Here's a 'world first' salmon ATM you never knew you needed

We are sent a lot of "world firsts" at Campaign, many of which are very similar to existing products, or feel more PR than practical. Never, never, has a "world first" stopped us in our tracks like this one.

Prepare yourself.

The world's first Norwegian salmon ATM, where a customer can tap their credit card and purchase salmon fillets and smoked salmon 24 hours a day.

I spotted this absurd machine in Singapore's Alexandra district.

Just when you thought you’d seen it all pic.twitter.com/72CRTwPPn6

— Jess Goodfellow (@goodflo) March 3, 2020

But there isn't just one salmon ATM, oh no. There are now 98 salmon ATMs dotted around Singapore, for all districts to enjoy. Only 30 of them do the smoked products—which includes smoked mackerel—so you better bet your lucky stars that one of these is close to you.

The founder and CEO of this wonderful innovation, Manish Kumar, hails from Norway and has been in the salmon industry all his life, according to an interview he had with Rice Media. So proud of his country's salmon is he, that he wanted to find a way to distribute it to the masses in a convenient and cost-effective way.

While it may be difficult to see the demand for a product like this—never mind 98 of them—Kumar claimed he has received huge interest from other countries interested in franchising the product. As for the 24-hour aspect, he also claimed that several customers have been satisfying their salmon cravings past midnight. Perhaps this is the late-night snack we've all been yearning for.

He has been marketing the ATMs on taxis around Singapore, which have been lovingly made to look like a giant salmon fillet.

The world’s first Norwegian salmon ATM is now taking out taxi ads. It is confusing and thrilling at the same time. Who is planning this media placement? Are airplane takeovers next? It’s a world first goddamn it! pic.twitter.com/ulQYJ6hoBQ

— Jess Goodfellow (@goodflo) March 19, 2020

An ad that does exactly what it says on the tin (or ATM). I don't know about you, but that makes me want salmon for lunch.

This post is filed under... Stranger Things: A reporters' notebook of WTF items A growing collection of stupidities and things we just can't explain.