Moneyless, Wi-Fi hotspot vending machines are Coca-Cola's latest marketing tool

With the help of collaborator Vouchercloud, GSD Marketing Ltd – distributors of Coca-Cola brands produced in Malta – have rolled out special vending machines which are not money operated, and are handing out Coca-Cola Life for free.

“Coca-Cola Life is The Coca-Cola Company’s new proposition which ticks many boxes for today’s lifestyle as it has the great taste one would expect from a Coca-Cola with 36% less calories, being sweetened with table sugar and stevia extract” GSD Marketing General Manager Brian Galea said.

Four vending machines so far have been placed in popular places, namely Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s and Gozo, and a fifth machine will is set to do the rounds at different workplaces.

Being Wi-fi hotspots, the machines notify people who pass by and who have the vouchercloud App on their phone to get their soft drink for free through a barcode. Alternatively, customers may register on the microsite, where they can either download the vouchercloud App or get a barcode directly from www.formplug.com/cocacolalife.

Once they are next to the machine, customers need to place the barcode on their phone in front of the slot indicated on the machine to get their free Coca-Cola Life.

GSD said that the machines have already given out more than 11,000 free bottles so far.

“This vending machine initiative enables us to reach out to the public in general to ensure they taste the feeling of Coca-Cola Life, and the fun way of getting it for free through the digital vending machine leaves them with a memorable experience,” Sales & Marketing Manager Martin Agius said.