Lock in a year of Digiday+ for 35% less. Ends May 29.
Billboard is bridging the digital and analog worlds with its latest marketing stunt.
With the help of Ogilvy & Mather Brazil, the music magazine publisher created a special magazine vending machine. The catch is that the machine only dispenses copies to actual fans of the cover artist. The machine, which is called “The Fan Check Machine,” checks users’ iPhones to see if they have more than 20 songs by the musician on the cover of the the current Billboard issue on their device to qualify as a real fan. If they meet the “real fan” criteria, the machine will dispense a copy of the magazine.
Downloading a branded app for a one-time experience is kind of annoying, but the best part of this campaign is that you don’t need an app. All you have to do is connect your smartphone directly to the vending machine.
See the machine in action:
More in Marketing
TikTok Shop says sales from U.S. small businesses climbed 66% in 2025
U.S. small businesses on TikTok Shop increased sales by 66% in 2025 compared to the year before.
Walmart warns it may have to raise prices due to fuel costs
The possibility comes as higher fuel prices are already putting pressure on household budgets.
OpenAI gives ChatGPT ads a visual upgrade
OpenAI is building on its single ad format to include some new iterations that give advertisers more optionality over their appearances.