BarkBox CEO apologizes after leaked memo exposes plan to axe ‘politically charged' Pride marketing

Company Overview - BarkBox is a subscription service that delivers dog toys and treats to customers monthly, generating approximately $236 million in revenue since its founding in 2011 [4][7]. Incident Summary - A leaked message from a BarkBox employee on Reddit revealed the company's plans to reduce marketing for its Pride campaign, citing concerns that it may be perceived as a political statement rather than a celebration [1][2]. - CEO Matt Meeker confirmed the authenticity of the leaked message and issued an apology, stating that the message was disrespectful to the LGBTQIA+ community and did not reflect the company's values [5][8]. Marketing and Community Engagement - Despite the controversy, BarkBox continues to sell Pride-themed products and has committed to donating 100% of the revenue from this collection to an LGBTQIA+ nonprofit this year [7]. - The company has faced backlash from customers and former employees, with some calling for subscription cancellations due to the perceived comparison of LGBTQ+ support to politically charged symbols [7][10]. Industry Context - BarkBox is not alone in facing challenges related to marketing Pride products, as other companies like Target and Bud Light have also experienced backlash that affected their bottom lines [11]. - Major sponsors of Pride events, such as Mastercard and PepsiCo, have opted not to renew funding this year, reflecting a broader trend of companies reassessing their marketing strategies in light of current political climates [13].