ASKJ >> Daimler Chrysler Newest Customer >> NEWS
Sunday January 23, 3:03 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
DaimlerChrysler Selects Ask Jeeves to Put Customers First
'Ask Chrysler' to Provide Enhanced Customer Experience Using Ask Jeeves Corporate Service
EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2000--Ask Jeeves©, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASKJ - news), a leading provider of real-time personal services for consumers and companies on the Web, today announced that DaimlerChrysler Corporation (NYSE:DCX - news) has deployed the Ask Jeeves' Corporate Service to build online customer loyalty.
The Ask Jeeves-DaimlerChrysler agreement brings the world's second largest conglomerate to Ask Jeeves client roster, enhancing its reputation as an innovator in customer service. Ask Jeeves' natural language Question Answering Service appears as ``Ask Chrysler' on the Chrysler.com Web site, providing customers with a wide range of information about Chrysler's products, services and history.
DaimlerChrysler plans to expand the Ask Jeeves service to include Plymouth, Jeep and Dodge Web sites.
``We believe the Ask Jeeves Corporate Service will humanize the online shopping and buying experience for our customers, providing them with friendly and helpful assistance,' said Gary Dilts, vice president of retail strategies for the Chrysler group. ``'Ask Chrylser' will provide our customers with easy access to the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions and help them find local dealers who can address their unique needs.'
The deal was facilitated by Organic, the Internet services professional firm that is partnering with Daimler Chrysler to develop their Internet presence. ``We're helping DaimlerChrysler develop an environment that humanizes the Web by providing an intuitive customer experience,' said Sara Gozmanian, client partner on the DaimlerChrysler business at of Organic.
Featured on the Chrysler.com Web site to manage customer care, ``Ask Chrysler' will answer questions about all Chrysler models such as ``Where can I find a local dealer with a 300M?' and ``What colors are available for a Sebring Convertible?' as well as questions dealing with other aspects of Chrysler's business including ``Chrysler Financial,' ``Mopar Parts,' ``Five Star,' and ``Service Contracts and Incentives.'
``There are a lot of questions people need answers to when they are buying a car. We look forward to helping DaimlerChrysler deliver those answers quickly and easily,' said Rob Wrubel, president and CEO of Ask Jeeves. ``Our partnership with DaimlerChrysler marks a significant step for blue chip companies as they steer a new course for online customer interaction. Choosing Ask Jeeves' humanizing approach to online customer interaction illustrates DaimlerChrysler's vision and its commitment to superior customer service.'
As part of its services for DaimlerChrysler, Ask Jeeves will gather valuable customer information by analyzing frequently asked questions and providing detailed reports. DaimlerChrysler will be able to use that information to improve customer service, enhance Web content and to direct product development, distribution and marketing efforts.
Ask Jeeves Corporate Service
Companies use Ask Jeeves' Corporate Question Answering Service, Shopping Advisor, live help services and reporting analytics to increase sales, reduce offline support costs and improve customer loyalty by providing superior customer service online. The Ask Jeeves Corporate Service provides customers with real-time personal services ranging from self-service to live help.
Subscribers to the Corporate Service include Airtouch Cellular, Alta Vista, Compaq Computer Corporation, Datek Online, Dell Computer Corporation, E*TRADE, Fidelity Investments, IDG Books Worldwide, Iomega Corporation, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Micron Electronics, Microsoft Corporation, MyPoints.com, Nike, Inc., Office Depot, Inc., Oxygen Media, Southwestern Bell Internet Services, Toshiba Corporation, U S WEST Dex, WebTV Networks, Inc. and Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
About Organic
Organic Inc., a leading international Internet services firm, designed and implemented the new DaimlerChrysler e-commerce initiatives. Organic opened a 100-person office in Detroit last year to facilitate the long-term working arrangement with DaimlerChrysler. The company's services include e-commerce site development, strategic marketing and technology consulting, online advertising and interactive design and production.
About Ask Jeeves, Inc.
Ask Jeeves provides natural-language question answering services for consumers and companies on the Web by allowing users to ask questions in plain English and be directed to Web sites containing the answer. The Consumer Question Answering Service at Ask.com makes it easier for people to quickly find relevant information, products and services online.
The Corporate Question Answering Service, which provides question answering services for company Web sites, helps companies manage customer interactions for electronic commerce and support. Both services leverage Ask Jeeves' proprietary technology, using knowledge bases containing questions and answers to connect consumers to answers. For more information visit ask.com or call 510/985-7400.
Note to Editors: Ask Jeeves is a registered trademark of Ask Jeeves, Inc. Ask Jeeves for Kids and Ask.com are trademarks and service marks of Ask Jeeves, Inc. Other trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Ask Jeeves, Inc.
Jessica Hoffman, 510/985-8181
jessica@askjeeves.com
or
InterActive Public Relations
Michele Mehl, 901/737-7788
michele_mehl@ipri.com |
