Simi is an artificial intelligence powered Facebook Messenger chatbot, developed by Yellow Messenger that offers interactive and personalizedchat interface.
Will let consumers choose from over 2000 cocktails that can be easily made at home.
13th December, 2016: United Spirits – A Diageo Group Company is embracing conversational interfaces with the launch of India’s first artificial intelligence powered chatbot that offers bartending solutions. Simi – Your Personal Bartender is a Facebook Messenger chatbot, developed by Yellow Messenger, a Bangalore based start-up that has developed customized Digital assistants through botplatform.iotechnology.
Simi – Your Personal Bartender chatbot will offer over 200o DIY cocktail recipes which can be made with simple ingredients like juices, mint, lime, cola etc and mixed with USL - Diageo’s iconic brands like Black Dog Whisky, Black & White Whisky, Johnnie Walker Whisky, Smirnoff Vodka, Tanqueray Gin and Captain Morgan Rum among others.
The chatbot has been designed to gain intelligence through conversations and will start by offering bartending recommendations based on combination of ingredients and alcohol preference. Going forward it will also offer cocktail recipe choices based on celebratory themes like brunch party, family celebrations, easy evenings and bachelor party. Simi will also get integrated across all USL – Diageo brand pages on Facebook and with the company’s lifestyle website liveinstyle.com.
Commenting on the launch, B. Sridhar, VP – Digital at USL – Diageo said, “There is a shift in the way consumers are interacting with brands today and through this conversational interface we wanted to build a first of its kind bartending solution that is not just cutting edge, but can also help us offer our consumers personalization at scale. We believe Simi will open up a world of drinks and has the potential to transform how alcohol is consumed at home”.
"There are over 3 billion highly engaged users on messaging platforms globally and we believe chatbots powered by artificial intelligence will prove to be the next big technology intervention which will prove to be a game changer in how brands engage with its consumers to provide a unique, interactive and personalized experience. In India, USL - Diageo is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence among consumer brands through Simi and we are happy to partner them in developing and powering this experience" adds Raghu Ravinutala, Founder of Yellow Messsenger.
About United Spirits Limited
United Spirits Limited (USL) is a subsidiary of Diageo plc which is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. In 2013-14, Diageo plc acquired a 54.8% shareholding in United Spirits making India one of its largest markets.
Founded in 1826, USL is the largest Indian spirits company, selling around 120 mn cases annually, involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of beverage alcohol. USL produces and sells Scotch whisky, IMFL whisky, brandy, rum, vodka, gin and wine. Its portfolio includes much-loved brands such as McDowell's No.1, Royal Challenge, Signature, and Antiquity. USL also imports, manufactures and sells Diageo’s iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker, VAT 69, Black & White, Smirnoff and Ciroc in India. The company also successfully operates strong brand extensions like Black Dog Sparkling Water, Smirnoff Experience, Royal Challenge Sports Drink, McDowell’s No.1 Soda and Bagpiper Soda among others.
The company is listed on the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange). For more information about United Spirits Limited, our people, vision, brands, and performance visit us at www.unitedspirits.in.