Social networking startup Series has appointed a humanoid robot, Uri, as its Chief Marketing Officer, debuting at Harvard with a viral campaign that blends robotics and marketing.
Series, a fast-rising social networking startup, has made headlines by appointing a humanoid robot as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), blending robotics with mainstream business leadership in a bold experiment.
The humanoid robot, named Uri, made its debut last week at Harvard University, where it spearheaded Series’ first campus marketing campaign.
Harvard Debut and Viral Campaign
Uri’s arrival was marked by a series of high-profile stunts, including a giant student composite banner in Harvard Square and a lively appearance at the Harvard versus Brown football game. The robot paraded the stands, interacted with students, and quickly became the centre of attraction.
The spectacle generated over one million views on social media within 24 hours, cementing Uri’s role as a marketing phenomenon.
Advanced Technology Behind Uri
Uri is powered by the Unitree G1 humanoid system and comes equipped with:
- 43 degrees of freedom for fluid movement.
- 3D LiDAR sensors and depth cameras for spatial awareness.
- Reinforcement learning algorithms that allow it to adapt to real-time human interactions.
Standing 1.2 metres tall, Uri has been programmed to engage with users both offline and online in ways that mimic human marketers.
During the Harvard campaign, Uri went beyond posing for photos. It handed out matcha drinks, initiated conversations, and roamed the stadium stands, blending spectacle with brand promotion.
Cost-Effective and Attention-Grabbing
Series CEO and co-founder, Nathaneo Johnson, explained the rationale behind the unconventional appointment.
Series’ Growth and Strategy
Launched as a platform to connect students and professionals, Series has already facilitated over 700,000 messages exchanged with a 95% match acceptance rate.
The company insists that Uri is not just a novelty act but part of a long-term strategy to explore how technology can enhance human connection.
The Future of Human-Robot Collaboration
By placing robotics at the centre of its growth strategy, Series is testing the boundaries of human-robot collaboration—not just in automating tasks, but in building strategy and public engagement.
For a generation that thrives on digital-first interaction, Uri may represent the next frontier of marketing leadership, redefining how brands connect with audiences in the age of AI and robotics.
