Jellyvision

The Jellyvision Lab, Inc., doing business as Jellyvision, is an American software company based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Harry Nathan Gottlieb in 2001, the Jellyvision Lab was established after the closure of Jellyvision Games, transitioning from video game development to business software. The company is best known for developing ALEX, a tool that helps employees pick their health insurance and other benefits. Many of Jellyvision's products are inspired by the You Don't Know Jack series of games, developed by its predecessor and now-sibling company, Jackbox Games.

The Jellyvision Lab, Inc.
Private
IndustrySoftware industry
Founded2001 (2001)
FounderHarry Nathan Gottlieb
Headquarters
Chicago
,
US
Key people
Websitejellyvision.com

History

The original Jellyvision was founded in 1989 as an educational media company, later pivoting to develop video games.[1] Founder Harry Nathan Gottlieb created the CD-ROM game You Don't Know Jack (YDKJ) in 1995, which became a massive success and established a franchise of YDKJ titles from 1995 to 1998. Facing a major shift in the computer game market, as players moved from personal computers to home consoles, Jellyvision shuttered in 2001.

Later that year, Gottlieb launched a new company called the Jellyvision Lab, with a focus on developing business software inspired by YDKJ's voice-driven interface. This proprietary "interactive conversation interface" would simulate a one-on-one chat with a real person.[2] Some of the Jellyvision Lab's earliest clients for interactive conversations came about because they were fans of the You Don't Know Jack series.[3] In 2009, Jellyvision developed the first version of ALEX, an interactive conversation that helps employees choose their benefits and provides other forms of decision support.[4] The success of ALEX spurred Jellyvision's growth, and as of 2019 is the company's primary business focus.[5]

In 2008, the original Jellyvision Games was re-launched as a subsidiary of the Jellyvision Lab.[6] It spun off into its own company in 2011, and re-branded as Jackbox Games in 2013.[7][1]

Awards

2014
  • Chicago Tribune — Top Workplaces in Chicago[8]

2015
  • Chicago Tribune — Top Workplaces in Chicago[8]
  • eHealthcare Platinum Award – Best Interactive (Alex: Making the Most of Your Plan)[9]
  • Illinois Technology Association (ITA) – Lighthouse Award[10]
  • Moxie Awards – Best Software Company, Best Company Culture, CEO of the Year (Amanda Lannert)[11][12]
  • Society of Talent Acquisition & Recruitment (STAR) Chicago – Talent Acquisition Specialist of the Year[13] (Mary Beth Wynn)

References
  1. Sarkar, Samit (June 5, 2013). "You Don't Know Jack developer Jellyvision rebrands itself as Jackbox Games". Polygon. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  2. Gottlieb, Harry (January 1, 2002). "The Interactive Conversation Interface (ICI): A Proposed Successor to GUI for an Interactive Broadband World". Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces. IUI '02. New York, NY, USA: ACM: 2. doi:10.1145/502716.502718. ISBN 1581134592.
  3. Griner|June 16, David; 2017 .st0{fill:#F7EC13}.st1{clip-path:url}.st2{clip-path:url;fill:#020100}. "Inside the Rise, Fall and Triumphant Rebirth of a Beloved Chicago Game Studio". www.adweek.com. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  4. "About Us – History of ALEX". May 30, 2017. Archived from the original on May 30, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  5. "Interactive Employee Communication Software - Jellyvision". Jellyvision.com. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  6. Alexander, Leigh. "Jellyvision Returns To Game Biz With Bilder". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  7. "Jackbox Games". Crunchbase. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  8. "Chicago Tribune Top Workplaces 2015 – The Jellyvision Lab, Inc". TopWorkplaces. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  9. "Strategic Health Care Communications – Award Winners". www.strategichealthcare.com. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  10. "ITA". www.illinoistech.org. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  11. "2015 Winners | The Moxie Awards 2015". moxieawards.builtinchicago.org. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  12. "And the 2015 Moxie Awards go to..." Built In Chicago. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  13. "Who's the Best in Chicago's Talent Acquisition? Our Mary Beth Wynn! – Jellyvision". Jellyvision. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
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