Buddy Telco teamed up with creative agency alt/shift/ to launch Chat Bot Comedy, a one-night-only live show blending stand-up with AI performance.
The sold-out event featured comedian Bron Lewis performing alongside a custom chatbot created by FutureLabs. The AI improvised lines, cued jokes and fed prompts in real time, forcing Lewis to play completely unscripted.
The concept built on Buddy Telco’s positioning line, “Digital when you want it. Human when you need it,” highlighting the brand’s digital-first model supported by a Perth-based human support team.
Elly Hewitt, alt/shift/ National CEO said: “Instead of telling people what made Buddy different, we thought, ‘What if we showed it?’ That became our springboard for Chat Bot Comedy – a show designed to capture the tension and magic that happens when clever tech meets a quick-thinking human.”
Alt/shift/ extended the campaign through social content with comedians and creators Anthony Nigro, Will Weightman and Sarah Adams, helping to drive anticipation and ticket sales.
Bron Lewis
The show also included a warm-up by Ben Knight, with comedian Karl Chandler guiding the chatbot’s comedic timing.
Rebecca Rizzo, Aussie Broadband General Manager of Marketing, said: “Buddy Telco’s Chat Bot Comedy brought our brand to life in the most unexpected way.
“It’s a reminder that while tech can do a lot, the magic happens when it’s paired with a human touch. And that’s what Buddy is all about – we blend the convenience and efficiency of digital-first service with the reassurance of real human support.”
The campaign generated 34 pieces of editorial coverage, including KIIS FM’s Will and Woody, reached 242,000 across social, and delivered a 10% lift in Buddy’s social following.
Top image: Bron Lewis