In the current world of extensive exposure, there is no such thing as bad publicity, and the business culture seems to have caught on to this quality well enough. This resounds especially true for the Airbnb CEO, Brian Chesky, who recently threw light upon the infamous skit by Sydney Sweeney aimed at the brand during her appearance on Saturday Night Live, earlier in March. Although the delayed response suggested some fiery retort from the founder, his response instead took many aback.

As promotional tactics are well-bred in the genes of entrepreneurs, Chesky found the silver lining of the gloomy sequence by leveraging bad press with quantified attention.

Sydney Sweeney and comedian Chloe Troast appeared in a Saturday Night Live segment in March that mocked Airbnb setups as "bland, generic, and downright uninviting." They also poked fun at its pricing and criticized its ban on indoor cameras, lack of privacy, and more. However, these sharp comic jabs did not bother Brian Chesky. In a recent interview with NBC News Nightly, he revealed that the skit did not "sting."

Chesky, who views the critique as an awakening for the multi-billion dollar brand empire he oversees, added that it is a sign of Airbnb's status as a household name that can resonate with everyone. Reflecting on the criticism regarding Airbnb's higher prices compared to hotels, Chesky acknowledged that a study by Which? last year found that short-term rentals in 50 global locations were on average about $152 per night, higher than hotels' $128.

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Chesky admitted that the SNL skit was a reality check that made them more aware of their customer's needs and where they have fallen short.

During the conversation, Brian Chesky acknowledged the increase in prices. Part of the total charged by Airbnb included cleaning fees that hosts charge to prepare the property between guests, a cost that was previously not transparently displayed on the site. However, Chesky confirmed that following an update in September, more than 260,000 properties have reduced or eliminated these fees.

Chesky explained that, as a brand deeply integrated into the community, public decision is crucial. Therefore, if Sydney Sweeney's SNL skit criticizes Airbnb's affordability, it is their responsibility to address this and not hold any grudges. Treating customers as honored guests is a fundamental principle for any business to thrive. Thus, it is safe to say that the polyglot actress' skit has prompted Airbnb to reevaluate so that it can return to its roots to provide more affordable and superior accommodations.

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What do you think of Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's response to Sydney Sweeney's Saturday Night Live skit? Let us know in the comments below!