Plug Media’s public charging revolution has something for everyone

A startup providing free and secure phone charging via interactive kiosks has officially launched its network across Aotearoa.

Plug Media launches its digital out-of-home (DOOH) media network today with a simple mission: to seamlessly integrate complementary phone charging into the fabric of everyday life for Kiwis.

The combination of a charging station with dynamic advertising offers a unique platform for consumers,
business venues, and brands alike.

Founded by CEO Charlotte Lucas, Plug Media emerged from a personal need for phone charging in public spaces. In 2019, Lucas realised the gap in the market for free, accessible charging stations when she found herself stuck with only 2% charge when dining out with friends.

Now, her vision has turned into a nationwide network of sleek kiosks located in high-traffic venues across New Zealand’s major retailers, stadiums, hospitality and event venues, and lifestyle hubs.

“From ride-sharing services like Uber, to work, family connections and digital wallets, our phones have become essential to our daily lives,” says Lucas. “Yet with this dependence comes the problem of running out of battery. Our kiosks solve this issue by offering free charging at public venues while providing a valuable platform for advertisers to connect with a captive, engaged audience.”

Each charging kiosk is equipped with a high-resolution 43″ digital touchscreen, capable of displaying both video and still images and its stainless steel frame can be fully customised with vinyl wrapping to seamlessly integrate into any environment.

For business venues, the kiosks are a win-win: they offer a valuable service to customers, increasing dwell time and encouraging higher spending, while also providing a platform for brands to amplify their presence.

To access complimentary phone charging, users simply interact with the touchscreen, where they create a unique PIN code for secure access. This code allows them to lock their device into a designated charging bay. With fast-charging technology, users can expect a 50-80% charge within just 30 minutes, ensuring they stay powered up and connected.

The charging network also offers advertisers the opportunity to engage with a highly attentive, captive audience. As users interact with the kiosks to access free phone charging, they are exposed to dynamic ads that remain visible throughout the charging process.

This ensures superior engagement and higher visibility compared to traditional ad formats. Alongside its ability to target specific audiences through real-time programmatic trading (via integrations with Hivestack and Vistar), advertisers have access to a variety of powerful audience segmentation options, including proximity-based location targeting, daypart targeting, demographic segmentation, and weather-triggered advertisements.

Beyond the business model, Plug Media is committed to making a meaningful social impact. The kiosks ensure that people can stay connected in moments when a charged phone is crucial— whether for accessing ride-sharing services like Uber, staying in touch with family, or simply feeling secure when out in public.

“The feedback we’ve received from venues and users has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Lucas. “We’ve even had local police commend us for providing an essential service that helps people get home safely. It’s all about giving people the peace of mind to know they can stay connected when they need to.”

With over 500 devices charged per month in some partner venues, the DOOH network is proving its effectiveness as an advertising platform.

“We’re committed to innovation—whether it’s through new interactive ad formats or
enhanced charging technology,” concluded Lucas. “Our goal is to keep improving the user
experience while growing our partnerships with venues, advertisers, and key stakeholders.”

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