As it looks to attract more customers to its platform, Airbnb is putting media dollars behind its new co-host network. The feature, in which hosts have co-hosts to help manage their Airbnb, has been an experimental offering in Europe and is now rolling out in the U.S.
“The number one issue with hosting is it feels like a lot of work for people,” said Hiroki Asai, Airbnb’s global head of marketing. Co-hosts can handle listing set-ups and guest communications. “It’s almost like having someone on site at Airbnb doing all that high-touch hosting work for you,” Asai said.
A 15-second spot, created in the Claymation style that Airbnb has previously used, touts the promise of co-hosting by showing a horseback-riding collaborator. “If you’re thinking of Airbnbing your home, but you don’t want to do it alone, get yourself a partner, partner,” a voiceover says. “An Airbnb cohost will do the hosting for you.”