New Airbnb Commercial

[Laura2592]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swC5HX1HmLw

Okay, where to begin?

Yes its cute. The creatures are cute. But....

1) did the ad agency research the antipathy that many hosts have to pets lol? Come on! That's a lot of hair to clean!

2) does anyone feel a little irritated that they may be compared to Bigfoot (or Cousin Itt) if they stay as a guest?

3) would this make you host? It wouldn't make me want to.

4) is the message "hosts view people as monsters?" Seems so. 

Let's focus group this-- I don't know if it has been. What are your impressions?

[Mark116]

@Huma0  A small gift goes a long way.  I was sure we were going to get a 4 from a recent guests because she said one of her group found the mattress too hard and bought an air mattress.  We left them a small chocolate cake on their last night, and she gave 5 stars. That was $6 well spent.

[Huma0]

@Mark116 

Yes, it usually does. I always leave cards/gifts if I know someone is celebrating a birthday or anniversary. They seem to really appreciate it. I can imagine a birthday can be a bit of a non-event if you are travelling alone so it's nice to get something. 

I did have one guest though who never thanked me for the birthday card and gift and left both behind. She had opened both though (so the gift had to go in the bin). I guess she didn't like them! She did leave me 5 stars though.

[Mark116]

@Huma0  That's weird. 

We leave a gift for almost all guests who stay more than 3 nights along with a thank you card, or at this time, a holiday card. We also usually do fresh flowers for guests staying 5+ days if the schedule works to get them in time.  If guests tell us they're celebrating a birthday or anniversary we tailor the gift to the event.  Sometimes we leave a welcome gift for people who will  have been traveling many hours and are arriving late at night..some kind of fruit or bread/pastry.  

Our thinking is that they may forget about the welcome gift over a few days, but getting a gift on their last night we hope will stay with them during the review.

[Huma0]

@Mark116 

Okay, you do a lot more than me then! All my guests stay for weeks or even months, so I will take that on board. A thank you card and gift would be easy to do. The welcome gift may well be forgotten that far down the line, or maybe not...

I kind of gave up with the Christmas cards and gifts and treats though as very few guests seemed to appreciate them in the past. Most never mentioned it, let alone thanked me, and some didn't even bother to open them or chucked them in the bin. I think if Christmas just isn't part of your culture, it's pretty meaningless. The few guests who did appreciate were ones from countries where Christmas is celebrated.

I did have one girl though who was an influencer. She took photos and videos of it all and then chucked it in the bin!

[Miriam619]

I can handle head hair.  It’s pubic hairs that are everywhere and multiple while cleaning that disgust me ….

[Laura2592]

@Sandra126 I spit out my drink reading your post....

Airbnb ad execs would do well to consult hosts prior to launching expensive campaigns. Perhaps we could educate them on the various diverse groups who may respond to their call for hosts. I'm sure that with a few of my former guests, this ad touting furry inclusion would definitely make them feel heard. And perhaps give them the bravery to launch a furry themed listing of their own. But you would definitely want to understand what that was all about before booking. 

[Sandra126]

It would be nice to be consulted but unlikely, @Laura2592 . Let's hope the world at large are less knowledgeable than us unfortunates.

[Sarah977]

Guest booked for one, and brought 2 undisclosed pets, because Airbnb booking form tells them they only have to let the host know if they're bringing more than 2. 🙂

[Laura2592]

@Sarah977 I'm waiting for the commercial aimed at hosting pets where the guests bring a dog sled.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

so guests arrive to the dark cabin in the woods, in the middle of the night... no lights anywhere, there is no host on the sight... it starts like a scary, horror movie 😄

I am sure the review would be: Hard to find, no exact address, dangerous location, dark entrance etc...  😄

[Fred13]

I found the ad a bit too 'cute'.

I would love to see Airbnb do an ad campaign like Seimens did some years ago - fast moving vignettes of the variety of products they made at the time. In Airbnb's case, show in the first run from the smallest to the largest or the simplest to the most unusual or from the cheapest to the most expensive. An informative approach vs. one trying to evoke some kind of a warm & fuzzy emotion which is tricky to do.

Actually we were recently asked to send High-Resolution pictures of our place with them since we are going to be included in some new ad campaign, no idea what it will be. 

[John5097]

The shorter version was on TV. Not as long dark creepy into, but the entire thing is creepy with theses creatures, at one point running around with sheer over its head. It will turn off potential host as they don’t want strange creatures in their house or party animals. Guest will also see this as do whatever you want at an Airbnb, party animal, and when you leave you are normal again. No locks on the door would also be alarming like these creatures broke in at night. The only part I didn’t like was the running around with sheets over their head, as host have to pay full cost of replacements and I’m sure everything about this commercial would make prospective host say nope to the nana! First time guest are already very apprehensive and showing creatures entering unlocked house at night is just weird. 

[Miriam619]

Oh please.  I love this commercial with the song.  It’s a simple message.  The couple with the little girl leaving clarifies their message.  People aren’t so strange after all.  

I don’t understand all the negative comments…. I’ve hosted for about 4 years with 1 rental allowing pets and now we have 4 total.   I see the message they are trying to get across.  It’s not about furries, hairy people or creepy setting…

I am so surprised by all the negativity with you host.   Shaking my head.   

[John5097]

@Miriam619 

"I am so surprised by all the negativity with you host.   Shaking my head."

I did happen to see this commercial again during the NFL playoffs. It has been cut back and no longer has them checking in at dark. They completely got rid of that. Why? Because guest don't want to arrive at a dark place with no lights. 

ABB obviously edited the original version based on some of the feedback. 

You will need to do more than troll other super host to maintain your listings. 

[John5097]

BTW.. I've sense gone up in my nightly rates to help cover the additional damage to sheets and towels. I guess its too much to ask for the ads not to show guest abusing sheets? I'd say more but some people, especially trolls, need to learn some things the hard way.