Vending machine advertising apparatus and method

A vending machine display apparatus for a vending machine having a plurality of user-manipulatable controls, each user-manipulatable control operable to generate dispense of a product associated with the user-manipulatable control, the vending machine display apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of electroluminescent displays adapted to be coupled to the vending machine proximate the user-manipulatable controls;
• at least one controller coupled to the plurality of electroluminescent displays, the at least one controller operable to generate animation upon the plurality of electroluminescent displays;
• and
• a plurality of power lines electrically coupled to the plurality of electroluminescent displays.

A method of advertising products in a vending machine, the method comprising:

• supplying power to an electroluminescent display coupled to the vending machine, the electroluminescent display associated with a user-manipulatable control on the vending machine;
• controlling a supply of power to the electroluminescent display via a controller;
• and
• generating animation on the electroluminescent display by controlling the supply of power thereto, the animation including an advertisement for a product dispensed by operation of the user-manipulatable control.