Airbnb Navigating the Challenge of COVID-19

Taking Care of Frontline Responders

As a trusted partner and counsel, DKC led the company’s response with robust public affairs and consumer strategies including the company’s Frontline Stays program, aimed at onboarding 100,000 listings for medical first responders in the US as part of a global effort to provide safe harbor for essential workers. The announcement once again positioned Airbnb as a community actively working for the public good and garnered more than 400 pieces of positive coverage across consumer, business and lifestyle media. The campaign rallied the US host community to list nearly double its intended goal of available listings, while housing thousands of first responders to date.

Airbnb Online Experiences are Born

Simultaneously, DKC worked hand in hand with the Airbnb team to introduce Online Experiences, the virtual migration of the company’s local-led immersions, which had been suspended in light of COVID-19, delivering levity, connection and entertainment to consumers quarantined at home, while offering Experience hosts an opportunity to earn income. DKC hosted virtual media trials ahead of the launch date, giving top tier outlets including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, AFAR, Forbes, CNN and others first-hand access to the riveting stories from hosts from around the world. The two announcements, executed in close succession, provided immediate and profound economic and emotional impact for hosts and guests. It put Airbnb, a travel company, back in the game in the midst of a travel shutdown, generating goodwill with hosts and guests while providing an uplifting outlet for consumers.

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