The Post has built a chatbot that automatically sends users the top headlines from five different news sections--Politics, National, World, Opinions, and Entertainment—directly within the app. Users can opt to receive news updates either daily or weekly. They can also receive additional updates from their sections of interest by simply tapping on that section’s icon. The feature includes a dashboard with options for users to subscribe to The Post, watch original video content, and invite friends to sign up for the chatbot. The chatbot can be accessed on Viber by clicking here
The new sticker pack includes colorful text of journalism catchphrases like “off the record,” and Washington Post-inspired graphics such as the Pinocchio illustrations from the popular Fact Checker blog. Users can download the pack for free on Viber’s sticker market, and will automatically begin receiving news updates from the bot. By clicking on the stickers, users will be directed to page on which they can subscribe to The Washington Post.
The Post debuted the first catalog of stickers on the platform in 2016 to help users visually enhance their messages on the app with news-related images. Since then, the pack has been downloaded more than two million times. Stickers are one of the most popular features on the app. According to Viber, over 300,000 stickers are shared on the app each minute.
“Giving our global audience access to quality, independent journalism is of huge importance to us,” said Sally Burtt-Jones, Business Development Director for Viber. “We’re proud to work with The Washington Post to create a bot that allows users to easily find, discover and personalise their news experience and receive the top daily or weekly news stories within their favourite app.”
The introduction of these features builds upon The Post’s innovation on other messaging apps. In 2017, The Post invited people to interact with Berlin-based reporter Rick Noack via Whatsapp as he covered the German elections and later, the future of the European Union.
About Rakuten Viber:
At Rakuten Viber, we connect people. No matter who they are, or where they are from. Our global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. We ensure our users have a secure and free environment to share their emotions.
Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten, Inc., a world leader in e-commerce and financial services. It is the official communication channel of FC Barcelona, and the official instant messaging and calling app partner of the Golden State Warriors.
Join Viber today and enjoy the world’s best communication experience.
For more information please visit https://www.viber.com or @Viber