Charging Kiosk Powers Marketing Efforts

This article originally appeared in the May 2012 issue of Next Gen Mobility magazine.

Marketing can be a powerful tool. That seems to be particularly true in the case of goCharge.

The company offers mobile device charging kiosks that can be leveraged in a wide variety of marketing models.

One of the marketing models goCharge has created involves a bar kiosk, which liquor brand Patrón is leveraging to help promote its Patrón XO Cafe and Ultimat Vodka. The branded kiosks, which have been in bars in New York City since the first quarter of 2010, appeal to establishment owners because they can keep customers around for a long period of time, according to goCharge. 

Another application of goCharge is in the conference and exposition space. The company offers floor model units for this application, which enables conference organizations and/or their exhibitors and sponsors to brand the kiosks, and to derive revenue from conference attendees that charge their devices on them.

“For show organizers, goCharge provides an incremental and innovative sponsorship sales opportunity,” says goCharge Chief Revenue Officer Scott Gurfein. “Charging stations can be fully wrapped and branded, and play video content. Since attendees stay near their device, the sponsor message is communicated in a targeted and effective manner.” 

AT&T (News - Alert), AMEX, Microsoft and Verizon have all sponsored goCharge kiosks at events in the recent past. And more than 300 business-to-business conferences have leveraged goCharge, which expects its volume on this front to nearly double this year.

Of course, goCharge also offers kiosks for rent. For what goCharge says is a low monthly charge, business owners can provide their customers with this amenity, which can bring customers in the door and get them to stay around longer and potentially buy more product.  These goCharge units are especially popular in dining establishments and coffee shops. 

The kiosks can charge up to 16 mobile devices at a time. That includes nearly all models of cell phones, smartphones, tablets and MP3 players.  

Charging kiosk outfit goCharge is also leveraging wireless technology to help people locate its terminals. The company recently released a free iPhone (News - Alert) for that purpose. 

“As mobile devices have become an essential part of people's professional and personal lives, the subsequent demand for goCharge's convenient charging solutions comes as no surprise. We have recently upgraded our technology and expanded our kiosk line-up to meet this exciting market need,” says David Walke, CEO of goCharge.