Hustler Words – AI startup Friend has splashed out over $1 million on an aggressive advertising campaign blanketing the New York City subway system with promotions for its controversial wearable AI device. CEO Avi Schiffman revealed to Adweek that the campaign encompasses more than 11,000 ad cards within subway cars, a thousand platform posters, and 130 strategically placed urban panels. Certain stations, such as West 4th Street, are now visually dominated by Friend’s stark white advertisements.
Schiffman boldly declared this to be "the world’s first major AI campaign," acknowledging that while other AI-related ads have surfaced, none have matched this scale in terms of print media. He characterized the investment as "a huge gamble," candidly admitting that the company’s financial reserves are dwindling.
Friend’s $129 device has faced considerable scrutiny, with Wired writers expressing concerns over its constant surveillance capabilities, culminating in a scathing review titled "I Hate My Friend." The ads themselves have become targets for vandalism, with messages decrying "surveillance capitalism" and urging viewers to "get real friends."
Related Post
Schiffman seems unfazed by the negative attention, stating he is acutely aware that "people in New York hate AI… probably more than anywhere else in the country." He intentionally opted for ads with ample white space, anticipating that they would become a canvas for social commentary and spark dialogue around the product. The campaign’s success, or failure, remains to be seen, but Friend’s bold move has certainly captured the attention of New Yorkers and the wider tech world.
Leave a Comment