In my three years covering tech for SBJ, I’ve been pitched on many AI agents. And in that time, I’ve never seen one used as a tribute to honor someone.
So the announcement of AI agent Gibson, from e-commerce platform FEVO, which rolls out officially in August, simultaneously perked my ears and plucked my heartstrings. Gibson’s goal is to streamline offer creation, according to FEVO President Betty Tran-Rennon, through a natural-language interface in which Gibson turns conversations into action.
While the build was quick — Tran-Rennon said it took roughly three months — the real struggle was the name. “FEVO Agent” was too plain, and other options considered sounded like superhero names, she said. So Tran-Rennon opened the naming exercise to the whole company. Two FEVO employees separately reached out to her and asked about Gibson.
The suggestion was perfect, Tran-Rennon believed, and made her teary-eyed. Gibson Harnett worked in business development at FEVO, joining the company in 2022. He was the youngest employee at the company, and in a remote workforce spanning the country, he became an energetic bright spot for the New York City contingent. Harnett was diagnosed in May 2023 with Stage 4 clear cell sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects young adults. He worked for the company until returning home and passing on Jan. 4, 2024.
One of Tran-Rennon’s favorite memories with Harnett was on a staff outing to a Bulls game, where Harnett’s excitement to be there would have resonated with even the most jaded sports operator. Tran-Rennon said FEVO got the blessing of Harnett’s parents ahead of the agent’s launch. And now Harnett still gets to be part of FEVO’s future.
“He made such an impact on FEVO with legacy campaigns and just his spirit,” Tran-Rennon said. “He reminded me of why we do what we do.”
