Get your products notice @ the airport. I was roaming Changi International Airport today in transit to LA. After an hour of so loitering and occasional emailing standing up @ the internet kioks, my legs begin to ache. To my amazement, I found free foot massage machine by Oto, and best of all, its free. It started ticklish, then slight pain, and bearing through the first 3 minutes, the rest of the 7 minutes were relaxing, and nice. The short 10 minutes massage leaves me rejuvenated and the feat felt light as I walk on.

During the 10 minutes of massage, I reflected on the opportunity companies have in getting their products noticed at busy airports. Millions of travelers transit @ Changi Airport each month and to have them try the product, its almost a free advert. I wonder of Changi Management charge these companies to place their device @ the airport. I would see this as a win win win, Changi management can provide comfort and services to the customer, at the expense of the product supplier, while the product supplier wins on the adverts, the consumer wins on the free service or comfort they receive.

Rock band My Chemical Romance first got notice and popular by giving their music free online, now they sells more CD’s & Concert tickets the could ever dream of. Is Oto trying to do the same @ Changi? Nevertheless, I for one now knows how good of a product the foot massager is, in just 10 minutes, I am refreshed. I have seen it in malls all over Malaysia, and never tried any of them. Now, if I see one on sale I wouldn’t mind buying one. The downside to this is Oto is doing marketing not only for themselves, but also for their competitors. Imagine, I see this product, I use it, and I loved it. Then when I get back to my country, I see similar product of different brand, I buys them.

So, while this model is win win win, there are risk involved. With a strong branding, and brand affirmation at these free kiosks, this risk can be mitigated. When I was in Changi Airport 2 years ago, there was free back massage by professional masseurs. I suggest the next time, you are in Changi, check out relaxing massagers.

On this day..

• Serenity - 2003