Latest news with #Rover
Travel Weekly
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
All paws on deck! Meet Royal Caribbean's 'chief dog officers'
Royal Caribbean International's next ship, Star of the Seas, is getting ever closer to its debut. And one of its most important crew members has sounded her first "woof." Sailor, a 3-month-old golden retriever, will be the ship's resident puppy and the cruise line's second "chief dog officer." The concept debuted with chief dog officer Rover on the Icon of the Seas, the first ship in the Icon class, as a way to bring a different element of joy and fun onboard for guests and crew members, said Kara Wallace, Royal Caribbean International's chief marketing officer. Rover has since become a cruise highlight for many young guests, and the two canines are social media celebrities, thanks in part to an Instagram page that has garnered more than 50,000 followers. Kara Wallace "We build big, iconic, bold ships with features that people can't really even dream up, but we don't let the small things go to waste," Wallace said. "There's always an opportunity to bring depth and richness to the experiences, and this is another way that we did it." Rover, and soon Sailor, don't have meet-and-greets or special schedules to interact with guests, making those interactions spontaneous and organic, Wallace said. She said the dogs are not mascots but crew members that might serve as a pet at sea for the human crew and similarly help young guests who might be missing their companions while on vacation. "That was the primary driver of it," Wallace said, "creating this home away from home." It's cruising cats and dogs Having animals on cruise ships isn't entirely novel but is certainly rare. Bug Naked, a hairless cat, could for years be found onboard Celebrity ships, Royal's sister line, thanks to Capt. Kate McCue, who brought Bug on as a companion in 2017. Like Rover, Bug became a ship celebrity and darling of the crew. Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 allows transatlantic guests to bring pets on as passengers via 24 kennels that are in high demand. But Royal's decision to bring animals onboard for guest and crew enjoyment is likely a first. It's a small offering compared to other projects Royal is investing in simultaneously, like building the tallest waterslides in North America and new private destinations across the world. But that attention to offering small details is a point of pride for Royal, Wallace said. Though Wallace said she thinks it's unlikely that guests will book cruises with Royal just because of Rover or Sailor, they are a differentiator. "I have colleagues here who have young kids, and they came back and all they could talk about was, 'We met Rover,'" she said. "It was an amazing ship that went to all these places, but it was one of the highlights of their cruise. … I think that that's a testament to the power of bringing this warm, family-oriented addition to round out that whole experience." Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley was the one to posit the idea of having a dog onboard, Wallace said. From there, the team explored the possibility with the American Humane Society, which has been its partner in the program ever since. There was plenty of planning involved, from choosing a breed to designing the dogs' accommodations and selecting a designated onboard caretaker. What started as one more way to enhance the guest and crew experience expanded into an opportunity to keep the Icon experience in guests' social media feeds every week, as they watch Sailor grow and Rover travel the world. On their Instagram page (@chiefdogofficers), you'll find a video of Sailor being lovingly cuddled and cooed at during her first visit to Royal Caribbean's corporate office as well as videos comically captioned in typical TikTok and Instagram form (in a recent post, a video of Sailor dozing off is accompanied by the text "How I sleep knowing I have a full-time job secured"). "We were just going to see what happens and see how people responded," Wallace said of the social media account. "I don't know that there was really an expectation in terms of, 'Oh, we're going to grow this to be a million followers.' That's not why we did this, but it's more kind of, 'How can we share Sailor and Rover with the world and let people see what we see?'"
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How economic health impacts the pet care market: Rover CEO
Rover CEO Aaron Easterly joins Catalysts with Madison Mills and S&P Global Ratings global chief economist Paul Gruenwald to discuss the pet care marketplace company's transition from publicly traded to going private under Blackstone (BX), the impact of inflation and tariffs, and more. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here. Pet care platform Rover expanding its international footprint, bringing the marketplace to two new countries and acquiring a European-based dog sitting and walking platform. The company planning to invest $15 million over the next five years for further expansion. Joining us now, we've got Aaron Easterly, he is Rover's CEO. Aaron, great to speak with you. I know that Blackstone had taken the company private in a $2.3 billion deal back in 2024. Walk us through how that has impacted your growth story since and how that's impacting your ability to expand in these areas internationally. Yeah, overall, it's been a net positive. Um, one of the nice things about Blackstone is they're a pretty long-term oriented investor. Um, so when that transaction closed, we took a look at a lot of investments we were excited about that may have been a little bit more difficult to execute in a public company setting, um, and decided to go ahead with them. Um, so further expansion in Europe is one example of that. And talk to me about more broadly how you think about public versus private, having experienced both. What are some of the shifts that you've noticed as you've gone private and why did that make sense for Rover? Yeah, you know, I'd say that we are always a company that's been mission first. We want to make it possible for everyone to experience the unconditional love of a pet. The logistics of pet care is one of the barriers to more people having pets. And so that's always our primary focus. There are pros and cons of being public, there are pros and cons of being private. Um, so we're always very situational around what makes sense for the next stage of the company, um, and being able to be a little bit more longer term oriented in some of our investments, um, that take a little bit of time to develop, uh, made being private a nice thing at this point in time. And I should mention that for our audience, you can look up private company data including the likes of Rover on the Yahoo Finance platform under our private markets page. But I do want to bring in Paul Gruenwald, my guest host. He has a question for you. Hey, Aaron, it's Paul. I've never asked a pet care question before, I'm an economist, so forgive this. But Maddie and I were just chatting before. You know, we're talking about an economic slowdown and we're talking about consumers having like a, you know, uh, a discretionary bucket or a necessity bucket. So, where do you think the pet care, you know, your business fits in? Is it something that people do on a kind of discretionary basis or is this becoming more of a necessity as we kind of look through the the economic cycle? Yeah. Um, if you look at pet parents, um, historically the view has been that pet parents view it as a necessity. Right. About 72% of pet parents, if you ask them, do they view themselves as a pet owner or specifically a parent, they will say parent. Um, so it's more akin to a parent-child bond than, uh, piece of property. Um, and with that, uh, the pets tend to be the last thing or spending on pets tend to be the last thing people cut in tough times. That being said, we did see not a reversal that trend, but a little bit of a moderation that trend over the past couple years. For the younger generations, um, inflation outpaced, um, their income growth. So you actually had a slight shrinking, uh, of real income for that group. And for the first time in maybe 20 years, we saw some amount of pet parents be a little bit more modest on, uh, how extravagant they were going with their pet food and treats and toys, um, and things like that. Uh, but overall, pet parents, uh, prioritize their pets in a lot of cases about themselves. Yes. Great to know. Thanks. Yeah, it is great to know and it's also interesting, Aaron, too, one thing we've been talking about is whether pet parents might also be coming pet babysitters for others amid an economic slowdown. Can you talk to me about whether or not you're seeing an increase in gig economy work on the platform amid a moment of economic uncertainty? We, uh, straddle the line between, uh, passion project and gig work. Um, so most of the people that are on Rover are doing Rover as side income. So in that sense, it is kind of like a gig. Um, but they're also doing it because they specifically love pets. Um, and so in that sense, you get people that choose to do this for reasons unrelated to their hourly earnings potential. Um, it's a a preference, um, in addition to a job. Um, we have seen an increase in the number of sitters applying to be on the platform. Um, you know, if anything, we have to moderate that a little bit to make sure that the demand ramps in pace with the supply. Uh, but we've been very happy with our supply dynamics and the amount of people that are excited to be on the Rover platform. And and talk to me, too, about a stat that you all have. You did a Rover true cost of pet Parenthood report indicating that 52% of pet owners are concerned that tariffs will increase pet costs. Just curious what that signals to you about the way that tariffs are impacting some of the consumer sentiment of people who are using your platform. Yeah, I'm in general, the inflation in the pet economy for the past several years has actually outpaced inflation in the rest of the economy, uh, particularly on the service side, particularly on the veterinary side. Um, and for several years, there's also really high on the pet food side, but that's moderated this year. Um, so pet parents are looking at these dynamics and saying, wow, there may be a 10% increase in the cost of having a cat this year, a 7% increase in the cost of owning a dog this year. You know, what are some ways that I can be a little bit more frugal while still prioritizing my pets? Um, but when you add in these other things like tariffs, um, yeah, there is definitely some concern that that's going to, uh, push them over the edge so to speak in terms of the cost that they're going to have to eat. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
4 days ago
- General
- Forbes
Scribner's Catskill Lodge Makes For A Blissful Dog Retreat
The warm and cozy library is Scribner's Catskills Lodge's popular social center. Times are good for the growing number of pet loving travelers out there who are enjoying ever greater and smoother accommodations for their furry companions. Less than three hours from NYC, and a short drive from Woodstock, Scribner's Catskill Lodge takes the pup good times next level. Scribner's has your furry pal set up from the get go with their Pupstater program of stuffed toys, snacks, a furry bed, and a branded bandanna: Green signifies that your Fido is 'ready to mingle,' red indicates that Rover prefers to 'chill on their own.' With a robust canine guest population at times, be prepared in the cozy library just off the lobby for plenty of pas de deux sniffing encounters. Behind its stylish dark-wood exterior, Scribner's Catskills Lodge makes creative use out of its bones as a motor lodge. In contrast to Scribner's modish black exterior, the library is cast in blond wood with leather and wood seating and plenty of plush spots to curl up with complimentary coffee around a central fireplace. It's packed with novels and art, history and travel books. Those not playing board games at the long wooden table might be shooting pool—humans typically, not dogs. A step down from the library, the adjoining lobby and reception with its red brick flooring was once the drive-up to the property from its days as a motor lodge. Those roots are reflected in your room's old fashioned metal key on a plastic motel-type keychain. The do not disturb sign sports the phrase Don't Poke the Bear in a nod to your natural surroundings. A member of Marriott Design Hotels, the 38-room lodge features fireplaces, dark wood floors and plenty of banquettes cum day-bed nooks. The bathroom, which does away with single use toiletries, is covered in terracotta tiles. Located up the hill, 11 yurt-like dodecahedron-shaped lodgings called The Rounds were recently added, with sunken living rooms and circular sofas, each under an oculus for sky viewing. When not used for events, the communal Apex space is open for quiet reading. You can drive up there, but your dog will enjoy the ten-minute switchback trail; just be sure to heed the bear caution signs. Uphill from the main Scribner's house, the new yurt-shaped Rounds have sunken living rooms. The alpinesque Prospect restaurant takes its name from yet another earlier property that stood here in the area's original late-19th-century resort days when railroads delivered folks and cottage communities like the nearby Twilight Park sprang up. A Prospect spring salad starter of kale, arugula, baby red oak lettuce, prosciutto, blackberry, plums, red wine pears, gorgonzola, candied pepitas and peach yuzu dressing is as hearty as that broad list of ingredients sounds. Then main selections like market fish will call you, which might be striped bass in beurre blanc, asparagus, toasted almonds, trout roe and black tobiko caviar. A short stroll from the property entrance and into the aroma-rich Scribner's Garden makes for another great dog walk through its gravel grounds. A handy field guide explains what herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers are growing in raised beds to be used in the restaurant. Scribner's Catskills Lodge rooms, like this Bungalow King, are all bright and homey. Out front, a wildflower meadow draws butterflies and birdlife. Your dog will need to stay behind, however, when you hit the pool or the barrel sauna; likewise, in winter at the property's Bluestone Patio that gets turned into a skating rink using a polymer surface. Each time you come and go through the lobby, something might grab you from the cabinet of a shop that holds books, puzzles, souvenirs and food and drink goodies. Local makers also share their creative wares at lobby popups, recently including Baby le Bébé botanical skincare products, Earth Oracle herbal tinctures based on Balkan remedies and That Dang Shop of vintage clothing and accessories. At some 2,000 feet, the Greene County property lies in the legendary haunts of Rip Van Winkle and has a direct view of Hunter Mountain ski slopes in front of it. A few minute's drive into Hunter hamlet, the Fellow Mountain Café in an old house is a popular breakfast spot run by Scribner's ownership. There's a local pub too, while a brewery lies in the opposite direction toward Tannersville. The nearby Mountain Top Arboretum is 200 acres of native plants and trees where dogs are permitted on some meadows and along some trails. The hike-able Kaaterskill Falls are a slice of Americana as depicted by Hudson River School painters such as Asher B. Durand whose work Kindred Spirits hangs in Arkansas's Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. All of which means there's not just plenty to do and see onsite with your hound, but off as well. With its Pupstater program, Scribner's Lodge is as dog friendly as it gets. Of late, Scribner's has organized Pupstater Weekends with local partners, such as the Greene County Animal Alliance, and with proceeds going to the Social Tees Animal Rescue. There are dog training and grooming sessions, as well as dog product pop ups. An agility course and a Yappy Hour are among the fun events, with a doggy selfie photo booth to remember it all. When you check out of Scribner's Catskills Lodge and make the steep, windy descent along Route 23A down to Palenville and on to the big cities beyond, your pup will enjoy that last roller coaster of a ride. And you'll likely be making plans for a return experience in another season. The Pupstater Program is $100 per dog, per stay, with a maximum of two dogs.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DNA&STONE BOASTS "LOVING PET CARE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD" IN NEW CAMPAIGN FOR ROVER
Agency creates unique jingles in the voices of pets to promote safe and reliable pet sitters SEATTLE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DNA&STONE, the full-service agency that doesn't flinch for brands who want to go there, today announced the launch of its latest creative campaign with Rover, the world's largest online marketplace for loving pet care. The campaign, titled "To My Hooman" portrays fun animated stories that come from the perspective of pets who understand that while the sitters from Rover may not be their human, they are the next best thing. Rover, who has been a long-time client of DNA&STONE, came to the agency looking for help to not only create awareness of the brand, but also build trust among pet owners looking for safe and reliable sitters. With the objective of winning the hearts of pet parents and sparking interest in Rover as a trusted solution for personalized and passionate care, DNA&STONE created a campaign that pulled at the heartstrings of these pet parents. A continuation of its original launch in 2023, the "To My Hooman" campaign showcases animated stories from the perspective of pets. Each video highlights the joy, comfort and personalized care pets receive from their sitters on Rover, exemplifying how Rover has sitters who can meet the unique needs of each and every pet (and pet parent). "As pet owners ourselves, we knew that trust would be the number one barrier to a person using Rover. Many of us would prefer for our pets to be in the loving arms of a family member or friend, but that isn't always the reality and Rover is an excellent solution," said Matt McCain, Founder, DNA&STONE. "We wanted to showcase that the pets in the care of Rover's sitters are not only cared for, they are loved. That's why we made these videos from the perspectives of the pets - to showcase how happy they can be with Rover sitters and how leaving them is just an opportunity to be loved in a different way." DNA&STONE created simple, animated videos that focus on the pets' emotions – showcasing their perspectives and imagining what each pet sees and feels in these often hard moments. The agency used pet-friendly language and a young voiceover actor to capture the innocence and emotional intelligence of pets as they tell their parents it's okay for them to leave because they love their pet sitter. "At Rover, our north star has always been honoring the irreplaceable connection between pets and their people. While we know nothing can substitute that unique bond, we aspire to always be the very best next choice—your pet's chosen companion when you can't be there," said Ashton Doyle, Senior Director, Brand, Rover. "DNA&STONE didn't just capture this philosophy in this campaign; they translated it into a visual language that speaks directly to the hearts of pet parents everywhere." "To My Hooman" aims to target all pet owners, especially those located in or near urban hubs. The campaign will launch across the U.S. and in Canada and includes television (both broadcast and streaming) and social media buys. Campaign CreditsMatt McCain/Michael Boychuk - FoundersChrstine Wise - StrategistKat O'Hara - Senior ProducerTiffany Stone - Creative Operations ManagerAlex Fitch - Business DirectorRob Scherzer - Composer Maxwell Scherzer - Vocal TalentJohn Buroker - HEARby Audio Engineer: Sound Design & MixNannette Buroker - HEARby Executive Producer Giant Ant:Executive Producer, Giant Ant: Teresa ToewsExecutive Creative Director, Giant Ant: Jay GrandinHead of Character Animation, Giant Ant: Sitji ChouProducers, Giant Ant: Melissa Buisán, Katie ColhounCreative Direction, Giant Ant: Sitji ChouIllustration, Giant Ant: Sitji Chou, Ben OmmundsonCel Animation, Giant Ant: Sitji Chou, Ben Ommundson Rover:Senior Director of Brand Marketing: Ashton DoyleChannel Marketing Lead : McKinley LovettSr. Creative Strategist: Annie Richards About DNA&STONEDNA&STONE is a full-service agency that doesn't flinch—for brands that want to go there. We combine creative firepower with operational excellence so clients feel grounded enough to take real risks. Because breakthrough work only happens when you feel safe enough to push boundaries. We help you do the scary things safely. Clients include BECU, Amazon, Providence, MCU, and Ziply Fiber. To learn more about us, please visit. About RoverFounded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Washington, Rover is the world's largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover's global footprint includes North America (US and Canada) and Europe, including the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and now Denmark and Ireland. Rover connects pet parents with pet care providers who offer overnight services, including boarding and in-home pet sitting, as well as daytime services, including doggy daycare, dog walking, and drop-in visits. Rover provides unrivaled tools and support to ensure pets' safety, including access to its Trust and Safety support team. Every sitter on the platform has passed ID verification and is carefully screened by a member of our team. The Rover Guarantee can also reimburse eligible expenses up to $25,000 in reimbursement should a pet require veterinary care during a stay. Our Trust and Safety support team is available to assist with any issues. To learn more about Rover, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE DNA&STONE Sign in to access your portfolio
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Taming the 'Beasts of Britain'
THE iconic MINI we see on our roads today are more expansive and stylised than the original 'tiny' car originally owned by British Motor Corp. British Motor later merged with Leyland Motor Corp in 1968 to become British Leyland. The latter subsequently became the Rover Group, which owned Rover, MINi, Land Rover and MG. BMW took control of the Rover Group and MINI in 1994. By the turn of the millennium, Rover was still suffering huge losses, so BMW decided to get rid of most of the companies - MG and Rover went to Phoenix and Land Rover was sold to Ford. But BMW kept the MINI and since the past 20 years, the vehicle has been produced in a variety of versions. They include the hatch, cabrio, Clubman, Paceman, coupe and roadster, as well as a limited edition all-electric model. Enough about some history lesson and let's move to the present day in Malaysia. On Friday, MINI Malaysia brought the legacy of heritage and bold expression to life with the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Track Day 2025 at Gamuda Cove. Designed for MINIacs and driving enthusiasts alike, the track day offered a showcase of the latest additions to the new MINI family, delivering adrenaline-fuelled driving experiences that embody MINI's hallmark racing DNA. At the core of the track day was a tribute to the spirit of John Cooper – the visionary who transformed a humble compact car into a motorsport icon. The track day featured the latest performance-driven models, including the new MINI JCW, first-ever all-electric MINI John Cooper Works, first-ever all-electric MINI John Cooper Works Aceman and MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. These latest additions to the new MINI family combine bold innovation with MINI's racing DNA, offering purist design, electrifying performance and go-kart-like handling that reimagine the brand's legacy for a new generation. Across two dedicated zones, participants had the opportunity to test the limits of MINI's most thrilling models. The 3.4-kilometre JCW Drive Zone was built for high-speed sprints and cornering. The JCW Track Zone, meanwhile, was inspired by the legendary Kartdromo Parma circuit in Italy. The circuit is known for its tight corners and technical complexity, challenges drivers with a layout designed to push traction, control, and braking precision under pressure. Whether it is the classic MINI JCW or the fully electric MINI JCW Aceman, each model was put to the test where they can truly stand out, on the track. MINI Malaysia urged participants to unleash their "Beast Mode"' although we felt the real beasst here were the many MINIs available for test and it was up to us to tame them. At the end of the test, participants were presented with a track bred certificate to signify that our "powerful performance has made its mark on the track". Also on display at the track day were the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper 5 Door, all-electric MINI Cooper, new MINI convertible, MINI Countryman, all-electric MINI Countryman and all-electric MINI Aceman, which were featured in two distinct editions. The all-electric MINI Aceman Track Edition features exclusive race livery on the hood, sides and rear of the vehicle and a MINI floating hub cap. This all-electric MINI Aceman Slick Edition features silver livery across the hood, sides and rear, and is also adorned with the signature floating hub cap, completing a showcase of sheer driving excitement and design individuality.
