By creating the ‘Pepsi Like Machine’, a machine that cashes Facebook likes instead of money, you create much more. One’s smartphone magically transforms into a liking device that links to the Pepsi Facebook Page. With the push of a button on your mobile device, a Pepsi can pops out of the vending machine in real time.

This innovation allows building a relationship on Pepsi’s Facebook page with anyone who received a Pepsi sample from the social vending machine. For those who do not own a smartphone, a built-in touchscreen allowed direct interaction with the innovative vending machine. Location-based information ensured that the cans were only handed to people near the machine.

On average, a sample was distributed every 3 minutes, allowing Pepsi’s Facebook page to grow by 200 fans daily.

Every day, 230 users interacted with the social vending machine. 213 users exchanged a ‘like’ for a Pepsi sample, 203 of which actually chose a drink. 70% of the users chose Pepsi Regular and the social vending machine was more popular amongst men (65%.) In total, the Pepsi Like Machine was live for 23 days (May 15th to October 31st 2013). Thanks to its overwhelming success, Pepsi is now looking for a permanent place to put the machine.

Mashable, The Huffington Post, The Next Web and over 300 other (inter)national blogs covered this world premiere.