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MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, faced criticism after a failed partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas for a three-night "MrBeast Experience" from April 13–15, 2024. Fans were promised games, exclusive merch, special menu items, and a $10,000 prize opportunity. However, social media posts revealed unmet expectations—some attendees waited up to 24 hours for a mystery surprise that turned out to be chocolates. In response, Donaldson promised refunds and studio tours in Greenville, NC. This mishap follows past controversies with MrBeast Burger (2023) and Lunchly (2024), underscoring the risks of outsourcing operations. In 2024, Donaldson left his management company Night and expanded his in-house team, hiring Jeffrey Housenbold as president of Beast Industries. The company, valued at $5 billion, earned $473 million in revenue in 2024 and projects nearly double that for 2025. The incident further validates MrBeast’s strategy to internalize operations and safeguard his brand amid growing ambitions.

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• How will increased vertical integration impact the creator economy landscape?

• Are fans and consumers beginning to expect more corporate-like accountability from influencers?

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