
CEO Matt Meeker to Transition Focus Exclusively to Operational Leadership Amid Special Committee&#39;s Review Process


BARK, Inc. (NYSE:BARK) (&#34;BARK&#34; or the &#34;Company&#34;), a leading global omnichannel dog brand with a mission

<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignc">
<i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">CEO Matt Meeker to Transition Focus Exclusively to Operational Leadership Amid Special Committee's Review Process</i>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
BARK, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BARK">BARK</a>) ("BARK" or the "Company"), a leading global omnichannel dog brand with a mission to make all dogs happy, today announced that after discussion with the Special Committee of the Company's Board of Directors, Matt Meeker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair of the Board, has voluntarily withdrawn as a member and equity holder in Great Dane Ventures, LLC, an entity formed by certain of the Company's stockholders to submit a preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire the Company.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
As previously disclosed, the Special Committee is focused on maximizing value for all BARK stockholders, and will review any proposal to acquire the Company as well as evaluating the Company's standalone value with the assistance of its independent financial and legal advisors. The Company supports Mr. Meeker's decision.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Mr. Meeker will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and remains fully committed to executing BARK's strategy and delivering value for shareholders.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any definitive agreement will be executed relating to the proposals or that any proposed transaction or any other transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to provide any updates with respect to the proposals received or any other transaction or proposal, except as required under applicable law.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">About BARK</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
BARK is the world's most dog-centric company, devoted to making all dogs happy with the best products, food, services, and content. BARK's dog-obsessed team leverages its unique, data-driven understanding of what makes each dog special to design playstyle-specific toys, wildly satisfying treats, dog-first experiences that foster the health and happiness of dogs everywhere, and more. Founded in 2011, BARK loyally serves millions of dogs nationwide with BarkBox and Super Chewer, its themed toys and treats subscriptions; custom product collections through its retail partner network, including Target, Chewy, and Amazon; BARK in the Belly, a premium dog food and consumables line that donates 100% of food profits to fight canine hunger; and BARK Air, the first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first. At BARK, we want to make dogs as happy as they make us because dogs and humans are better together. Sniff around at <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fbark.co&amp;esheet=54436699&amp;newsitemid=20260302567424&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=bark.co&amp;index=1&amp;md5=03f27d49522ffa4c70ed82586d83160c" shape="rect">bark.co</a> for more information.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Forward-Looking Statements</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," &#34;anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "intend," "potential," "continue," "ongoing" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from any results or outcomes made or implied in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks and information included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company&#39;s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 5, 2026, copies of which may be obtained by visiting the Company's Investor Relations website at <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Finvestors.bark.co%2F&amp;esheet=54436699&amp;newsitemid=20260302567424&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=https%3A%2F%2Finvestors.bark.co%2F&amp;index=2&amp;md5=b0f1f0e53ce22a80f2175e0837b94009" shape="rect">https://investors.bark.co/</a> or the SEC's website at <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sec.gov&amp;esheet=54436699&amp;newsitemid=20260302567424&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.sec.gov&amp;index=3&amp;md5=755e34905232058c79134a15dabeb9c0" shape="rect">www.sec.gov</a>. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260302567424r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwct31415"></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-phrase">View source version on businesswire.com: </span><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-link"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302567424/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302567424/en/</a></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Investors:
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Michael Mougias
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:investors@barkbox.com" shape="rect">investors@barkbox.com</a>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Media:
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Garland Harwood
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:press@barkbox.com" shape="rect">press@barkbox.com</a>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Jim Golden / Ed Hammond / Quinn Conway
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Collected Strategies
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:BARK-CS@collectedstrategies.com" shape="rect">BARK-CS@collectedstrategies.com</a>

</p>

BARK

BARK Confirms CEO's Decision to Withdraw from Great Dane

BARK CEO Prioritizes Operational Leadership Amid Acquisition Evaluations

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>CEO Matt Meeker to Transition Focus Exclusively to Operational Leadership Amid Special Committee&amp;#39;s Review Process


BARK, Inc. (NYSE:BARK) (&amp;#34;BARK&amp;#34; or the &amp;#34;Company&amp;#34;), a leading global omnichannel dog brand with a mission</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>BARK&#039;s CEO, Matt Meeker, is refocusing on operational leadership while the Special Committee evaluates potential acquisition proposals. This strategic shift aims to strengthen shareholder value but introduces uncertainty regarding any future transactions.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>CEO Matt Meeker focuses on operational leadership amid acquisition discussions.</li><li>Meeker resigns from Great Dane Ventures to avoid conflicts of interest.</li><li>Special Committee aims to maximize value for all BARK shareholders.</li><li>No guarantees on definitive offers or agreements regarding acquisition proposals.</li><li>BARK remains committed to executing its current strategy to deliver shareholder value.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>Great Dane Ventures (Not applicable)</strong>: Meeker&#039;s withdrawal helps eliminate conflicts during the acquisition review.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>This news falls under Corporate Developments as it involves strategic leadership changes amidst potential acquisition discussions. The focus on operational leadership indicates a desire for stability and growth amidst uncertainty.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Meeker&#039;s focus shift could impact BARK&#039;s operational execution amid acquisition talks.</li><li>Board&#039;s review process may influence investor sentiment and stock movement.</li><li>Any definitive acquisition proposal could lead to increased market volatility.</li><li>Uncertainty surrounding transaction outcomes may deter short-term investors.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Matt Meeker remains CEO while he withdraws from Great Dane Ventures.</li><li>The Board&#039;s Special Committee is evaluating acquisition interest.</li><li>BARK aims to maximize value for shareholders during this review.</li><li>No timeline disclosed for potential acquisition proposals or outcomes.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Investors should monitor BARK for potential volatility as acquisition talks unfold.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignc">
<i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">CEO Matt Meeker to Transition Focus Exclusively to Operational Leadership Amid Special Committee's Review Process</i>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
BARK, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BARK">BARK</a>) ("BARK" or the "Company"), a leading global omnichannel dog brand with a mission to make all dogs happy, today announced that after discussion with the Special Committee of the Company's Board of Directors, Matt Meeker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair of the Board, has voluntarily withdrawn as a member and equity holder in Great Dane Ventures, LLC, an entity formed by certain of the Company's stockholders to submit a preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire the Company.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
As previously disclosed, the Special Committee is focused on maximizing value for all BARK stockholders, and will review any proposal to acquire the Company as well as evaluating the Company's standalone value with the assistance of its independent financial and legal advisors. The Company supports Mr. Meeker's decision.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Mr. Meeker will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and remains fully committed to executing BARK's strategy and delivering value for shareholders.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any definitive agreement will be executed relating to the proposals or that any proposed transaction or any other transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to provide any updates with respect to the proposals received or any other transaction or proposal, except as required under applicable law.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">About BARK</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
BARK is the world's most dog-centric company, devoted to making all dogs happy with the best products, food, services, and content. BARK's dog-obsessed team leverages its unique, data-driven understanding of what makes each dog special to design playstyle-specific toys, wildly satisfying treats, dog-first experiences that foster the health and happiness of dogs everywhere, and more. Founded in 2011, BARK loyally serves millions of dogs nationwide with BarkBox and Super Chewer, its themed toys and treats subscriptions; custom product collections through its retail partner network, including Target, Chewy, and Amazon; BARK in the Belly, a premium dog food and consumables line that donates 100% of food profits to fight canine hunger; and BARK Air, the first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first. At BARK, we want to make dogs as happy as they make us because dogs and humans are better together. Sniff around at <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fbark.co&amp;esheet=54436699&amp;newsitemid=20260302567424&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=bark.co&amp;index=1&amp;md5=03f27d49522ffa4c70ed82586d83160c" shape="rect">bark.co</a> for more information.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Forward-Looking Statements</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," &#34;anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "intend," "potential," "continue," "ongoing" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from any results or outcomes made or implied in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks and information included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company&#39;s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 5, 2026, copies of which may be obtained by visiting the Company's Investor Relations website at <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Finvestors.bark.co%2F&amp;esheet=54436699&amp;newsitemid=20260302567424&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=https%3A%2F%2Finvestors.bark.co%2F&amp;index=2&amp;md5=b0f1f0e53ce22a80f2175e0837b94009" shape="rect">https://investors.bark.co/</a> or the SEC's website at <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sec.gov&amp;esheet=54436699&amp;newsitemid=20260302567424&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.sec.gov&amp;index=3&amp;md5=755e34905232058c79134a15dabeb9c0" shape="rect">www.sec.gov</a>. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260302567424r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwct31415"></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-phrase">View source version on businesswire.com: </span><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-link"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302567424/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302567424/en/</a></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Investors:
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Michael Mougias
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:investors@barkbox.com" shape="rect">investors@barkbox.com</a>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Media:
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Garland Harwood
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:press@barkbox.com" shape="rect">press@barkbox.com</a>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Jim Golden / Ed Hammond / Quinn Conway
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Collected Strategies
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:BARK-CS@collectedstrategies.com" shape="rect">BARK-CS@collectedstrategies.com</a>

</p>

BARK's CEO, Matt Meeker, is refocusing on operational leadership while the Special Committee evaluates potential acquisition proposals. This strategic shift aims to strengthen shareholder value but introduces uncertainty regarding any future transactions.

BARK Confirms CEO's Decision to Withdraw from Great Dane

AI Summary

Sentiment Rationale

Trading Thesis

Market-Moving

Key Facts

Companies Mentioned

Corporate Developments

Related News