What are the most innovative, interesting, exciting chatbots used by major marketers and publishers today? This looks at a range of the best chat bots in several categories such as retail, financial services, media, entertainment, CPG, and more. These bots run on platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Kik, Skype, Telegram, Slack, and SMS. Brands featured include Bud Light, the NBA, 1-800-Flowers, Disney, Dior, Quartz, Domino's, and many more.
Note: This is an updated edition from my previous presentation. I keep making updates to this deck but SlideShare no longer allows re-uploads. If you are interested in the latest slides, email me - dberkowitz/at/serialmarketer/dot/net and I will send you a Dropbox link.
2. #brandedbots 2
About The Best Branded Bots
To keep track of some of the most interesting and cutting edge chatbots by a range of brands, I
created this guide, and it’s regularly updated.
Note that not all of these are “the best.” That’s a moving target. In some instances, the bots are
more noteworthy than amazing. But “The Most Noteworthy, Interesting, or Incredible Branded
Chatbots” is a bit of a mouthful, so forgive my liberal use of the word “best.” In time, some
noteworthy apps may be pared down, especially as better examples emerge in their categories.
As for this guide’s creator, I’m a marketer, writer, erstwhile futurist, and technological tinkerer. I like
to learn what I can from so many generous teachers, and then share as much of that as possible
with others. I hope you will find some of this useful. Your feedback, ideas, and contributions are
welcome. Feel free to contact me anytime, or just talk to my bot at m.me/serial.marketer.
David Berkowitz
david@serialmarketer.net
3. #brandedbots 3
Want to receive more updates from
Serial Marketer?
Subscribe to Serial Marketer’s monthly-ish newsletter, Serially Sporadic, to find out
when I add more examples here. Just visit bit.ly/seriallysignup.
Or, if you prefer, you can always follow me on SlideShare, bookmark the
presentation, or subscribe to my blog at serialmarketer.net/feed.
8. Agencies warn about creating me-
too voice apps
“It’s easy for brands to say, ‘I want one of
those.’ But over time, I believe brands will be
punished for bad experiences.”
— Abbey Klaassen, president of 360i
8
9. Best practices
Decide how much automation Set ground rules Test, test, test
Optimize constantly Have fun
11. #brandedbots 11
About This Bot
Name: Bud Light
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/budlight
Description: This menu-driven app
tells consumers how to win tickets to
an event, but that requires making a
purchase through another app
Date Launched: Summer 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
12.
13. #brandedbots 13
About This Bot
Name: Johnnie Walker
Platform: Messenger, Alexa
URL: m.me/JohnnieWalkerUS
Description: The bot, across
Messenger and Alexa while also
incorporated into its site, provides
drink recipes, tasting tours, and
shopping through ReserveBar, Drizly,
and Cocktail Courier
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
14. #brandedbots 14
About This Bot
Name: Macallan US
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/themacallan.us
Description: Get tips on tasting
whiskey, plus the history of the
beverage and of the brand in this
menu-driven bot
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer: Snaps
Results/Notes:
15. #brandedbots 15
About This Bot
Name: Patron
Platform: Alexa, Facebook, Twitter,
Web
URL: patrontequila.com/ask-patron
Description: Learn about tequila and
find a good margarita
Date Launched: March 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
17. #brandedbots 17
About This Bot
Name: Valassis
Platform: Messenger
URL: (via partners; B2B strategy)
Description: Display nearby
dealerships, estimate cars’ trade-in
value, set up test drive & service
appointments, secure a prequalified
loan. Licensed to dealers.
Date Launched: March 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes: Feldman Automotive:
100,000 people served monthly,
leading to 50-60 car purchases
19. #brandedbots 19
About This Bot
Name: Katy Perry’s Mad Love (by
Coty and Katy Perry Perfums)
Platform: Kik
URL: bots.kik.com/#/KPMadLove
Description: Consumers can
exchange Kik points for the perfume
– the first time consumers can
redeem rewards points for physical
goods in a US chat app
Date Launched: August 2016
Developer: Block Party
Results/Notes:
20. #brandedbots 20
About This Bot
Name: Sephora
Platform: Kik
URL: bots.kik.com/#/sephora
Description: The first beauty brand
to create a Kik bot, it offers
recommendations and allows for in-
app purchases
Date Launched: March 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
22. #brandedbots 22
About This Bot
Name: GE Appliances
Platform: Alexa
URL:
http://www.geappliances.com/ge/conn
ected-appliances/voice-activated-
appliances.htm
Description: GE upgrades its WiFi-
connected appliances with Amazon
Alexa integration
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
23. #brandedbots 23
About This Bot
Name: Glad Leftovers
Platform: Alexa
URL:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS
K0GFN
Description: Set reminders for when
you store leftovers in your fridge or
freezer
Date Launched: December 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
24. #brandedbots 24
About This Bot
Name: LEGO’s Ralph
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/LEGO
Description: Browse recommended
LEGO sets via menu-driven interface;
go to lego.com to purchase
Date Launched: November 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
25. #brandedbots 25
About This Bot
Name: LEGO’s Duplo Stories
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com
Description: Interactive stories
designed for kids ages 205
Date Launched: May 2018
Developer:
Results/Notes:
27. #brandedbots 27
About This Bot
Name: Doc Brown, promoting “Back
to the Future” by Universal
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/DocBrownHillValley
Description: Doc Brown chatted up
fans of the film series to find out why
the real 2015 was so different from
the movie version
Date Launched: October 2015
Developer: Imperson
Results/Notes: This was a limited
release bot
28. #brandedbots 28
About This Bot
Name: Genius (National Geographic
Channel)
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/NatGeoGenius
Description: A bot impersonating
Albert Einstein to promote National
Geographic’s show “Genius”
Date Launched: April 2017
Developer: Imperson, with agency
360i
Results/Notes:
29. #brandedbots 29
About This Bot
Name: Jurassic World Revealed
Platform: Messenger
URL: amazon.com
Description: A dull bit of storytelling
that can’t make dinosaurs sound
exciting, and then it pushes you to
buy more of the experience for $2.99
Date Launched: July 2018
Developer: Universal Brand
Development, Earplay
Results/Notes:
30. #brandedbots 30
About This Bot
Name: LiveNation
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/LiveNation
Description: Find your next show
Date Launched: September 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
31. #brandedbots 31
About This Bot
Name: The Long Road Home
Platform: Google Home
URL: Official release
Description: In time for Veteran’s
Day and in conjunction with the show
The Long Road Home, National
Geographic Channel released the
first voice-activated meditation app
specifically for veterans
Date Launched: November 2017
Developer: 360i
Results/Notes:
32. #brandedbots 32
About This Bot
Name: Mr. Robot (USA Network)
Platform: Alexa
URL: Amazon.com
Description: A mind-bending game
from the creators of the twisted show
Date Launched: September 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
33. #brandedbots 33
About This Bot
Name: MTV
Platform: Alexa
URL: Amazon.com
Description: Launched to allow voice
voting for MTA’s Video Music Awards
(VMAs) in 2018
Date Launched: August 2018
Developer:
Results/Notes:
34. #brandedbots 34
About This Bot
Name: Now You See Me 2
Platforms: Kik, Messenger
URL: m.me/NowYouSeeMeGame /
bots.kik.com/#/nowyouseemegame
Description: An interactive game for
the movie sequel’s launch – but one
with very limited and forced options in
terms of choosing the flow of the
game
Date Launched: June 2016
Developer: Sequel
Results/Notes:
35. #brandedbots 35
About This Bot
Name: NBA (National Basketball
Association)
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/nba
Description: Originally launched for
the NBA finals, it continues to offer
resources on teams, players, and
league news
Date Launched: June 2016
Developer: WSC Sports
Technologies
Results/Notes:
36. #brandedbots 36
About This Bot
Name: Paddy Power
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com
Description: ‘Paddy-fied’ news from
this Irish media property
Date Launched: September 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes: Read more at
Econsultancy
37. #brandedbots 37
About This Bot
Name: Sacramento Kings (NBA)
Platform: Native mobile app (iOS,
Android) + Messenger
URL: www.nba.com/kings/kings-app
Description: A new app to
accompany the Kings’ new stadium
features KAI (Kings Artificial
Intelligence) to handle fan queries;
KAI directs to the Messenger
experience
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer: Built.io, M&C Saatchi LA
Results/Notes:
38. #brandedbots 38
About This Bot
Name: Sesame Street
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com
Description: Interact with the
character on Sesame Street who is
the hardest to understand, Elmo! Play
hide and seek with him (an odd
choice for voice) or a letter game.
Date Launched: August 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
39. #brandedbots 39
About This Bot
Name: Spider-Man (Sony)
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com
Description: Get Spidey jokes and
other updates for the Spider-Man
Homecoming movie (summer 2017)
Date Launched: June 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
40. #brandedbots 40
About This Bot
Name: Spongebob Squarepants
(Nickelodeon)
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com
Description: Take orders from Bikini
Bottom while managing the Krusty
Krab in this interactive game. More
than 80 memory challenges feature
70 characters from the series.
Date Launched: September 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
41. #brandedbots 41
About This Bot
Name: Stranger Things (Netflix)
Platform: Google Home
URL: “Ok, Google, talk to Dustin from
Stranger Things”
Description: Dustin from Stranger
Things leads you through this
interactive game where he discovers
a new species. Hint: Eleven’s favorite
food is Eggo waffles.
Date Launched: October 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
42. #brandedbots 42
About This Bot
Name: Zootopia (Disney)
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/DisneyZootopia
Description: This detective game
includes personalized badges for the
sleuths
Date Launched: June 2016
Developer: Imperson
Results/Notes: Currently inactive (it
ran ahead of the film’s DVD release)
44. #brandedbots 44
About This Bot
Name: Adidas Women UK
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/adidasWomenUK
Description: The Adidas Studio
London bot gives information about
the women’s fitness classes there
Date Launched:
Developer:
Results/Notes:
45. #brandedbots 45
About This Bot
Name: Burberry
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/burberry
Description: Launched for London
Fashion Week 2016, it offers details
on the new collection with links to buy
new additions, has an option for live
chat, and directs users to watch the
runway show
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
46. #brandedbots 46
About This Bot
Name: Dior
Platform: WeChat
URL: bots.kik.com/#/KPMadLove
Description: France’s Dior is the first
designer to sell a limited edition
product on China’s WeChat
Date Launched: August 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
47. #brandedbots 47
About This Bot
Name: Michael Kors
Platform: WeChat
URL:
Description: Customer service for
shoppers remote and in-store, it
allows for a more personalized
shopping experience
Date Launched: July 2015
Developer:
Results/Notes:
48. #brandedbots 48
About This Bot
Name: Lokai (with charity:water)
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/livelokai
Description: Jewelry brand Lokai
partnered with charity:water for
perhaps the first branded cause
marketing bot, with 2.5 hours of
content illustrating the 2.5 hours of
walking that girls like Yeshi must do to
get water
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer: AKQA
Results/Notes:
49. #brandedbots 49
About This Bot
Name: Tommy Hilfiger
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/tommyhilfiger
Description: TMY.GRL A.I.
Messenger Bot showcases the new
fashion line featuring supermodel Gigi
Hadid. While menu driven, it also
understands text commands.
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer: Facebook, Msg.ai
Results/Notes:
51. #brandedbots 51
About This Bot
Name: American Express
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/AmericanExpressUS
Description: This AmEx US pilot
sends messages about purchases
made with the card, and offers info
about the card’s benefits. It
specifically isn’t designed for
customer service.
Date Launched: October 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
52. #brandedbots 52
About This Bot
Name: American Express
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com/dp/B01MDMHNZ7
Description: Make payments, get
offers, check your balance all via
voice
Date Launched: May 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
53. #brandedbots 53
About This Bot
Name: Capital One
Platform: Amazon Alexa
URL:
capitalone.com/applications/alexa
Description: The bank’s customers
can check balances, pay bills, and
track spending
Date Launched: March 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
55. #brandedbots 55
About This Bot
Name: MasterCard
Platform: Messenger
URL: newsroom.mastercard.com
Description: Mastercard is launching
bots for bank and merchant powers to
provide AI-powered assistance to
consumers
Date Launched: October 2016
(announced)
Developer: Kasisto
Results/Notes:
56. #brandedbots 56
About This Bot
Name: PayPal
Platform: Messenger
URL:
capitalone.com/applications/alexa
Description: PayPal is rolling out as
a payment option for Messenger
commerce in the US, and PayPal US
customers can receive alerts via
Messenger
Date Launched: October 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
57. #brandedbots 57
About This Bot
Name: Western Union
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/WesternUnion
Description: Send money, track a
transfer, or contact customer care
Date Launched: April 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
60. #brandedbots 60
About This Bot
Name: Betty Crocker
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com/skills
Description: Via General Mills: “The
Betty Crocker Skill delivers cooking
tips, measurements and substitutions
so you can keep your hands free and
preparation on point.”
Date Launched: November 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
61. #brandedbots 61
About This Bot
Name: Campbell’s Kitchen
Platform: Amazon Alexa
URL: askcampbellskitchen.com
Description: One of the first Echo
brand bots, it recommends recipes
based on user preferences, the
weather, and trending topics. Ad Age
reports it was the fastest skill ever to
be certified by Amazon at the time.
Date Launched: October 2015
Developer: Rain
Results/Notes:
62. #brandedbots 62
About This Bot
Name: Delissio (Nestle)
Platform: Twitter
URL: twitter.com/delissio
Description: Get tips on baking
pizzas and recipes for #PizzaNight
Date Launched: August 2017
Developer: Massively
Results/Notes: H/T Stephen Gigliotty
63. #brandedbots 63
About This Bot
Name: Nestle GoodNes
Platform: Amazon Alexa
URL:
https://www.amazon.com/Nestl%C3%
A9-GoodNes/dp/B06XX4T2MQ
Description: Discover recipes, and
use an accompanying Visual Guide
Date Launched: May 2017
Developer: Mobiquity
Results/Notes:
64. #brandedbots 64
About This Bot
Name: Philadelphia Cream Cheese
(Kraft)
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/philadelphiacreamcheese
Description: Conversational bot to
share recipe and ingredient info, with
lots of visual elements and emoji
responses. Launched in early 2017, it
seemed to stop functioning by
October of that year.
Date Launched: January 2017
Developer: Massively
Results/Notes: Case study via
Massively: 57 messages per user,
45% of users returned, 77% of users
viewed recipes, 2.5 minutes average
time spent per session. H/T Stephen
Gigliotty
66. #brandedbots 66
About This Bot
Name: Trolli
Platform: Trolli USA
URL: m.me/trolliusa
Description: This is the strangest
chat bot I’ve seen from a brand, with
personality quizzes, games, GIFs,
and other content
Date Launched: July 2016
Developer: Periscope
Results/Notes:
68. #brandedbots 68
About This Bot
Name: Allrecipes
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com/skills
Description: Get cooking ideas and
discover recipes with step-by-step
guides
Date Launched: November 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
69. #brandedbots 69
About This Bot
Name: Allrecipes’ Barkeep
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/barkeep
Description: Cocktail recipes from
Allrecipes featuring Tito’s vodka at
launch
Date Launched: July 2018
Developer:
Results/Notes:
70. #brandedbots 70
About This Bot
Name: Arby’s
Platform: Messenger
URL: messenger.com/t/arbys
Description: A parody bot that will
absolutely not order you a Pizza
Slider
Date Launched: June 2017
Developer:
Results/Notes:
71. #brandedbots 71
About This Bot
Name: DOM the Pizza Bot by
Domino’s
Platform: Messenger
URL:
messenger.com/t/domthepizzabot/
Description: Use the Easy Order
button to get your pizza fix
Date Launched: August 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes: At the launch, it’s UK
and Ireland only
72. #brandedbots 72
About This Bot
Name: Domino’s
Platform: Amazon Alexa
URL: www.amazon.com/Dominos-
Pizza-LLC/dp/B01B5G99CC
Description: Reorder your favorite
grub with Easy Order, or use
Domino’s Tracker to find out where
your food is. Funny though – they call
this whole step by step guide “easy.”
Date Launched: February 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
73. #brandedbots 76
About This Bot
Name: Taco Bell’s Tacobot
Platform: Slack
URL: www.tacobell.com/feed/tacobot
Description: Add Tacobot on Slack to
ask questions about the menu, order
food, find locations, and ask fun
questions like how it’s feeling
Date Launched: April 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes: Announced in April
2016 but as of October 2016, there is
a waitlist for access
74. #brandedbots 77
About This Bot
Name: TGI Friday’s
Platform: Kik, Messenger, Twitter
URL: m.me/TGIFridays
Description: Find restaurants, order
food, and make reservations through
this multi-platform bot. As of October
2017, on Messenger, it only included
basic store location and information –
no ordering.
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer: Conversable
Results/Notes:
75. #brandedbots 78
About This Bot
Name: Whole Foods Market
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/wholefoods
Description: Search or browse for
recipes. The recipes direct to landing
pages on Whole Foods’ site.
Date Launched: July 2016
Developer: Conversable
Stats/Results/Notes:
77. #brandedbots
The White House
80
About This Bot
Name: The White House
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/whitehouse
Description: Send messages to the
president via this form in this bot with
one very specific purpose
Date Launched: August 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
79. #brandedbots 82
About This Bot
Name: Lifestyles SKYN Set the
Mood
Platform: Alexa
URL: amazon.com/SKYN-Condoms-
Set-the-Mood/dp/B0722DCVVQ/
Description: For those 18+, get
some curated music for five different
moods – and find out where to buy
condoms
Date Launched: June 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
80. #brandedbots 83
About This Bot
Name: SKYN Voice Analyzer
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/skynvoiceanalyzer
Description: Skyn requests a snippet
of your voice and analyzes it
Date Launched: June 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
81. #brandedbots 84
About This Bot
Name: Playtex (P&G)
Platform: Kik
URL: kik.me/playtexsport
Description: Talk about things like
one’s period, working out, nutrition,
and more
Date Launched: 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
82. #brandedbots 85
About This Bot
Name: Zyrtec (Johnson & Johnson)
Platform: Amazon Alexa
URL:
amazon.com/dp/B06XQ71CLR/ref=sr
_1_1
Description: Get weather reports
with local pollen counts and trending
allergens
Date Launched: April 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
84. #brandedbots 87
About This Bot
Name: Business Insider
Platform: Line
URL: line.me/R/ti/p/@businessinsider
Description: Tech and finance news
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes: Reached
35,000 in first 24 hours, 230,000
followers in first two weeks (Digiday)
85. #brandedbots 88
About This Bot
Name: CNN
Platform: Kik
URL: bots.kik.com/#/cnn
Description: Explore topics, save
favorite stories for later, and get
personalized news recommendations
Date Launched: July 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
86. #brandedbots 89
About This Bot
Name: Harvard Business Review
Platform: Slack
URL: hbr.org/hbr-bot-for-slack
Description: The app shares
business advice through the business
collaboration platform
Date Launched: October 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
87. #brandedbots 90
About This Bot
Name: National Geographic Geo
Quiz
Platform: Alexa
URL:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071S
2LLQN
Description: Try six questions from
National Geographic
Date Launched: June 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
88. #brandedbots 91
About This Bot
Name: Quartz
Platform: Native app
URL:
itunes.apple.com/us/app/quartz-
news-in-a-whole-new-
way/id1076683233
Description: Instead of delivering
standard news alerts, Quartz offers a
conversational, emoji-rife flow.
Date Launched: February 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
89. #brandedbots 92
About This Bot
Name: SI x GameOn Olympics Bot
by Sports Illustrated
Platform: Slack, Telegram, Skype,
Messenger
URL: getgameonapp.com/si-gameon/
Description: While promoting
coverage of the Rio games, Sports
Illustrated is one of the first
mainstream American brands to
launch bots on Slack, Telegram, and
Skype
Date Launched: August 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
90. #brandedbots 93
About This Bot
Name: The Sun
Platform: Messenger
URL: facebook.com/TheSunFootball/
Description: Get team-specific
football (aka soccer) alerts from this
UK publication
Date Launched: February 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes: At its peak,
43% of chatbot users clicked through
to The Sun’s site (Digiday)
91. #brandedbots 94
About This Bot
Name: Vogue
Platform: Google Home
URL: vogue.com
Description: Talk to Vogue via Home
to get exclusive takes from Vogue’s
editors about celebrities featured in
their September 2017 issue
Date Launched: August 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
93. #brandedbots 96
About This Bot
Name: 1-800-FLOWERS
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/1800flowers
Description: Shop for flowers or get
support for your order
Date Launched: April 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
94. #brandedbots 97
About This Bot
Name: Casper’s Insomnobot 3000
Platform: Web
URL: insomnobot3000.com/
Description: Only available between
11pm and 5am, it’s a chatbot for night
owls
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
95. #brandedbots 98
About This Bot
Name: College Stylist Bot by Target
Platform: Kik
URL: bots.kik.com/#/targetcollegebot
Description: Get ideas for how to
decorate a college dorm room
Date Launched:
Developer:
Results/Notes:
96. #brandedbots 99
About This Bot
Name: H&M
Platform: Kik
URL: bots.kik.com/#/hm
Description: A personal stylist bot
that builds recommendations around
clothing of the consumer’s choice
Date Launched:
Developer:
Results/Notes:
97. #brandedbots 100
About This Bot
Name: Victoria’s Secret Pink
Platform: Kik
URL: bots.kik.com/#/vspink
Description: Answer questions to
determine the right size bra, and get
recommendations for the best bra for
you
Date Launched:
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
99. #brandedbots 102
About This Bot
Name: Coldwell Banker Home of the
week
Platform: Alexa
URL: bots.kik.com/#/vspink
Description: Get a weekly audio tour
of the home of the week. If only they
could get Robin Leach to do this.
Date Launched: June 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
101. #brandedbots 104
About This Bot
Name: Microsoft/Bing/Skype
Platform: Skype
URL:
Description: Skype-powered
chatbots appear for listings for select
local businesses when searching in
Bin
Date Launched: April 2017
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes: Read more at
Search Engine Land
103. #brandedbots 106
About This Bot
Name: UPS
Platform: Alexa, Messenger, Skype
URL: m.me/theupsbot
Description: Offers shipping rates,
finding UPS locations, tracking
packages. Makes big claim about AI,
but the “learning journey” is early.
This isn’t really AI.
Date Launched: November 2016
Developer: in-house
Stats/Results/Notes:
105. #brandedbots 108
About This Bot
Name: Airbnb
Platform: iMessage
URL: Airbnb on iTunes Store
Description: Integration with
iMessage, allows for booking within
the conversation
Date Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
106. #brandedbots 109
About This Bot
Name: Alaska Airlines’ Jenn
Platform: Web
URL: alaskaair.com (click “Ask Jenn”)
Description: A self-service customer
service bot that is one of the longest-
running yet created
Date Launched: February 2008
Developer: Next IT
Results/Notes: More than 20 million
questions answered
107. #brandedbots 110
About This Bot
Name: Amtrak’s Ask Julie
Platform: Web
URL: Amtrak.com (click “Ask Julie” in
the top search bar)
Description: A self-service customer
service bot, building on the 800-USA-
RAIL phone support launched a
number of years earlier
Date Launched: October 2012
Developer: Next IT
Results/Notes:
108. #brandedbots 111
About This Bot
Name: Hilton
Platform: Web
URL:
Description: An AI-driven booking
assistant
Date Launched: June 2016
Developer: [24]7 Inc
Results/Notes: Expanding initial
rollout from UK and Ireland, but not
yet available everywhere as of Q4
2016
109. #brandedbots 112
About This Bot
Name: Kayak
Platform: Alexa
URL:
amazon.com/KAYAK/dp/B01EILLOXI/
ref=sr_1_1
Description: An AI-driven booking
assistant
Date Launched: May 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
110. #brandedbots 113
About This Bot
Name: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Platform: Messenger
URL: messenger.klm.com
Description: During booking or
check-in, opt to integrate with
Messenger to receive relevant travel
updates
Date Launched: March 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
111. #brandedbots 114
About This Bot
Name: Uber
Platform: Amazon Alexa
URL: amazon.com/Uber-
Technologies-Inc/dp/B01AYJQ9QK
Description: Use voice commands to
order and Uber or UberX, or track
your ride status
Date Launched: February 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
112. #brandedbots 115
About This Bot
Name: Uber
Platform: Messenger
URL: uber.com/messengerlaunch/
Description: Unlike other bots where
you interact with a bot, Uber (and its
nemesis Lyft) are integrated within
Messenger, so you can book rides
directly while conversing with others
Date Launched: December 2015
Developer:
Results/Notes:
114. #brandedbots 117
Useful Resources
• Bots.directory: a bot directory
• Bot Finder: a bot directory
• Botlist: an app store for bots
• Botpages: the world’s largest open bot directory
• Bots Facebook group: 10,000+ members
• chatbots Weekly: newsletter
• Kik Bot Shop: directory of their bots
• Stephen Ghigliotty: bot maven and instructor at University of Toronto
• Telegram Bot Store: directory of their bots
• TopBot’s Best of Bots: a site and very useful weekly newsletter
116. #brandedbots 119
About The Author
Name: David Berkowitz, Chief
Strategy Officer of Sysomos and
blogger at SerialMarketer.net
Bot Platform: Messenger
Bot URL: m.me/serial.marketer
Email: david@serialmarketer.net
Website: www.serialmarketer.net
Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn:
@dberkowitz
Results/Notes: 15+ year agency and
digital media veteran (eMarketer,
360i, MRY, Sysomos) in marketing,
strategy, and innovation roles
Notes de l'éditeur
Tweet this http://ctt.ec/nOeu9
www.serialmarketer.net
www.bit.ly/brandedbots
Where bots can run
Chat apps – Messenger, WhatsApp, Kik, Telegram
Business communication apps: Slack, Skype for Business
Social networks: Twitter, Instagram
SMS
Voice assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana
Native sites/apps
Customer service
Promotion
Productivity
Entertainment (Idris Elba)
Information
Discovery
Retention
Demand
Format
Measurement
On the topic of creating voice-activated-speaker experiences: “It’s easy for brands to say, ‘I want one of those.’ But over time, I believe brands will be punished for bad experiences.” — Abbey Klaassen, president of 360i NY
Think With Google newsletter, June 2018
Decide on automation vs human-assisted
Set groundrules – what will it cover, what won’t it
Test it – including with your exising audience
Optimize constantly - look for where people get stuck, prevent that from happening next time
Don’t fear having a bit of fun. People often test these things out – eg say I Love You. Within reason, let them.
Voice: Jim Beam shot decanter
http://shortyawards.com/10th/jim-the-first-smart-decanter
https://smile.amazon.com/MTV/dp/B07FTRB6DQ?ref_=pe_1840220_294249530_sub_aucc_mx_crm_080318_vma
At the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, everything might happen! Now it’s your chance to choose which nominee will win Artist of the Year. Tell us who you’d like to vote for daily through August 10 and be sure to catch the 2018 VMAs Monday, August 20 at 9/8c on MTV to see if your pick wins!
http://www.psfk.com/2016/08/dior-sells-handbags-in-china-using-wechat.html
“Luxury brand Dior is the first designer to sell a limited edition bag directly on the massive Chinese social network WeChat” – PSFK
More: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2016-08/03/content_26332279.htm
People are still coming around to the opportunity though. For example, in the past year, the team had noticed a trend in customers texting Eno “NAP,” according to Plummer.
“We were like ‘What’s going on? Are customers tired? Why is everybody texting NAP?’ And we realized the letters N-A-P are next to the letters B-A-L. People were mistyping when they meant to type BAL for balance so Eno eventually recognized that and now whenever you type NAP you get your balance.”
https://www.capitalone.com/applications/eno/
https://digiday.com/marketing/weve-trained-customers-super-rigid-lessons-capital-ones-chatbot-eno/amp/
Video: Western Union bot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=0_CHxItjEbQ
http://shortyawards.com/10th/western-union-facebook-bot-launch
The Facebook BOT campaign resulted in a reach of over 280 million, with high video completion rates in the 92%, exceeding benchmarks across all partners. We had a 560% increase in total users over an 8 month period, and a 2800% increase in revenue in the Facebook BOT since launch.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allrecipes-partners-with-titos-handmade-vodka-to-bring-barkeep-chatbot-to-spirits-enthusiasts-worldwide-300686932.html
https://www.messenger.com/t/barkeep
https://venturebeat.com/2018/07/26/titos-homemade-vodka-partners-with-allrecipes-on-barkeep-a-mixologist-chatbot/amp/
VentureBeat:
Next time you’re on the hunt for a new dinner recipe, a helpful chatbot might recommend a cocktail pairing — and even help place a delivery order for the ingredients. Food site Allrecipes today announced a partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka that’ll see the latter’s artificial intelligent bartender, Barkeep, integrated with Allrecipes’ recipe flow.