TOGETHER WITH

It’s Monday and Instagram is taking a page out of Snapchat’s playbook. The app’s latest look-alike feature: a tool that allows users to share a collaborative map of text and video posts with friends.

🗞️ Today’s News 🗞️

• MrBeast launches an internal investigation 👀

• TikTok users can now buy items directly from in-feed Amazon ads

• YouTube Premium subscribers gain access to a new “Sleep Timer”

• This week on the podcast…

BEAST MODE

MrBeast is launching an internal investigation to dig into misconduct allegations

The context: MrBeast’s multimedia empire is at a turning point. Just weeks after becoming YouTube’s most-followed creator, MrBeast—aka Jimmy Donaldson—has found himself at the center of a myriad of controversies.

The basis for those allegations comes from creators like Rosanna Pansino, who posted a series of critical videos after learning about unsafe filming conditions from contestants on MrrBeast’s upcoming Amazon show, Beast Games.

Other claims were put forth by former MrBeast employee DogPack404, who accused Donaldson of faking video challenges and forcing employees to limit their personal social media presence (an allegation supported by fellow former MrBeast employee Jake Franklin).

The response: MrBeast team member Chucky Appleby responded to DogPack’s first video by characterizing the creator as a lying former employee who was let go for “erratic behavior.” Not long after, Donaldson’s team attributed Beast Games’ chaotic production to external factors like weather and the global CrowdStrike outage.

Now, MrBeast himself is taking action. In an internal memo viewed by The Associated Press, Donaldson assured team members that he plans to take the following actions in order to “create a culture that makes all our employees feel safe”:

1. Institute mandatory training related to subjects like safety, diversity, and sensitivity.
   
   

2. Set up an anonymous reporting system.
   
   

3. Hire new executives, including a Chief Human Resources Officer and a Chief Financial Officer.
   
   

4. Conduct a full investigation into the allegations against Ava Kris Tyson—a former employee accused of inappropriately messaging a minor and pressuring employees into sexual acts—through the law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.

The takeaway: Will those measures be enough to save MrBeast’s brand reputation? At least so far, the answer seems to be a resounding yes. Even amidst a swirl of controversy, the latest video on the primary MrBeast channel accrued 130 million views in under seven days. It’s not hard to see why: MrBeast’s main hub appeals to 300 million YouTube subscribers across generational, lingual, and regional lines—making it remarkably hardy even in the face of domestic criticism.

🔆 SPONSORED 🔆

VidSummit is less than one month away. Here’s everything creators should know for 2024:

VidSummit is the only event where the top 1% of influencers unite to share insights and uncover industry secrets. This year, speakers like HopeScope, Marissa Hill, and MatPat will travel to Dallas to unravel the intricacies of data-driven monetization, the AI revolution, and more.

Here’s a quick FAQ before VidSummit 2024 kicks off in September:

1. Who is this event for?
Designed by creators for creators, VidSummit is an exclusive space for video creators and other industry pros to meet, network, and share the truth of their success.

2. What makes VidSummit different?
Industry pros converge at VidSummit to share insights and offer mentorship—not to connect with fans. That key detail means speakers are 100% focused on furthering your career with crucial data, insider strategies, and unfiltered insights into the business of the creator economy.

3. What can I expect from this year’s schedule?
From September 3-5, leading creators like EYstreem, Colin & Samir, and Tom Bilyeu will host keynotes, panels, and roundtables spanning everything from thumbnail creation to global audience-building and creator product development. 

4. How can I snag a pass to VidSummit?
Hit the link below to find out:

Buy your ticket →

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

Amazon wants you to buy its products mid-scroll

The integration: Amazon is setting its sights on TikTok and Pinterest users. The ecommerce titan has teamed up with both apps to allow users to buy items directly from in-feed Amazon ads, without having to complete purchases on an external site.

According to TikTok, users will be able to view product details and purchase items from select in-app ads on the For You page after completing a one-time process to link their Amazon account information.

The context: Social shopping has been on Amazon’s radar for a while now. The ecommerce giant brought similar integrations to Snapchat and Instagram last year, and in 2022 launched a TikTok-style feed of its own called Inspire.

The effectiveness of those efforts remains to be seen. Some marketers have argued that few brands see significant results from Amazon’s integrations with Instagram and Snapchat. TikTok’s social shopping initiatives, on the other hand, are already making a powerful impact on the ecommerce industry. Its Shop hub now counts more than half a million U.S. sellers, and the platform aims to earn $17.5 billion in 2024 revenue for its U.S. ecommerce operation.

HEADLINES IN BRIEF 📰

• YouTube has announced the launch of Sleep Timer, a Premium feature that automatically pauses videos after a set period. (Tubefilter)
  ​

• Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki reportedly passed away on Friday after a battling lung cancer for two years. (NPR)

• Former Twitter executive chairman Omid Kordestani is suing the platform over allegations that it failed to pay out over $20 million in promised stocks. (Engadget)
  
  

• Turkey lifted its national ban on Instagram after revealing that the app has agreed to “work jointly” to address censorship concerns. (Bloomberg)

LISTEN UP 🎙️

This week on the podcast…

Creators and the Olympics: From podcasters like Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper to YouTube stars like Carter Kench, creators were everywhere during the 2024 Olympics.

On the latest episode of Creator Upload, experts Joshua Cohen and Lauren Schnipper dive into “the game behind the games” with insight from Nya-Gabriella Parchment, Co-Head of Brand Partnerships for UTA Creators. Check out the full episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.​

Today's newsletter is from: Emily Burton, Sam Gutelle, and Josh Cohen. Drew Baldwin helped edit, too. It's a team effort.