Conceived by Leo Burnett, Kenneth the Talking Vending Machine was commissioned by U.K. coffee company [Kenco Millicano](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kenco-icedhot). Its newest employee has been stationed at Soho Square in London where 'he' shouts at passersby to stop and do something for him, be it a little jig, hug or other random acts. If they do it, they would get to enjoy a hot cup of joe on the house. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 10% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Interactive Dispensers:** Opportunity for businesses to incorporate interactive ad campaigns into their promotions with dispensers that give out free products with an engaging experience. - **Positive Reinforcement Campaigns:** Open up possibilities for businesses to incentivize customers with free products through positive reinforcement and interactive engagement. - **Customized Audio Prompts:** Integration of customized audio prompts in dispensers when a customer performs a specific action for distribution of free products increases customer interaction and engagement with the brand. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Incorporation of interactive dispensers in the food and beverage industry can encourage customer engagement and build brand loyalty with free product offerings and positive reinforcement campaigns. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Interactive dispensers that provide free products with an engaging experience can be utilized in advertising and marketing, offering companies diverse ways to promote their brand messaging in public spaces. - **Retail and Hospitality:** Customized audio prompt-equipped dispensers can be utilized in retail and hospitality industries to provide unique interactive and reward-based experiences that encourage customers to linger longer, building both brand awareness and customer loyalty. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heat-Sensitive Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heat-sensitive-vending-machine.md) - [Conversational Robot Baristas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kubi.md) - [Social Experiment Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/simply-coffee-caf.md) - [Coffee Kindess Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cambio-roasters.md) - [Complimentary QSR Coffee Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pret-organic-coffee.md) - [Versatile Automatic Coffee Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/versatile-automatic-coffee-machines.md) - [Complimentary Plant Milk Coffees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-oat-milk-coffees.md) - [Robotic Beverage-Crafting Baristas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sidework-dispenser.md) - [Celebratory Retailer Coffee Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-coffeetogo.md)