The popular lodging website Airbnb has issued an apology for a controversial ad campaign that rubbed many San Francisco residents the wrong way.
The snarky ads began appearing last week, just ahead of an important vote on Measure F. If approved by voters on Nov. 3 short-term rentals like those offered by Airbnb would be limited to just 75 days a year and the company could more easily be penalized by the city or subjected to private lawsuits.
“Dear Public Library System, we hope you use some of the $12 million in hotel taxes to keep the library open later,” one bus stop poster read, referring to the hotel tax revenue the city has collected from the company in the past year.
Another was addressed to the Board of Education, asking it to “please use some of the $12 million in hotel taxes to keep art in schools."
Some found the ads to be a witty commentary highlighting waste of taxpayer money, but many others were deeply offended by what they perceived to be a passive-aggressive attack on their city. One resident’s response on social media questioning the $8 million the company has spent fighting Proposition F has even gone viral.
Airbnb has since pulled the ads.
“The intent was to show the hotel tax contribution from our hosts and guests, which is roughly $1 million per month,” the company said in a statement. “It was the wrong tone and we apologize to anyone who was offended. These ads are being taken down immediately.”
Read more about controversial ad campaign here.
Image Credit: Flickr User 25792994@N04, https://flic.kr/p/95iJuo via (CC BY 2.0)