In the booming U.S. pet influencer economy—worth billions annually—few names stand out like The Dogist and Atchoum the Cat. The Dogist, a U.S.-based street dog photography brand, and Atchoum, a uniquely hirsute Persian cat from Canada with a huge U.S. fanbase, have become icons. But their fame isn’t just about adorable content—it’s about sharp business acumen. For U.S. pet lovers, marketers, and brands, understanding how these two influencers generate income reveals why pet-focused marketing remains such a lucrative and evolving space.
The Dogist: Building a Brand Around Documentary-Style Dog Photography
The Dogist’s business model is rooted in professional photography and authentic storytelling. Founded by Elias Weiss Friedman in 2013, The Dogist began as an Instagram account featuring candid dog portraits on New York City streets. Today, it’s a multi-channel brand with a global following exceeding 4 million across platforms. But for U.S. marketers, the magic lies in how The Dogist translates heartwarming snapshots into revenue.
Sponsored Content and Brand Collaborations
The Dogist regularly partners with U.S. pet brands such as Purina, BarkBox, and Petco. These partnerships often involve branded photo shoots, sponsored posts, or campaigns highlighting adoptable dogs. Because The Dogist’s imagery feels authentic, brands pay premium rates to align with that trust. Sponsored content has reportedly become one of The Dogist’s most consistent revenue streams, providing a bridge between big pet corporations and engaged dog lovers.
Merchandise, Books, and Licensing Deals
Beyond sponsored content, The Dogist has capitalized on physical products. Its photography books, such as The Dogist: Photographic Encounters with 1,000 Dogs, have been U.S. bestsellers, appealing to gift buyers and pet enthusiasts. The Dogist also licenses images for calendars, greeting cards, and editorial use, creating passive income. Merchandise like apparel and prints lets fans literally wear their love for dogs, while limited-edition collaborations with apparel brands have sold out quickly.
Atchoum the Cat: Turning Viral Uniqueness into a Global Pet Brand
Atchoum, famous for his unusually long fur and expressive eyes due to hypertrichosis, became a viral sensation around 2015. Though based in Quebec, his popularity exploded among U.S. audiences—particularly on Instagram and Facebook, where he boasts hundreds of thousands of followers. Atchoum’s business model, while smaller in scale than The Dogist’s, thrives on personality-driven content and direct fan engagement.
Social Media Sponsorships and Niche Brand Deals
Atchoum’s primary revenue stream comes from sponsored content with pet care companies, grooming product brands, and lifestyle accessories. Unlike The Dogist’s polished photography aesthetic, Atchoum’s appeal is his quirky, lovable persona. Brands targeting U.S. cat owners—especially those seeking a niche influencer with a highly engaged community—find Atchoum ideal for micro-influencer campaigns. His posts often feature playful captions and videos that make sponsored messages feel organic.
Fan Merchandise and Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Atchoum’s team offers branded merchandise, including T-shirts, mugs, stickers, and calendars featuring his distinct look. The direct-to-consumer approach means fewer intermediaries and higher profit margins. For U.S. fans, owning Atchoum merchandise feels personal, as if they’re supporting a small, beloved creator. Occasional limited-edition drops add urgency, encouraging quick sales and repeat customers.
Platforms and Audience Targeting: U.S. Engagement Strategies Compared
The Dogist dominates Instagram but also leverages TikTok, YouTube, and a standalone website. His street photography resonates with urban U.S. millennials and Gen Z users who love New York City culture and dog adoption advocacy. Atchoum focuses primarily on Instagram and Facebook, where cat-loving communities thrive. His demographic skews slightly older, with many U.S. followers being women aged 25–44 who enjoy quirky, heartwarming content.
While The Dogist sometimes expands into cause-driven campaigns (like rescue dog features) that attract donations or event sponsorships, Atchoum’s team engages fans through polls, live Q&As, and direct comments, fostering an intimate community vibe that smaller U.S. brands value.
Events, Appearances, and Offline Monetization Angles
For The Dogist, in-person events—such as photo walks, adoption fairs, and book signings—are a vital revenue stream and branding tool. Hosting sponsored dog walks in U.S. cities creates direct interaction between fans, dogs, and partner brands. Photography workshops offered by The Dogist team also generate income while reinforcing their authority in the pet photography niche.
Atchoum’s offline presence is more limited but still impactful. Virtual appearances, charity fundraisers, and occasional meet-and-greets help maintain his U.S. visibility. Because Atchoum is based in Canada, these appearances are less frequent, but when they occur—especially in U.S. cities near the border—they draw enthusiastic crowds.
Content Strategy Differences: Authenticity Versus Personality-Driven Humor
The Dogist’s strategy revolves around high-quality, documentary-style photography. Every post feels like a mini story about a dog and its owner, which appeals to audiences craving meaningful, authentic content. This authenticity makes The Dogist an attractive partner for premium brands.
Atchoum’s strategy is built around playful humour and his distinctive appearance. His content is lighter and more personality-driven—fans tune in for his reactions, costumes, and quirky videos. U.S. lifestyle brands and grooming product companies find this approach ideal for viral campaigns that require a touch of humour.
Affiliate Marketing and Secondary Revenue Streams
The Dogist has experimented with affiliate marketing, linking to dog products or photography gear through platforms like Amazon Associates. Combined with blog content on The Dogist’s website, these affiliate links provide a passive income stream. Similarly, Atchoum occasionally uses affiliate links for cat toys, grooming tools, or apparel. While affiliate income isn’t their main revenue source, it diversifies their income and enhances brand trust with fans seeking recommendations.
Brand Positioning: Premium Versus Quirky Community
The Dogist positions itself as a premium brand—its photography quality and partnerships with major pet companies reinforce a polished, professional image. This positioning allows for higher sponsorship fees and licensing opportunities.
Atchoum positions himself as the underdog (or undercat) of the influencer world. His approachable vibe and smaller-scale operations make him accessible to niche U.S. brands seeking authentic connections with cat lovers. By staying personal and playful, Atchoum avoids appearing overly commercialised, which helps retain fan loyalty.
Why These Models Matter for U.S. Marketers and Pet Lovers
The Dogist and Atchoum demonstrate two sides of the pet influencer economy. The Dogist shows how to scale a polished brand into multiple revenue streams, from books to workshops, while Atchoum proves that even a quirky niche cat can attract loyal U.S. fans and lucrative sponsorships. For U.S. marketers, these examples highlight that pet influencer success isn’t one-size-fits-all—brands can choose between premium, documentary-style campaigns or intimate, personality-driven collaborations.
Fresh Insight: The Emerging Hybrid Influencer Model
A surprising observation is how these two models might converge. The Dogist has begun sharing lighter, humorous content on TikTok, tapping into trends that Atchoum thrives on. Meanwhile, Atchoum’s growing professionalism—like polished photoshoots—suggests a shift toward a more premium brand aesthetic. U.S. marketers could soon see a hybrid influencer model: part polished documentary, part quirky personality. As pet influencer marketing matures, blending these approaches could be the next big monetisation trend.
Conclusion: Different Paths, Shared Success
The Dogist and Atchoum the Cat may come from different countries and strategies, but both have captured U.S. hearts—and wallets—through savvy business models. The Dogist’s diversified income streams show the power of premium branding, while Atchoum’s intimate, fan-first approach proves that authenticity and humour can be equally profitable. For U.S. pet lovers and marketers, these two influencers aren’t just adorable—they’re a blueprint for the evolving business of pet fame.
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