Virtual agent online concept using novomind technology wins the Real Estate Marketing Award 2003:

Online agent, created using novomind technology, wins award
She answers questions and assists visitors throughout their time on the Bayrische Hausbau GmbH website. "Marie-Louise" is a virtual agent created using novomind IQ technology and the brainchild of novomind’s Hamburg-based partner, kiwi interaktive medien. Now, "Marie-Louise" has been honored for her work as an online realtor for apartments and office units located in the Falkenried area of Hamburg. During the Real Estate Marketing Awards 2003, Bayerische Hausbau received an award for "Best Online Concept".

Outstanding customer communication
Up till now, the German real estate sector has only occasionally turned to the internet as a marketing tool. "With www.falkenried.de, Bayerische Hausbau has shown us that target group-oriented communication can be effectively combined with new media," says Marco Busacker, novomind AG’s CMO. The concept of "employing" a virtual realtor opens up a range of new perspectives and possibilities. "And the fact that the agent could developed entirely independently by our partner, kiwi, proves that we are a market leader in this field of technology," adds Busacker.

"Marie-Louise" played a decisive role in ensuring the success of Bayerische Hausbau’s web presence: it wasn’t long before 20 percent of the long-term leases for available office space had been signed and over 30 percent of the apartment units sold. "The "Falkenried Piazza" application has enabled us to prove that exclusive real estate can be marketed using an innovative online concept," states kiwi interaktive medien GmbH´s CEO, Martina Kadenbach. This was a decisive factor for the jury at this year’s Real Estate Marketing Awards. Their praise focused on the virtual agent’s capacity to provide "the human touch and a bond of trust", according to Marco Busacker: "This award belongs first and foremost to the people on the kiwi creative team".

novomind: a leading provider of intelligent software
novomind AG provides software for the customer communications sector, enabling optimized processes and lower costs. The solution focuses on future-oriented service, efficient and personalized communication and higher-performance administration. The self-service solutions provide e-mail management, real time communication and automated customer services via virtual assistants known as novomind IQ agents™. Leading companies from across the market sectors – including Bertelsmann, Otto, Sparkasse Erlangen, BKK Zollern-Alb, Travelocity and T-Systems – have already successfully implemented novomind systems to optimize customer loyalty and boost turnover.

kiwi: a novomind AG partner
Hamburg-based kiwi interaktive medien is one of Germany’s most experienced multimedia agencies. Since 1993, kiwi has been planning, developing and creating digital ads and information (online and offline). From the start, they have created virtual internet agents to answer product-related questions or just chat with site visitors. Charlie was online for the Hamburger Morgenpost, Twipsy was there for Expo 2000, Apollinaris has an internet oracle, Leo represents Schweppes, JET gas stations have a talking petrol pump and Marie-Louise Neugebauer is a sales assistant for BHG. kiwi has more working bots online than any other agency worldwide.

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