the best branded bots
TRANSCRIPT
theBest
Branded Bots
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David [email protected]
@dberkowitz
#brandedbots
Check out 35+ bots!
(and counting)
bit.ly/brandedbots
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About The Best Branded BotsTo 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 [email protected]
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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.
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Table of Contents • Branded Bots by Category
• Alcohol (Beer, Wine, Spirits)• Beauty• Consumer Goods• Entertainment• Fashion• Financial Services• Food & Beverage• Government• Media• Retail• Travel• Transportation
• Resources• Useful resources• Bot developers referenced• About the author
ALCOHOL (BEER, WINE, SPIRITS)
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: Johnnie Walker
Platform: Messenger, Echo
URL: m.me/JohnnieWalkerUS
Description: The bot, across Messenger and Echo while also incorporated into its site, provides drink recipes, tasting tours, and shopping through ReserveBar, Drizly, and Cocktail CourierDate Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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 botDate Launched: September 2016
Developer: Snaps
Results/Notes:
BEAUTY
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About This BotName: 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 appDate Launched: August 2016
Developer: Block Party
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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 purchasesDate Launched: March 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
CONSUMER GOODS
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About This BotName: GE Appliances
Platform: Echo
URL: http://www.geappliances.com/ge/connected-appliances/voice-activated-appliances.htmDescription: GE upgrades its WiFi-connected appliances with Amazon Echo integrationDate Launched: September 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
ENTERTAINMENT
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About This BotName: Doc Brown, promoting “Back to the Future” by UniversalPlatform: 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 versionDate Launched: October 2015
Developer: Imperson
Results/Notes: This was a limited release bot
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About This BotName: Disney’s Zootopia
Platform: Messenger
URL: m.me/DisneyZootopia
Description: This detective game includes personalized badges for the sleuthsDate Launched: June 2016
Developer: Imperson
Results/Notes: Currently inactive (it ran ahead of the film’s DVD release)
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About This BotName: Now You See Me 2
Platforms: Kik, Messenger
URL: m.me/NowYouSeeMeGame / bots.kik.com/#/nowyouseemegameDescription: 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 gameDate Launched: June 2016
Developer: Sequel
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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 newsDate Launched: June 2016
Developer: WSC Sports TechnologiesResults/Notes:
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About This BotName: Sacramento Kings (NBA)
Platform: Native mobile app (iOS, Android) + MessengerURL: 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 experienceDate Launched: September 2016
Developer: Built.io, M&C Saatchi LA
Results/Notes:
FASHION
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
FINANCIAL SERVICES
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: Capital One
Platform: Amazon Echo
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:
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
FOOD & BEVERAGE
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About This BotName: Allrecipes
Platform: Echo
URL: amazon.com/skills
Description: Get cooking ideas and discover recipes with step-by-step guides
Date Launched: November 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: Campbell’s Kitchen
Platform: Amazon Echo
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:
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About This BotName: 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
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About This BotName: Domino’s
Platform: cho
URL: www.amazon.com/Dominos-Pizza-LLC/dp/B01B5G99CCDescription: Reorder your favorite grub with Easy Order, or use Domino’s Tracker to find out where your food is
Date Launched: February 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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
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About This BotName: TGI Friday’s
Platform: Kik, Messenger, Twitter
URL: m.me/TGIFridays
Description: Find restaurants, order food, and make reservations through this multi-platform bot. Date Launched: September 2016
Developer: Conversable
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
government
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The White House About This BotName: 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 purposeDate Launched: August 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
MEDIA
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About This BotName: 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)
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About This BotName: CNN
Platform: Kik
URL: bots.kik.com/#/cnn
Description: Explore topics, save favorite stories for later, and get personalized news recommendationsDate Launched: July 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: Harvard Business Review
Platform: Slack
URL: hbr.org/hbr-bot-for-slack
Description: The app shares business advice through the business collaboration platformDate Launched: October 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: Quartz
Platform: Native app
URL: itunes.apple.com/us/app/quartz-news-in-a-whole-new-way/id1076683233Description: Instead of delivering standard news alerts, Quartz offers a conversational, emoji-rife flow.Date Launched: February 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: SI x GameOn Olympics Bot by Sports IllustratedPlatform: Slack, Telegram, Skype, MessengerURL: 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 SkypeDate Launched: August 2016
Developer:
Stats/Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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)
RETAIL
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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:
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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: Septemer 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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:
TRANSPORTATION
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About This BotName: UPS
Platform: Echo, Messenger, Skype
URL: m.me/theupsbot
Description: Offers shipping rates, finding UPS locations, tracking packages
Date Launched: November 2016
Developer: in-house
Stats/Results/Notes:
TRAVEL
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About This BotName: 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
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: 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
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About This BotName: 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:
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About This BotName: Uber
Platform: Amazon Echo
URL: amazon.com/Uber-Technologies-Inc/dp/B01AYJQ9QKDescription: Use voice commands to order and Uber or UberX, or track your ride status
Date Launched: February 2016
Developer:
Results/Notes:
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About This BotName: 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:
RESOURCES
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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• Telegram Bot Store: directory of their bots• TopBot’s Best of Bots: a site and very useful weekly newsletter
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Bot Developers Referenced• Block Party• Chatfuel• Conversable• Imperson• Kasisto (KAI)• msg.ai• Periscope• Rain• Sequel• WSC Sports Technologies
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About The AuthorName: David Berkowitz, principal of consultancy Serial MarketerBot Platform: Messenger
Bot URL: m.me/serial.marketer
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.serialmarketer.net
Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn: @dberkowitzResults/Notes: 15+ year agency and digital media veteran (eMarketer, 360i, MRY) in marketing, strategy, and innovation roles