In 1999 Praxis Product Design was asked by LAT to re-invent the newspaper vending experience in the face of growing competition to paper distribution from digital media. LAT manufactured their own vending machines and saw an opportunity to capitalize on the ubiquitous presence of their brand in the streets of LA.
Praxis undertook a comprehensive innovation process, including ethnographic studies of newspaper purchasers and newspaper employees responsible for vending replenishment and maintenance. We completed a technology review and made recommendations for inclusion of electronic payment and streaming news and advertising to vending locations. Finally we developed a radical new news and newspaper vending machine designed to keep print journalism relevant well into the digital era.
In 2002 LA Times was purchased by the Chicago Tribune who shelved plans for rolling out the new vending systems.
