As far as viral marketing stunts go, this one doesn’t spare any expense. No extensive marketing outreach or snazzy website needed — just free money. No, really, this stunt straight up gives people legit cash, with (seemingly) no strings attached.
In a campaign called #3dollarballer, “vending machines” (really, they’re just big boxes with someone inside) are placed in Orchard Road and Raffles Place Green at allotted timings. What passers-by need to do is just insert $3 in the box, and get $50 in return. Real money, no catches.
The website, presumably made for free on WiX, doesn’t say anything much except that it’ll be giving out the $50 to people until all cash prizes are fully redeemed.
And redeemed they were, thanks to the mobs of people who couldn’t believe they got $47 for free. The money ran out during the Raffles Place cameo this afternoon, and it caused quite a bit of pandemonium. According to Channel NewsAsia, the organizer of the stunt was asked to cut it out by the cops around 12:45 pm. Turns out, the people behind the campaign didn’t apply for a permit to have their little stunt there.
3DollarBaller has since canceled a scheduled appearance at Orchard this evening (you know, because it ran out of money already), and will only reveal everything about itself tomorrow. Is it a money laundering service? Is it a GST hike compensator? Who knows — but it is pretty ballsy to just hand out money to randos just like that.
