Layoffs, Gaming & Creators
Tech layoffs and gaming creators sign big with YouTube
Editors Note:
This is actually a article from a few weeks ago that I forgot to hit send on - it’s oddly still very relevant though. Enjoy.
The Pre-Roll
📸 Creator Economy Startup Layoffs Continue
🏢 YouTube Gaming signs Myth & LilyPichu & Ultimate Crown
📱Verishop raises $40M Series B round
🎵 Roblox hires heads of music & entertainment partnerships
8 Creator Economy Startups Layoff Employees
The above chart is from The Information. Over 8 creator startups have announced layoffs amidst the current and upcoming tech recession.
There are a few more companies that have announced layoffs including Lightricks, StreamElements, and Skillshare. As companies fight to stay alive, layoffs are done (hopefully as a last resort) to maintain cash flow and keep the company afloat during these turbulent times.
Amidst the 8 companies listed above, Cameo seems to have laid off the most people while Clubhouse has had a few key executives leave the company. Layoffs are nothing new especially in the startup space but this comes on the heels of major tech layoffs as everyone braces for the financial impact of the oncoming recession.
Why This Matters: Well, if you’re a company who is hiring, look for people from these creator startups as they are probably job hunting and looking for their next adventure (in fact, I am one of these people, let me know if you’re hiring for creator marketing roles, I’m looking).
If you are not hiring, reach out to friends/acquaintances at these companies and check in with them. Layoffs are rough for everyone especially if you’re losing colleagues you loved working with.
YouTube Gaming signs Myth & LilyPichu
If you’re in the gaming space, you’ve probably heard of Ali “Myth” Kabbani. Myth has been streaming on Twitch for over 7 years and rose to fame as the Fortnite craze grew. Myth was widely regarded as the 2nd best player behind Ninja and arguably the best builder in the game. With 7.4M followers across socials and almost 5M subscribers on YouTube, this seems like a no brainer for Myth to come to YouTube.
YouTube Gaming has been on a tear signing big streamers from Twitch in the last few years. Myth joins the ranks of CourageJD, Ninja, TimTheTatMan, Dr. Lupo, Valkyrae, Ludwig, Dr. Disrespect and more.
LilyPichu also joins YouTube Gaming in a exclusive deal joining the same crew. Lily is known as a variety streamer and her bubbly personality keeps viewers engaged.
Why This Matters: YouTube Gaming is slowly siphoning big creators away from Twitch. As Twitch stagnates in terms of creator product offerings, YouTube Gaming allows for more creator flexibility and probably more revenue than Twitch. Twitch still takes 50% and has had a few problems in terms of being a creator-first platform especially for gamers. From emotes to revenue sharing, Twitch has stayed firm in their ways even when creators have asked for change. This has led to this massive shift at the highest tier of gaming creators to move to YouTube Gaming where the money and community is much more reticent to change. YouTube has also made gaming a priority for themselves. Just recently the CEO of YouTube did an interviewer with Ludwig that was honest and transparent about where the platform is going. That interview and product innovations will draw more gamers to YouTube Gaming.
Ultimate Crown Gaming Competition between Mr. Beast & Ninja raises $200K for charity
Mr. Beast and Ninja dueled in their long awaited League Of Legends battle for everyone to view. The event was called Ultimate Crown and here are the two teams rosters:
Mr. Beast’s team: Voyboy, Mizkif, Yassuo, Emiru, and Mr. Beast
Ninja’s team: Tyler1, Sapnap, Doublelift, Ludwig, and Ninja
The first two games were all team Beast so technically the event was over at that point as one team had won 2-0. But then for no reason whatsoever (aside from giving the fans more entertainment), Ninja decided to stake $50K on a 3rd game and Beast agreed.
Game 3 saw a shift in strategy from Team Ninja and it ended up being an all-out bloodbath for Mr. Beast who got completely eviscerated in Game 3. League of Legends aside, the fact that two of the biggest gamers can come together for a competition shows how big creators can help smaller creators.
Each of these creators on both teams have smaller streams (with the exception of probably Ludwig who’s probably as big as Ninja on YouTube). The event itself shows that not only are crossovers possible but that crossovers are a great idea for any creator regardless of content type or audience type.
Roblox poaches a new head of music partnerships
Roblox has hired a new head of music partnerships in Karibi Dagogo-Jack. Karibi previously was heading up Spotify partnerships after jumping ship after a little over 2 years at the streaming giant.
Bringing a plethora of experiences to Roblox, Dagogo-Jack will be tasked with a lot at Roblox including finding ways to create immersive musical experiences for a younger demographic on Roblox, licensing and IP opportunities that make it possible to create on Roblox and of course signing new deals and partnerships for artists to bring their music to the platform.
Roblox is following a similar trajectory as Fortnite in bringing live artists to the platform but are going about it a bit differently.
An exciting for Roblox and a new wave of music is on its way.
Thanks again for reading and I’ll see you soon with another article - share the digest if you want below!