Foursquare-Powered Nokia Gift Machine Debuts in Dubai

The ‘Nokia Gift Machine’ is open for business at the Nokia store in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates.  How it works: Check-in on Foursquare to find its location and see what the machine offers, with instant prizes so far including movie tickets, chocolates, accessories and Nokia devices, which drop out of the bottom of the machine.

Users can also check-in using NFC mobile technology. Created by social agency 1000heads, the Nokia Gift Machine iterates ‘random acts of kindness’ to NFC and LBS-enabled vending-gifting. “Nokia came to us with a specific challenge – to inspire people with a new and innovative way to blend social media and the real world,” said Mike Rowe, CEO of 1000heads. “The ‘Nokia Gift Machine’ does just that, dispensing gifts to anyone checking-in to its location or activating it using NFC, while sharing this action with through their own online communities.”

“The Nokia Gift Machine is testament to our efforts to creatively link the online elements of social media along with offline tactics. The machine has already proven hugely popular with trade audiences, and we are confident consumers will feel the same way,” said Tamer Elliethy, Digital Marketing Manager, Lower Gulf, Nokia.

It's all part of the NokiaConnects social platform and another twist on gestural marketing, recalling Coke’s ‘Hug Me’ machine in Singapore, where the cost of a can of Coke was a squeeze.