Series, the viral college networking startup, has appointed a humanoid robot as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) — and launched the announcement with a campus-wide takeover at Harvard.
The robot, named Uri, is a Unitree G1 humanoid powered by advanced AI and lifelike movement. Last week it paraded through Harvard Square and into the stadium stands during the Harvard vs Brown football game, drawing cheers from students and crowds of curious spectators. The campaign generated 1 million social media views within 24 hours, making it one of the most talked-about campus activations of the season.
Series, which positions itself as the next-generation social networking platform for students, says appointing Uri reflects its disruptive ethos.
“Most CMOs cost $100,000–$300,000 a year. Ours is a fraction of that, and it gains more attention than most celebrities do in any given room,” said Nathaneo Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Series. “That’s marketing.”
Uri’s first campaign included unveiling a giant 12ft x 8ft Series composite banner of Harvard students, handing out matcha drinks to fuel conversations, and becoming a photo magnet in Harvard Square.
While the appointment has a viral edge, the startup insists this is about more than novelty. Uri is designed to interact directly with students and Series users, engaging audiences through natural speech, real-time movement and adaptive learning.
The Unitree G1 boasts 43 degrees of freedom, 3D LiDAR environmental sensing, depth cameras and reinforcement learning capabilities, allowing it to operate seamlessly in dynamic social settings.
By combining robotics with social networking, Series is testing how AI can participate in strategic and creative leadership, not just automate routine tasks.
Since launch, Series has facilitated 700,000+ messages between students, with a 95% acceptance rate on match suggestions. Its vision is to make AI and robotics a core part of student networking, blending technology with the deeply human need for connection.
“This move reflects our belief that robotics and AI will co-create the future of connection,” Johnson added. “Uri’s capabilities are far beyond novelty — it’s about setting a culture of constant innovation.”
The Harvard campaign is just the beginning. Uri will lead a Series College Tour, appearing at universities across the US as the company continues to challenge how young people connect, network and build opportunities in an increasingly tech-driven world.
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Harvard campus takeover: Viral startup Series appoints humanoid robot as CMO