BARKBox CEO Matt Meeker issued an apology after an internal message regarding the company's Pride marketing efforts was leaked. The message, from a staffer, suggested suspending Pride marketing due to concerns it might be perceived as a 'political statement' in the current climate. This internal communication caused significant backlash online.
Meeker confirmed the authenticity of the leaked message and stated that he does not agree with its content, emphasizing that it does not reflect BARK's values. He expressed deep regret for the disrespectful and hurtful nature of the message to the LGBTQIA+ community. The company has sold Pride products as add-ons for four years.
In response to the controversy, BARK announced it is still selling Pride-themed dog products on its site. Furthermore, the company committed to donating 100% of the revenue from its Pride collection this year to an LGBTQIA+ nonprofit, an increase from a portion in previous years. This action aims to address public criticism and reaffirm the company's support for the community.
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