Pepsi Like Machine

You walk up to the Pepsi’s “Like Machine”, tap “Like” for Pepsi on Facebook using your smartphone or the machine’s touchscreen, and it dispenses a soda. Simple rule. Instant reward.

The Like Machine mechanic

Coca-Cola has created a whole bunch of innovative vending machines over the last couple of years. Pepsi, on the other hand, created only a couple. Now to add to that collection, Pepsi piloted its latest vending machine. Dubbed the “Like Machine”, it was programmed to dispense soda to fans who “Like” the brand on Facebook via their smartphone or via the touchscreen on the machine.

Where did Pepsi pilot it

Pepsi piloted the machine at a Beyonce concert in Antwerp, Belgium and received a good response. So do not be surprised if you see more of them popping up nearby.

Why “Like” works as currency here

The exchange is clear. A lightweight social action becomes the trigger for a real-world payoff. The behaviour is familiar, the barrier is low, and the moment is easy to understand even in a noisy live-event setting.


A few fast answers before you act

What is the Pepsi Like Machine?

It is a vending machine that dispenses a Pepsi to people who like the Pepsi brand on Facebook, either via their phone or on the machine touchscreen.

Why test this at a concert?

Concert crowds are already in a high-energy mindset and open to quick interactions. That makes participation fast and visible, which boosts word of mouth.

What is the simplest lesson to copy?

Make the rule obvious, the action effortless, and the reward immediate. If any one of those is slow or unclear, participation drops.

What should you measure?

Participation rate per hour, completion rate (start to dispense), and the incremental social lift tied to the activation window.

Unlock the 007 in you. You have 70 seconds!

At Antwerp Central station, Coke Zero challenged unsuspecting train passengers to unlock the 007 in them and get a chance to win exclusive tickets for the new James Bond movie SKYFALL. However, the tickets weren’t free. People had to go the extra mile and unlock their inner 007 in less than 70 seconds to win. 😎

Electronic Arts “SSX Shakes”

Gaming giant EA has recently released SSX extreme snowboarding for the Playstation and Xbox360. But before SSX officially hit the slopes in Belgium, EA wanted to generate extra buzz and free press. So their ad agency Duval Guillaume Modem from Antwerp created an exclusive “SSX Shakes” event for a limited audience of popular bloggers and journalists. During the event, they brought the audience in the right mood with booze, snowboarding, music, chicks, tricks… and game play.

The slope had a cocktail bar where the invitees got to choose 1 of the cocktails that were named after a typical snowboard trick. The cocktails however, were not shaken by bartenders but by pro-riders who performed the corresponding snowboard trick and handed it over freshly shaken. Afterwards every blogger and journalist received a personalized movie with the making of his SSX shake to share with friends, fans & followers. 😎

The movies and photos are now available at www.ssxshakes.be