Meet Our New Barketing Director: Iris the GSP

How dogs took over social media—and what that means for your brand

We have a new teammate at Magnolia—and she has four legs, boundless energy, and a serious eye for social strategy. Meet Iris, our new Barketing Director. She’s a German Shorthaired Pointer who brings a fresh perspective (and a lot of fur) to our work.

But this isn’t just a cute promotion—it’s a nod to a bigger trend we’ve been watching closely: dogs are dominating social media, and their influence is only growing.

Why Dogs Bring a Different Side to Social Media

There’s something about dogs that instantly shifts the tone of a post. They cut through the noise. They disarm you. They don’t need filters or perfect captions — just a sideways glance, a clumsy leap, or a joyful tail wag is enough to stop the scroll.

In a sea of curated content, dogs remind us of what social media used to be: fun, spontaneous, and full of personality. Their presence brings a softness, a bit of chaos, and a whole lot of heart. And that emotional pull? It's powerful.

Whether it’s Iris snoozing under a desk during a content planning call or inspecting props for a shoot (aka trying to chew them), she brings lightness to the work we do — and that energy translates directly into the content we create. It’s authentic, human, and relatable — even when it’s starring a dog.

Why Brands Should Consider Pup Partnerships

1. It gives clarity to dog-friendly spaces.
For businesses like cafés, boutiques, breweries, and salons, there’s often confusion about whether dogs are welcome. A pup partnership does more than generate likes—it serves as a visual “yes, bring your dog!” stamp of approval. When followers see a dog lounging comfortably in your space, it answers the unspoken question and invites a whole new wave of two- and four-legged foot traffic.

2. Pet-loving audiences are huge—and highly engaged.
This isn’t niche anymore. According to inBeat, 63% of pet owners follow at least one pet influencer, and posts by dog accounts often see 7% engagement rates, compared to around 2.4% for traditional influencers. That means you’re not just getting reach—you’re reaching a loyal, emotionally invested audience that pays attention.

3. It unlocks playful, relatable content.
People love seeing dogs “review” patios, explore aisles, or cozy up in a corner booth. These moments are natural, shareable, and easy to repurpose into reels, stories, and behind-the-scenes content. Pup partnerships give your brand personality—and a reason for followers to smile and stick around.

So, What’s Next?

With Iris officially in the Barketing seat, you can expect more pup-forward content, brand spotlights with our dog-loving clients, and creative ways to showcase the power of paws in social storytelling. Whether you're a dog-friendly biz or just want to tap into the joy pets bring to platforms, we’re ready to help you make the most of it.

Stay tuned—there are treats ahead.