This parody of a recent Airbnb ad is going viral this week (Image: YouTube)

Airbnb’s new television ad campaign titled “Is Mankind” featuring a cute baby and soothing voice-over is well done, and evokes plenty of warm fuzzies about travel and booking on Airbnb.

An Airbnb blog post introducing the ad states, “As we grow older, we’re often nervous about new experiences. When we go to a new place, many of us are afraid that we won’t be accepted, that we’ll feel lost or alone. When you fear the unknown and avoid strangers, it’s easy to question Man’s kindness.”

But a lot of folks think it’s kinda creepy, and the campaign’s rollout on TV and in social media is getting a mixed response. 

This week, one company went so far as to create a parody of the ad, featuring an aging, overweight man (in the same role as the baby) and a similarly soothing voice over, which is hilarious.

Take a look at the original ad, and the parody ad, and let us know what you think.

Watch this warm ‘n fuzzy ad from Airbnb:

And then watch this parody ad– and let us know if you still feel warm and fuzzy.

The parody ad appears on the AdHoc channel on YouTube, which “presents parodies, from people who love to hate (on) ads. Brought to you by Portal A [http://portal-a.com].”

Based on all the attention the ad is getting, we are wondering if Airbnb might have produced it knowing that it might elicit such a response, and expand its reach beyond just TV.

Thoughts, please!

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Avoiding long customs & immigration lines  + UberX, Lyft at LAX + Binge drinking on business?  + More!