Free Drink Vending Machines in Japan
Thirsty Japanese will soon be able to drink coffee or other non-alcoholic beverages at a low price or even for free — as long as they watch a 30-second advertisement on the vending machines.
Vending machine operator Apex Corp. will start a service next month to turn its machines into a new medium for advertisers, who will pick up the partial or full cost of drinks.
Apex runs 35,000 vending machines across Japan that serve drinks in paper cups, generally priced at 70 to 120 yen (60 cents to one dollar) a cup.
Under the ‘MediCafe’ project, the vending machine will play an advertiser’s video for around the 30 seconds it takes to pour the drink and dispense a paper cup with an advertisement printed on it.
Apex said some of its vending machines are at public places ideal for selective advertising such as supermarkets, amusement parks, office buildings and schools.
By Sun Tzu on 10-05-2007
Comment by Ice Cucumber
September 9th, 2007 at 8:52 am
This is necessary.
Comment by Bob
November 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
‘Shopped. The shadows give it away. I hade done some photoshopping myself, so I would know.
Comment by nnY
November 9th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
What? Why shop a picture of a vending machine? Bob’s may be my uncle, but he’s still an idiot.
Comment by CLH
November 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I’d pop on my headphones and people watch while I got my free drink (or drinks)
Comment by Tingbudong
November 17th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Who cares if they photoshopped the image here.. Thats just marketing images.
The marketing concept being discussed here it whats really interesting. I think its a great idea. My only neg thought on it is I would prolly feel embarassed if it was set too loud and the whole planet turned to watch me get my drink, then after avoid the machines…
There were these talking vending machines for soda etc in the states a while back (18 yrs ago?) they weren’t marketing outside products though but they were annoying as shit!
Still I think the marketing imagery placed on the cups and a short commercial for my drink is not too invasive and a pretty good trade off. I like it. Put one in my office. Save me a lot on my daily caffiene addiction!
Comment by Bob you idiot
November 21st, 2008 at 9:06 am
It’s not a shop. It’s a typical BOSS coffee vending machine at night.
Comment by Photoshop
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 am
Yet another loser who claims to know which photo is actually “shopped” or not. Why care so much in life, just learn to appreciate.
Comment by smurf
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I can assure you it is partialy shopped…
Just look at the Pepsi bottles and in particular the caps. Shadows to the left are not correct here. That is why the pepsi is upright too I suspect. Definately a photoshop job here.