GEICO Gecko shares personal details on fame and faves in real-time, reportedly unscripted AI podcast interview
GEICO is testing a new form of consumer engagement using artificial intelligence in concert with the Gecko mascot as a real-time, conversational AI participant on a podcast tied to women’s basketball and digital media audiences.
The insurance company announced Thursday that the character appears as an AI-powered participant on the iHeartMedia podcast “Fudd Around and Find Out,” hosted by Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft and a guard for the Dallas Wings, and Ashanti Plummer, a former Division I and professional basketball player. Plummer is currently a host, content creator, and sales manager.
The podcast focuses on Fudd’s experience as a college senior and ball star in the spotlight, juggling schoolwork, friendships, and family time.
The AI technology is developed and distributed in partnership with Framestore, The Martin Agency, and Omnicom Media.
“The appearance marks a broader shift in how GEICO is evolving its marketing and showing up in more modern, relevant environments — transforming one-way advertising into experiences audiences can engage with directly,” a GEICO press release states.
Arianna Orpello, GEICO’s chief marketing officer, said in the release that GEICO “does its best work when we don’t follow the category — we rewrite it.”
“This technology lets us meet people in the environments where they’re most engaged and spending the most time, bringing audiences closer to the things they love about GEICO,” she said. “Technology is opening up new possibilities for how brands show up and connect with audiences, and human creativity and oversight remain at the center of everything we do. For us, the opportunity is about using innovation to create richer experiences, bring the brand to life in new ways, and build deeper connections with highly engaged audiences.”
GEICO says the AI enables a real-time, responsive experience for viewers and was deliberately developed with human oversight.
“The Gecko’s character, voice, and creative direction remain guided by the teams behind the brand,” the release states. “Technology enables the conversation, but GEICO reviews the character’s real-time output and follows SAG-AFTRA guidelines and its established standards for how the character is portrayed.”
According to the release, the integration builds on GEICO’s multiyear partnership with Fudd, the company’s first major long-term athlete partnership and a cornerstone of its growing investment in women’s sports, providing new opportunities for GEICO to participate in the broader fan experience.
“This is the first podcast I’ve ever been on, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it,” the Gecko said during the episode.
The episode is about six-and-a-half minutes long and structured as a talk-show-style interview to get to know Gecko more personally, including a likely common question: what’s your actual name? Fudd and Plummer had been addressing him as Mr. Gecko.
The lizard responded that they could call him “The Gecko” or “Gecko.”
The first question Plummer asks is how the podcast collab got started.
“I’m a massive fan of basketball; always have been,” the Gecko replied. “I’ve been following Azzi for quite a while, and then GEICO announced a second partnership with you, which I was like really super excited about. We got to hang out on the set. Then we had the GEICO commercial team behind you, which was great fun. And then we got into the tournament… I’ve watched every game, and here we are on the podcast. I’m super happy to be here.”
Gecko was also asked if people recognize him when he’s out and about, an obvious nod to GEICO’s commercials featuring him.
“It took me a little bit of time to get used to,” Gecko said of people recognizing him. “So many people come up to me with their phones out, and they’re asking me, ‘Yeah, how much can I save? Can I use the phone to get a quote?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, it’s easy peasy.’ I love helping people. The tip is always make them take the selfie. In fact, I have to, cause I’ve got really short arms.”
In case you’re wondering, Fudd and Plummer found out Gecko doesn’t really have hobbies because of a lack of time from spending most of his it saving customers money and providing great service.
“There’s not a lot of extra time for tinkling the ivories or pickleball or whatever,” Gecko said.
However, when asked what kind of music he likes, he said he always wanted to play jazz saxophone, but his arms wouldn’t reach, so he stuck with deejaying.
“I like all music, but I would love to hear you deejay one day,” he said. “Maybe next time.”
The interview was even complete with the AI Gecko clearing his throat while speaking, then saying “excuse me,” and casual, conversational laughter.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Gecko’s sign is Virgo and his favorite food is shrimp with creamy pesto sauce over angel hair pasta.
“I’ve never had lasagna. I’ve never said that in public before,” Gecko said, implying that was an especially personal detail about himself to share.
The weekly podcast also features “What the Fudd?” where the podcasters discuss something that happened in the last week that made them say, “What the Fudd?”
Gecko’s “What the Fudd?” moment was seeing a UFO. And his own podcast would be called “At Your Service” or “Claims to Fame.”
The AI interview begs the question: Does AI offer small businesses opportunities to engage their customers in unique ways? Could you hold real-time conversations with your customers to build a more personalized experience via AI? Could your shop or association have an AI-powered mascot to help educate and train the industry?
Images
Featured image: Gecko speaking during the “Fudd Around and Find Out” podcast. (Provided by GEICO)