A hi-tech photo and video booth is set to make its debut in Dockyard.

Jodi Lewis said the first SocialBox would be stationed there to allow tourists to take pictures and videos and upload them to social media.

Another will be hired out for events where clients can have the SocialBox and its services customised to their needs.

Ms Lewis explained SocialBox was “basically a photo booth on steroids”.

She added: “It’s a marketing tool that’s designed to engage users in an organic way. “There’s so much more than photos and videos — it has creativity with social media and it can be used for social media and e-mail campaigns.

“It collects data, can do surveys, whatever the client really wants it to do.”

The machine offers photos and video and a live-screen feed so people can send their videos to a big screen at an event.

It can also carry out surveys so companies can learn more about their markets and the social media connectivity means brands and events can be tagged and transmitted widely.

The box itself, which looks similar to a large photo booth, can also be customised with brand wraps on the outside, while photo strips can also have company branding attached.

Pictures can also be sent through e-mail from the booth to users, offering more chances to connect with potential customers.

SocialBoxes have been used by major brands like Coca Cola, car makers Lexus, courier firm UPS and Jack Daniels whiskey.

Ms Lewis, who runs Hamilton PR and marketing company JD Lewis Group, said she saw a SocialBox in Atlanta at an entrepreneurship conference.

She added: “When I got into it, I really enjoyed the experience and that I could upload right away to Facebook and Twitter — you can see everything in real time.

“I thought that it would be really good for Bermuda because it needs more innovative ways to market to people.

“It’s for event planners, marketers and individuals who want to do something new and different at their events or publicise their products.”

The first permanent SocialBox will be set up in Dockyard by next month, with a second one arriving on the island later for rentals.

Ms Lewis added: “The one in Dockyard will be useful for people who want to target the tourist market.”

“It does so much in terms of capabilities. The possibilities of running different campaigns are really unlimited.”