MrBeast’s deal drama, Dude Perfect’s big expansion, & TikTok’s creator push

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MrBeast’s burger deal blow-up: “I signed a really f****d deal”

MrBeast is over his burger venture. Newly revealed court docs show YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson’s frustration with the MrBeast Burger deal, which he now regrets signing.

Why it matters: Creators face major risks when partnering with third parties. For MrBeast, this burger business has turned into a nightmare, exposing the challenges of giving up control over a personal brand.

What he’s saying: “I’m just never going to promote it again and let it slowly die,” MrBeast texted a business confidant. “They hold me hostage and try to make me their b****.”

The backstory: Donaldson sued Virtual Dining Concepts in 2023 for serving “inedible” food and damaging his brand. VDC countersued for $100 million, accusing MrBeast of violating the deal.

The takeaway: It’s a clear warning to creators—control your brand or risk it all. MrBeast’s ordeal highlights the dangers of handing over too much control in third-party partnerships.

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Creators are becoming entrepreneurs, and consumers are here for it

New research from Billion Dollar Boy shows that 65% of consumers are now buying products from creator-founded brands. With 88% of creators having already launched products and 93% planning to do so next year, creator entrepreneurs are on the rise. Younger consumers, in particular, trust these creator-driven brands more than traditional ones, drawn by their quality and sense of community.

But it’s not all smooth sailing—many creators face challenges like limited budgets and lack of experience. To help, Billion Dollar Boy has launched FiveTwoNine, a platform designed to support creators in overcoming these hurdles and launching their own ventures.

Dude Perfect aims high after $100m funding boost

Dude Perfect is leveling up. With over $100 million in new funding, the YouTube sports and comedy giants are diving deeper into toys, gaming, live events, and even women’s sports.

Why it matters: Dude Perfect has been a YouTube sensation for years, but this funding signals a major expansion. The five co-founders, who started with trick shot videos at Texas A&M, are now chasing even bigger dreams under newly appointed CEO Andrew Yaffe.

What they’re saying: “We’ve needed a CEO for a while,” co-founder Coby Cotton said at the Axios BFD event. “The five of us have been bottlenecking our own growth.”

Yaffe, formerly with the NBA, echoed this sentiment: “Now that we have the security, we can take risks in gaming, toys, and live experiences.”

What’s next: Expect new toy lines launching on Black Friday, more gaming content, and even some women's sports projects in the works. Plus, a U.S. and Europe tour is on the horizon for 2025.

The bottom line: “We want to be the most trusted name in entertainment,” Cotton said. With fresh capital and big ideas, Dude Perfect is ready to make that happen.

TikTok helps creators launch their own products

TikTok is doubling down on e-commerce, taking steps to help creators design and sell their own custom products directly to fans through its Shop platform. The app is reportedly connecting influencers with manufacturers to streamline the process of building personalized product lines. This could be a game changer for creators looking to turn their content into a tangible brand.

Why it matters: Custom products offer creators a bigger financial payoff compared to sponsored content. Rather than just promoting a brand for a quick payout, creators now have the chance to build long-term revenue streams by selling goods they own.

The details: Major influencers like MrBeast and Logan Paul have already found success with product lines, but now TikTok is opening that door to creators of all sizes. Whether it's a fitness creator selling gear or a food blogger dropping a cookbook, the move to connect creators with manufacturers could open new revenue streams across the platform.

TikTok’s US e-commerce push has seen sales soar to over $1 billion a month, but it’s still facing challenges from potential legal restrictions. Whether these efforts will pay off in the long run could depend on how TikTok navigates its looming legal battles.

Top updates 🍵

💬 Apple is cautious about AI's impact on photo authenticity, introducing basic object removal in iOS 18.1 while avoiding more extreme AI edits like rivals, aiming to preserve trust in photography.

🎙️ Donald Trump is reportedly set to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience this Friday, with Kamala Harris potentially following, as her campaign has been in talks with Rogan’s team.

☕️ Twitch accidentally disabled email signups for Israeli and Palestinian users for a year, following the October 7th attacks, and only lifted the block after an inquiry, apologizing for the oversight and citing concerns over graphic content.

🥒 Logan Moffitt, a creator better known as the “Cucumber Guy” for his cucumber-focused recipes, was signed by digital talent agency Underscore Talent.

Creator notes 📝

Read: Canva has a shiny new text-to-image generator (The Verge)

Watch: TikTok (SNL)

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