Wall Street Journal Fires Up IM Bot

[BigBlueBall News]

Jeff Hester

May 9, 2003

The Wall Street Journal Online and Infinite Agent have introduced a new IM bot for AOL Instant Messenger. WSJOnline is the name of the new chat bot, and it lets you get news headlines and stock quotes, all via your instant messenger.

Much of the detailed information links back to their web site (where much of the content is available to subscribers only). But the basic headlines, news briefs and stock quotes are free.

The other notable feature of this bot is that all messages feature inline advertising at the bottom. This is a first. It’s being served by advertising giant DoubleClick, and they actually have a paying customer; one, to be precise. IBM is using the space to insert text-based ads, some of which include links back to their web site. If it proves successful, you can bet we’ll begin seeing much more of this in the future.

To try this bot, send a message to "WSJOnline" using AOL Instant Messenger. You’ll get a menu of options to choose from. If you’re already running AIM now, you can simply click here to send a message, or here to add WSJOnline to your buddy list.

Related Links

WSJ, InfiniteAgent Launch News Bot - Instant Messaging Planet

Infinite Agent web site

Overview of WSJOnline Bot - WSJ.COM

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