Smart Vending Machines for Sampling Events | Jo Malone
Jo Malone brought its latest scent-layering campaign to life with a high-footfall pop-up outside Selfridges Manchester.
Looking to educate customers on the art of combining fragrances and introduce new pairings, Jo Malone partnered with Noonah to create an experience that would attract attention, distribute samples, and leave a lasting impression – all powered by our latest smart vending machine.
Smart Vending Machines – The Smarter way to Run Giveaways and Sampling Events
The Brief
Jo Malone’s goal was to drive engagement around scent layering and get more people trying new combinations from their product range. They needed a standout sampling mechanism that would draw footfall, spark curiosity, educate about their product range, and collect useful data – all while staying true to their premium aesthetic.
Our Approach
We deployed one of our new-generation Smart Vending Machines, custom-wrapped and fully branded to match Jo Malone’s campaign. This interactive setup did more than dispense product – it educated, entertained, and personalised the experience for every guest.
The machine used an attract screen to pull in shoppers. Once engaged, guests answered three quick questions about their lifestyle and scent preferences. Based on their responses, the vending machine used a built-in algorithm to match each person with a unique scent pairing, instantly dispensing free samples to try.
To ensure guests left with a permanent memento alongside their fragrance samples, the smart vending machine also doubled as a photo booth. After dispensing the samples, it captured three photos of each guest and printed them as a classic 6×2 photo strip. Guests could choose from a selection of Jo Malone-branded backdrops to personalise their keepsake, and scan a QR code to download a digital version.
Branded Sampling Events with a Twist
This experience combined product sampling with an entertaining experience. Every element was branded to reflect the Jo Malone aesthetic – from the sleek hardware and custom UI to the scent pairing labels and photo strip designs.
Guests received:
- A set of Jo Malone scent samples curated to their preferences
- Two printed photo strips featuring their chosen backdrop
- A digital version of their photos, accessible via QR code
The personalised interaction, paired with the tangible takeaways, helped create meaningful brand moments that lasted well beyond the activation.
The Results
The activation was a major success. Located in a high-traffic area, the vending machine consistently drew queues of curious passers-by. Many shared their photo strips and experience on social media, while the campaign also gained visibility through influencer posts and Jo Malone’s own channels.
Beyond the buzz, the activation served as an effective data collection point, allowing Jo Malone to connect with consumers for future marketing – and deliver a campaign that was memorable, shareable, and perfectly on-brand.
Make Your Sampling Event Stand Out
Noonah’s smart vending machines go beyond giveaways. They deliver entertainment, data capture, and brand storytelling – all in one sleek unit. Want to transform your next sampling campaign? Let’s talk.
