Skift Take
Airbnb's new celebrity-driven Icons category of experiences will trigger housefuls of free publicity.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has frequently mentioned the creative ways the brand has tried to stay top of mind beyond traditional advertising. This included its Barbie House, which attracted the 250 million social media impressions last year.
On Wednesday, Airbnb went further with the launch of an attention-grabbing category of experiences and stays called Icons. Through the Airbnb app, consumers will be able to vie to hang out with Kevin Hart and his entourage in his "secret speakeasy," or spend a night in Prince's Purple Rain House in Minneapolis.
There are 11 Icons at launch. Two of them are stays inside Disney and Pixar's Up house and the "Headquarters" of their flick Inside Out 2.
There are overnights at the Ferrari Museum; Musée d’Orsay to get a view of the 2024 Paris Olympics' opening ceremonies from the terrace; Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor's digs where she'll share her favorite southern