Israeli Teens Swipe Wristbands to Update Facebook Status
Israeli Teens Swipe Wristbands to Update Facebook Status
'Like Machine' Lets Kids Share the Fun at Coca-Cola Village Summer Camp
By Emma Hall
Published: September 02, 2010
Coca-Cola is pioneering technology in Israel that allows users to automatically update their Facebook status by swiping a wristband across a reader.
The Coca-Cola Village has been a fixture of the summer scene in Israel for the last five years, inviting 600 to 800 teenagers at a time to stay for three days in a multimedia village where they can enjoy activities including riding horses, massage, rock concerts, stand-up comedy and sports.
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This summer, thanks to the Like Machine, dreamed up by Enon Landenberg, joint CEO of Publicis E-dologic, the inhabitants of the village were able to use their wristbands to register that they "liked" a certain activity.
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For example, a guest that likes the pool can place his or her band next to the readable device by the pool, and a Facebook message will automatically appear on his or her wall stating that her or she "liked" the pool at the village.
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Photographers carrying portable reader devices were also out and about at the village. They took pictures of guests, which were then uploaded onto the Coca-Cola Village Facebook page, with a tag automatically in place.
The event was so popular this year that, according to E-dologic joint-CEO Doron Tal, 250,000 people claimed to have been there -- even though only 8,000 had the opportunity to experience it in real life. "They felt that they had been there because they could enjoy it through their friends by following their fun on Facebook," Mr. Tal said. (More accounting problems.)
Last week, Diet Coke launched its first "Desert Camp" for young adults in their 20s and 30s. They could also use the Like Machine as they enjoyed luxury tents in the desert, watched rock bands and tasted food from a top Israeli chef.
To win a stay at the Coca-Cola Village, consumers have to register via Facebook in groups of eight and collect 80 bottle tops per group to enter. They also have to pay $50, but this includes all accommodation, food and activities. Ten sessions of three days each took place this year.
Mr. Tal said, "When Enon had the idea for the Like Machine, I thought it was too far-fetched, but we have some very talented and visionary people here. I try not to show off, but we have created a little revolution. Coca-Cola likes us to approach them with innovations."
Recently E-dologic created a site for Coca-Cola that lets users design their own cans, either by using the site's technology or by uploading their own photos or graphics. At the end of the promotion, 1,000 winners had a six-pack of Coke delivered to their doors bearing their own designs. Out of Israel's population of 7 million, 200,000 people entered the competition.
E-dologic works for Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Orange in Israel. Opened in 1999, it claims to be Israel's first digital agency. It was bought by Publicis Groupe in 2001 and has been working with Coca-Cola since 2000.
Mr. Tal said another E-dologic client has already signed up to do "an even bigger project" that uses the Like Machine technology.
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By voyager360 | SANTA FE, NM September 3, 2010 06:24:54 pm:
Looks Mr. Tal missed the boat on bringing that idea to America.
ZottMe.com has a nice electronic scanning device that lets kids scan their wristband or mini MagCard at any mall, burger store, roller skating rink, water park, etc. Parents connected to FourSquare, Facebook or any other supported check in network can use the service to keep track of their little rug rats.
It's a great way to let parents know when their kids get to the places that the kids SAID they were going to.
I have friends who parents and they will be buying the device for homes. So kids can scan themselves upon arrival at home and it lets' parents know their kids are safe and sound at home.
Zott Me merchandise will be hitting the Internet store shelf here in a few more weeks and yours truly just happens to know the inventor of the technology, who used to work at Los Alamos National Labs.
I can see the device and the service being a real big hit with parents, fast food franchises and retail stores.
Ironically, ZottMe.com is the accidental WHOOPS success story because the firm was designing a check in bracelet system for prisoners to have a less expensive and more fashionable device to wear instead of of the bulky and uncomfortable ankle brick that they wear now.
Thanks to New Mexico's Technology Transfer -- they stumbled on the idea for mass marketing to fast food and retailers with a suite of bright, neon colored Armstrong like wrist bands that have a small chip inside hard coded for their Facebook, Foursquare or other account.
So you just swipe your wrist in front of the device and viola! -- it registers you into that check in network.
