Bird Launches AI-First CRM for Marketing, Sales, Service, and Payments: A Complete Re-Architecture of Core Platform

Bird, formerly known as MessageBird, has made a significant announcement that is sure to shake up the CRM market. The company has unveiled an “AI-first” CRM that promises to revolutionize marketing, sales, service, and payments. This move comes after Bird dropped off the latest Gartner Magic Quadrant for CPaaS, signaling a strategic shift in its core platform.

CEO Robert Vis shared that this launch is the result of 3.5 years of strategic planning and is more than just a redesign—it’s a complete re-architecture. The CRM is built from the ground up with separate components to ensure seamless compatibility with third-party applications. Whether used as a standalone CRM or integrated with existing software, Bird’s CRM aims to supercharge capabilities.

At the heart of this standalone platform is a customer data platform (CDP), acting as the spider’s head, with voice and various digital communication APIs serving as the legs. These APIs, combined with AI, enable businesses to design new customer contact strategies for more efficient communication.

Tim Kroggel, VP of Sales at Bird, emphasized the limitless possibilities that customers gain from partnering with a vertically and horizontally integrated communication stack. Brands can seamlessly integrate via an API to enhance their existing stack or opt to replace their Martech, Sales, or Customer Service stack with Bird’s solution.

While Bird aims to differentiate its platform and move away from the crowded CPaaS market, questions have been raised about the uniqueness of its strategy. Rob Kurver, Founding Partner of the CPaaS Acceleration Alliance, noted similarities between Bird’s approach and that of CM.com, questioning whether Bird’s solution truly stands out.

Vis also made a bold claim of offering up to a 90 percent discount compared to competitors like Twilio, Klaviyo, Zendesk, and Sinch. This statement has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether Bird is focusing on adding value or simply being cost-effective.

Bird’s reputation for making headline-grabbing statements, such as rumors of a potential bid for Twilio, adds to the intrigue surrounding the company’s latest announcement. As the industry waits to see if Vis will deliver on his promise of a 90 percent discount, the competition and customers alike are eager to see how Bird’s CRM stacks up against rival offerings.

Overall, Bird’s AI-first CRM launch has generated significant buzz in the industry, and only time will tell if it lives up to the hype and delivers on its promises.