Leaked MrBeast memo reveals YouTube stars formula for success including obsessive workers and extreme videos

A leaked document has laid out YouTube star MrBeast’s formula for success – which includes “obsessive” workers, an emphasis on the “wow factor” and his philosophy that “the more extreme the better.”Jimmy Donaldson – the 26-year-old face of YouTube’s most-subscribed channel MrBeast – seemingly pushed a work environment reminiscent of more traditional tech giants like Amazon and Apple focused on “obsessive” staffers.In a leaked memo circulating on X that Business Insider verified with two former MrBeast staffers, Donaldson classifies employees as A-Players, B-Players and the dreaded C-Players. “There is only room in this company for A-Players,” Donaldson wrote in the memo.“A-Players are obsessive, learn from mistakes, coachable, intelligent, don’t make excuses, believe in YouTube, see the value of this company, and are the best in the goddamn world at their job.”B-Players are “new people that need to be trained into A-Players,” Donaldson wrote.C-Players – otherwise known as “average” employees – are “poisonous” and should be “transitioned” elsewhere immediately, the YouTube celeb wrote.MrBeast did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Donaldson, whose MrBeast’s main channel boasts more than 317 million subscribers, told Time magazine in February he rakes in about $700 million a year in revenue from his multiple businesses, including spinoff YouTube accounts like a gaming channel and his Feastables snack brand.Donaldson seems to employ a “money talks” philosophy, telling employees if they read the entire guide and “pass a quiz” he will give them $1,000.

Donaldson drops tips through the 36-page guide, like “the more extreme the better” and “the first minute of each video is the most important minute of each video.”He emphasizes the importance of the “wow factor,” or something his channel can do that “no other youtuber can do” – like moving a house via crane on video.The YouT...