The Leith lands UK coin converter launch

US company Coinstar, operators of supermarket machines that count coins and convert them into vouchers redeemable for cash or produce, is gearing up for a UK launch.

Coinstar has appointed The Leith Agency to create a TV advertising campaign to launch the service, which is being tested in 20 Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores.

In the US the company operates 7,700 automated, freestanding machines in supermarkets and banks across 38 states.

The machines count unsorted coins and issue a voucher which is redeemed for cash or goods at the supermarket checkout. The service’s proposition plays on the cash that people hoard in jars at home and don’t have time to count.

Coinstar currently supplies and processes more coins each year than the US mint and is ranked as the 18th fastest growing US technology company in the Deloitte and Touche Technology Fast 500 index.

In June Coinstar launched a $10m (£6.25m) TV and radio advertising campaign in the US through TBWA/Chiat Day Los Angeles, showing how coins can be changed into something useful by featuring everyday situations which suddenly become fun.