MrBeast Calls for Comprehensive Evaluation of Internal Culture Following Allegations
NEW YORK — MrBeast has requested a thorough evaluation of the internal atmosphere in his YouTube realm as well as an examination into “accusations of inappropriate conduct by individuals within the organization,” according to a private memo acquired by The Associated Press.
Directed to “Team Beast” staff members, the communication dispatched Wednesday outlines structural adjustments including intentions to recruit a chief human resources officer and mandate company-wide sensitivity training. The broadened inquiry indicates that issues within YouTube’s largest channel may run deeper than the “grave allegations” facing a long-term collaborator acknowledged last month by MrBeast, whose actual name is Jimmy Donaldson.
“In my role as your leader, I accept accountability, and I am dedicated to continuing to enhance and evolve my style of leadership,” Donaldson penned. “I understand that I also need to establish a culture that ensures the safety of all our staff members and enables them to perform at their best.”
A representative for MrBeast verified that the memo was transmitted to employees, but declined further remarks. The memo comes after a tumultuous few weeks for the YouTuber, long admired by his youthful fans for spontaneous videos of extravagant giveaways and daring charitable gestures.
Donaldson confessed to previously using “inappropriate language” last week after clips circulated online of past homophobic and racist remarks. An early production of his ambitious game show — set to feature 1,000 competitors and a $5 million grand prize — recently prompted safety grievances from contestants who depicted a disordered set where they were deprived of regular access to sustenance, hydration, and medication.
The memo discloses that Donaldson has enlisted white-shoe law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan to scrutinize his friend and fellow creator Ava Tyson — who departed the organization in July following online accusations that she exchanged inappropriate sexual messages with minors.
In the interim, Donaldson informed employees that the company he established in 2016 at age 18 is implementing several changes designed “to cultivate a more positive internal culture as we continue to expand.”
The memo detailed intentions to also hire a chief financial officer and general counsel. The company will provide an “anonymous reporting mechanism” as well as compulsory training for all employees on “safety, sexual harassment, LGBTQ, diversity, sensitivity training, and workplace conduct,” according to the memo.
Donaldson has recently taken steps to broaden his influence far beyond his primary YouTube channel’s record 309 million subscribers.
Other YouTube channels “Beast Reacts” and “Beast Philanthropy” total more than 34 million and 25 million subscribers, respectively. His MrBeast Burger has been widely criticized but Walmart still stocks his popular Feastables chocolate bars. And Amazon Prime Video is set to carry “Beast Games” — promoted as the “largest reality competition.”
However, overseeing such a vast company becomes challenging, said Jake Bjorseth, founder of the Gen Z advertising agency Trndsttrs. He notes that is particularly intricate in MrBeast’s scenario when “an individual is the brand” and “his image is now more closely linked with the revenue.”
As the internal culture inevitably transforms more “corporate,” Bjorseth stated, Donaldson will need to figure out a way to “mitigate all risks” while still preserving the “magic” for his followers.
MrBeast’s response to the escalating controversies and any subsequent content alterations could potentially alienate various segments of his extensive audience, Bjorseth added.
“Will there be a negative reaction from consumers at the product level? Because that’s where there could be significant consequences,” he remarked.
“What will they do with the next release of a YouTube video?” he continued. “Is there a need for a response video to emerge from this or will it be business as usual? They’re in a very delicate position.”
___
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.