The iconic GEICO Gecko appeared live and unscripted on his first podcast last week.

On June 11, the character appeared as a real-time, 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.

The appearance, which GEICO said represents a shift toward “transforming one-way advertising into experiences audiences can engage with directly,” was powered by AI technology developed and distributed in partnership with Framestore, The Martin Agency and Omnicom Media.

“GEICO does its best work when we don’t follow the category — we rewrite it,” said Arianna Orpello, GEICO’s chief marketing officer, in a statement. “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.”

GEICO said the Gecko’s character, voice and creative direction remain guided by the teams behind the brand. 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.

“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,” added Orpello. “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.”

The integration builds on GEICO’s multiyear partnership with Fudd, the company’s first major long-term athlete partnership. The collaboration provides new opportunities for GEICO to participate in the broader fan experience as audiences increasingly engage with athletes beyond game day through creator-led content, podcasts and social platforms.

“This is the first podcast I’ve ever been on, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it,” the Gecko said during the episode.

Click here to watch the full podcast episode.

Top photo provided by GEICO