Microsoft is pulling out the big guns as it looks to win over New Yorkers and build some buzz before opening its five-story flagship store there later this month.
It started with a food truck offering free lunches all over NYC, and then the company promised to give away Pitbull concert tickets at the Oct. 26 grand opening event.
Need lunch, #FinancialDistrict? Head to Maiden Lane and Water St. Details here http://t.co/OkILBmKYZb pic.twitter.com/jUbEdBZsOQ
— Microsoft Store (@MicrosoftStore) October 15, 2015
Now, Microsoft is rolling out “prize machines” that will dispense free gadgets in exchange for tweets.
The machines, which look like vending machines wrapped in Microsoft logos, will be stocked with an Xbox One, Surface tablet and “other great SWAG.” The company hasn’t explained exactly how it will work, but the machines have a display and tell users to tweet a hashtag to claim a prize.
Hey, #NYC! Are you ready to win great prizes? Details here: http://t.co/OkILBmto7D pic.twitter.com/ye5psokomV
— Microsoft Store (@MicrosoftStore) October 16, 2015
The machines will be at two different locations each day now through Monday. You can find exact locations on the grand opening event’s Facebook page.
The promotion is all part of Microsoft’s mission to build some hype leading up to the unveiling of its largest retail store yet.
GeekWire visited the locked-down building last week, though we couldn’t see much of what was going on. It’s certainly massive and will be highly recognizable along New York City’s famed Fifth Avenue, but it’s also not as iconic as Apple’s glass cube just a few blocks away.
The store spans 22,269 square feet. It will feature Microsoft’s response to Apple’s Genius Bar called the Answer Desk, a space to test and buy products made by Microsoft and its partners, along with a Community Theater where the company says customers will be able to “learn how to use Microsoft’s latest and most popular products in their everyday work and lives.”
