A couple of weeks ago I saw a Twitter from one of my contacts (I honestly forget who it was) that led me to discover the Matter Box. The idea is apparently that if you sign up on the website, every now and then you will get a box of marketing-type goodies. Not just any old leaflets, either – this is nice stuff.
The first box was delivered to subscribers this morning. There are already unboxing photos on Flickr, including a set from my friend Dale, who has also written about it. No photos from me, though – I did a quick video showing what is inside, instead. No prize for counting the number of times I say “cool”, either.
(the video is also on YouTube)
Quite fun. Neatly and tightly packed. My favourite item is probably the Wii armband, although considering I don’t yet own a Wii, it’s a little bit pointless so far 
Update: there’s a description of the contents and some background on the Matter blog.
24 responses so far ↓
jt // February 2, 2008 at 19:17 |
The half of me that likes free stuff and opening boxes of goodies wants one. The half of me that is trying to de-junk the house today doesn’t! Can I just have the top trumps cards please
learning something new » Blog Archive » matter // February 2, 2008 at 19:57 |
[...] Update: I see that Andy and James got matter boxes today, as well. Andy’s done his review in video form, which is [...]
Dale Lane // February 2, 2008 at 21:25 |
RE: “one of my contacts (I honestly forget who it was) that led me to discover the Matter Box”
Was it Russell Davies? (http://russelldavies.typepad.com/planning/2008/01/matter.html)
It’s a good point though… I am rubbish at attributing where I come across stuff from. My excuse has always been that I use an offline RSS reader, and by the time I’m next online, I’ve forgotten where I first saw something.
It’s a fairly lame excuse though – I am basically rubbish. I re-read James Governor’s post on ‘via’ (http://redmonk.com/jgovernor/2007/06/04/what-about-via-via-link-economies/) yesterday and it’s got me thinking that I need to make more of an effort!
Nice video, by the way
Nick O'Leary // February 3, 2008 at 10:57 |
Well, I can safely say I’ve signed up for the next matter box via:dalelane, although via:andypiper was a close second.
jean/NOTCOT // February 4, 2008 at 0:43 |
http://www.notcot.com/archives/2008/02/matter_box.php
Thanks for the great video review!!! Just what we needed to be envious of those who got in on the first awesome matter box!
; )
mac morrison // February 4, 2008 at 10:09 |
it’s a lovely idea – though except for a couple of bits (the phone charm and the plasticine)- it’s just tat! i expect as it gains popularity the quality of content will increase – or it will die.
Rob @ Nonsense // February 4, 2008 at 10:43 |
Hey Andy – cheers for the comment. What did you make of my ideas to improve Matter…
http://robmosley.typepad.com/weblog/2008/02/matter.html
Would be good to get a little summary of feedback from bloggers back to Tim at Artomatic…
Artomatic » Blog Archive » The matter box arrives... // February 4, 2008 at 11:25 |
[...] http://andypiper.wordpress.com/2008/02/02/matter/ [...]
Katie // February 4, 2008 at 14:34 |
I was hoping that there would be a demographic split in content as it would show more thought than just bunging stuff in a box – any girls out there received a different box?
Bobbie // February 4, 2008 at 19:29 |
They did say the first box was aimed at 25-35 year old men. Despite being in the demographic I must admit I was slightly lost by the gubbins inside.
Some of the bits were well made and intriguing, but almost all of it was stuff that, well, didn’t matter.
links for 2008-02-05 // February 5, 2008 at 0:46 |
[...] The lost outpost – Matter Box The first box was delivered to subscribers this morning. There are already unboxing photos on Flickr.. I did a quick video showing what is inside, instead. No prize for counting the number of times I say “cool”, either.” (tags: matter matterbox matterware advertising marketing storytelling narrativeobjects narrativeactivism photos videos unboxing.) [...]
Dale Lane // February 5, 2008 at 16:58 |
@Bobbie – I thought the next box in the summer was the one aimed at men aged 25-35 – not the pilot one that just went out?
The first Matter Box: What is it? What’s in it? — One foot in the future // February 6, 2008 at 12:52 |
[...] who received the pilot Matter Box were enthusiastic enough to post photos, write ups, and even videos. If there is one thing to learn from the Pilot, I think this it. Consider the interactive and [...]
Does it matter?* « i noted // February 6, 2008 at 15:01 |
[...] matter box and I have now had the chance to look inside one in the flesh (and not just through Andy Piper’s blog as I had done until today!) Zeroinfluencer received one and I have first dibs on eating his cereal [...]
Kaobanga.com Blog’as » Blog Archive » Reklamos auka // February 6, 2008 at 16:10 |
[...] apysunkę dėžutę su užrašu Matter (angl. materija). Aišku, aš nekrisčiau taip žemai, kaip šitas geek’as ir nesidaryčiau Matter tatoo ant krūtinės, bet tikrai padėkočiau žmogui, sugalvojusiam, jog [...]
elt.lt » Blog Archive » Reklamos auka // February 6, 2008 at 19:16 |
[...] apysunkę dėžutę su užrašu Matter (angl. materija). Aišku, aš nekrisčiau taip žemai, kaip šitas geek’as ir nesidaryčiau Matter tatoo ant krūtinės, bet tikrai padėkočiau žmogui, sugalvojusiam, jog [...]
Johnson // February 7, 2008 at 12:24 |
Budem zdorovy.
Anyone know what this means? I’ve signed in on stoli.com for the secret party but dunno wha to do next. Maybe the foreigner above knows russian?
Rob // February 8, 2008 at 15:08 |
Re: Virgin ‘URL’. It was kind of a hash-up between a link and email address … http://www.virginatlantic@matterbox.com
So I checked out matterbox.com and found taht design agency!
ashlie // November 15, 2008 at 20:52 |
i subscribed to matter box in october and havent got any thing as yet, just wondered if anyone knew what the next demographic is they are sending to or how i can find out?
Andy Piper // November 16, 2008 at 15:53 |
Hi ashlie – there was an email from Matter about a week ago that said the new box is coming on Nov 29th – maybe you were just outside their sign-up deadline? You should be able to drop them an email to check I guess.
samantha // November 22, 2008 at 18:59 |
I just signed up for this and was told the next one would be early on in 2009 so I am looking forward to it. By the way do they ask for opinions on what you thought of the products, like a product testing site? or are they totally free to do what you want?
Matter Box Mark 2 « The lost outpost // December 19, 2008 at 7:06 |
[...] One of my most popular video reviews was the overview of the original Matter Box that I did back in February. The second box finally (!) arrived at the beginning of December, and I’ve made another short [...]
Lisa // May 27, 2009 at 12:35 |
I just signed up
Xx
When’s the next one due to come out?
Andy Piper // May 28, 2009 at 15:34 |
Not sure what the schedule is, sorry.