An executive shake-up at Airbnb today is underscoring the company’s priority on a longterm strategy. On Thursday, Airbnb’s chief counsel, Belinda Johnson, was promoted to the title of COO, more formally becoming the company’s “Sheryl Sandberg,” as she’s sometimes known. Johnson has long been considered Airbnb’s No. 2 executive.
Airbnb is losing its CFO as rumors swirl that the company will go public this year. While Airbnb is still planning a public offering, it may not be as immediate as some have hoped.
Chesky has big ambitions to create new travel channels within Airbnb. He has said he wants to build a platform that doesn’t lean solely on its Homes offering for revenue, but instead benefits from other travel products, as well. In the last year, the company has launched a foray into travel activities with Experiences. It also launched in-app restaurant reservations, piloted new hotel-like apartment-sharing complexes like Niido, and ventured into premium homes with its acquisition of Luxury Retreats and the development of a related product called Airbnb Select. In addition to its formal announcements, Chesky has casually mentioned interest in air travel and now seems to be mulling over a loyalty plan for members.
If Airbnb had a guest membership program, what benefits would you want?
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) January 14, 2018
Johnson has been with the company since 2011, heading up global policy for the company as it was still a fledgling startup. Not only has she grown teams, she’s credited with Airbnb’s friendly approach to dealing with municipalities–something that contrasts it with more regulation-averse gig-economy companies like Uber. No doubt, she will play an important role as the company grows beyond its base home-sharing product and into other ventures.
“We are a company with an infinite time horizon, and I will work to ensure everything we do takes the long view,” Johnson said.
The stir-up inside Airbnb shows the company is doubling down on innovation rather than focusing on short-term financial goals.
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