Every great technology needs someone who can explain it without making your head hurt. That’s Sally Sallyson’s specialty. As Head of Social Media and Advertising, Sally believes technology should feel welcoming, approachable, and just a little bit fun. In this conversation, she shares how the Interactive Literary Business Card transforms traditional networking into an engaging experience and why she thinks technology should always have good manners.
Reporter: Sally, thanks for chatting! Can you tell us what this Interactive Literary Business Card really is and why Ashby Navis & Tennyson launched it?
Sally: Okay, so like, picture walking into the world’s smartest visitor center, there’s someone greeting you right at the door, another person who knows where every little thing is, and a super speedy team member who answers all the common questions in a snap. But if you ask something really out of the ordinary? Boom, they call in the expert who knows exactly what to say. That’s basically what our Interactive Literary Business Card does. It’s not just a card; it’s a whole experience that tells your brand’s story, makes connections easy, and keeps things fresh and fun. We launched it on July 1st because, honestly, traditional business cards are cute but sooo last century. We wanted to make networking smarter and way more interactive, and this is giving total glow-up vibes.
Reporter: That’s such a fun way to put it! Now, you mentioned a mini data center behind the scenes — can you explain that without getting too techy?
Sally: For sure! So, around here we jokingly call this brainiac “Mini-Colossus” — it’s like the traffic cop that keeps everybody from talking over one another. It decides who’s best to answer your question the fastest and most accurately. Imagine your card having its own personality and team, some folks handle quick chit-chat, others know all the company info, and the AI swoops in only when things get really interesting. Plus, we’ve got layers that know the weather and the climate, so your card feels totally in tune with the local scene. Every card has its own personality, we like to think technology should have good manners, you know? It’s all about making your brand sound warm, professional, and approachable.
Reporter: That’s so much clearer! How does this tech magic actually make the user’s experience better?
Sally: Girl, it’s like night and day from old-school cards. With our system, simple questions get lightning-fast answers — no waiting, no fuss. But when someone wants the full story or something unique, our AI steps in with style, personality, and all the right details. It’s like having a super charming, knowledgeable assistant who always knows what to say. Plus, the card even knows about the local weather and climate, how cute is that? It’s not just info; it’s a whole vibe that keeps users engaged and coming back. And since each card’s personality shines through, it builds trust and connection effortlessly. Honestly, it’s the future of networking, served with a side of sparkle.
Reporter: As the social media and advertising lead, how did you hype this launch while keeping it easy to understand?
Sally: Oh my gosh, that was my fave part! I made sure the tech story was told like a fun, relatable narrative. We created colorful dashboards to track everything, from buzz on TikTok to Instagram stories, and crafted content that felt like chatting with a savvy friend, not a robot. I worked closely with the devs to translate all the geek talk into marketing gold. We teased the launch with snackable tidbits, showing how this card isn’t just smart, it’s cute and strategic. The response has been totally fab, people love how approachable and innovative it feels. And we kept our San Antonio factory buzzing with good vibes all through it.
Reporter: Sounds like a big team effort! What were some challenges you faced, and how did you keep things on track?
Sally: Okay, so juggling all the layers without slowing things down was a major puzzle. We had to make sure greetings and common questions got answered instantly so the AI didn’t get overwhelmed. The Mini-Colossus traffic cop had to be super smart about who answers what, and the weather and climate parts were new, so lots of testing and tweaking happened. From my side, I kept communication clear and fun — colorful charts, daily huddles, and lots of pep talks. The Mini Mustard Clinic monitoring system was a lifesaver, letting us catch little hiccups before they became big problems. It was about mixing tech smarts with team sparkle, and wow, did we pull it off!
Reporter: You mentioned the Mini Mustard Clinic — what exactly is that?
Sally: Oh, the Mini Mustard Clinic? That’s like our wellness spa for the whole tech ecosystem! It’s a sleek dashboard that keeps tabs on every service, like our chat system, AI engine, and Mini-Colossus, making sure they’re all up and running smoothly. It even streams live logs and trace IDs so we can spot issues before anyone else does. Think of it as the backstage crew that keeps the show flawless 24/7. It means the Interactive Literary Business Card stays ready to wow, all the time.
Reporter: How did your marketing expertise shape how the mini data center was built?
Sally: My job is to translate tech into people language, right? So I made sure the system was designed to deliver fast, friendly answers that feel personal. I pushed for the quick greeting layer to catch chit-chat fast and for the whole system to have built-in personality, because technology should always have good manners. I also advocated for having deterministic answers for FAQs to keep things snappy. From an advertising POV, I made sure the data center could support dynamic greetings and quotes, basically, to keep the card feeling fresh and engaging every time someone chats with it. The tech and marketing had to dance together perfectly, and babe, they totally do.
Reporter: What’s next for Ashby Navis & Tennyson after this launch? Any sneak peeks for us?
Sally: Okay, I’m spilling a little tea, we’re gonna roll out more personas so every card can have its own unique voice and style. We’re adding real-time data layers and making the AI even smarter and more context-aware, so the card feels like your best brand BFF. Plus? Interactive storytelling and maybe some fun games to keep engagement sky-high. And of course, my social media team will keep crafting cute, strategic campaigns to keep the buzz alive “Technology is amazing…but people are why we build it.”
Reporter: Last question, Sally! Any final thoughts for our readers?
Sally: Just that Ashby Navis & Tennyson is all about blending heart and smarts to create products that totally slay. Our Interactive Literary Business Card is the perfect example — it’s smart, sassy, and super strategic. So if you wanna make your brand sparkle and build real connections, you gotta check it out. And follow us on social for all the latest and greatest because, honestly, you don’t wanna miss what’s next. Thanks for hanging with me catch you later!
Next Up – Chief Digital Officer Hank Wilson reflects on how a simple business card became something much larger.