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☆ VidCon 2024 showcased the internet's hottest stars you may never have heard of. Here are 7 top takeaways from the annual creator industry conference.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The names fans gushed over at this year's VidCon creator conference, held last week in Anaheim, California, weren't the influencers you might expect (or maybe I'm just getting old?) Here are seven top takeaways from VidCon 2024, from the reign of Minecraft streamers to the struggles of once-buzzy startups:Creator collective, Krew, meeting fans at VidCon. Fans of these Minecraft creators lined up outside the convention center each morning, often dressed in cosplay related to the creator's videos. Last year, creator startups made a huge splash at VidCon. Related storiesBut this year, traditional media companies replaced creator startups as sponsors.

Persons: —, Jessica Bravura, Bravura, Products Amjad Hanif, Patrick Stevenson, VidCon, Tara, Alpha, TikTok, Tara Yummy, Jake Webber, Johnnie Guilbert, Hank, John Green, Amanda Perelli, Instagram, Meta, Ray, Twitch, Alix Earle, Jake Shane, Braxton Berrios, Dave Benett Organizations: Service, YouTube, Business, Products, White, Leadership Summit, SXSW, Cannes Lions, Merrell Twins, Publish Press, Disney, Hyatt Regency, YouTube Gaming, Hyatt, Facebook, UTA, Riviera, Cannes Locations: Anaheim , California, Bravura, VidCon, Spotify's, Australia

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewCreator-economy startup Jellysmack has sold its catalog-licensing business, JellyFi, a company spokesperson told Business Insider. "Jellysmack's team has been extremely professional, and we hope to continue collaborating with them on many other opportunities," Copyright Capital's CEO Jack Ojalvo told BI in a statement. AdvertisementThe company entered the catalog-licensing business in early 2022, saying it would set aside $500 million for the effort. The company chose to deprioritize JellyFi in favor of more profitable core initiatives.

Persons: —, Frederic Porcherot, Jack Ojalvo, Jellysmack, Sean Atkins, deprioritize, X, it's Organizations: Service, Copyright, BI, Business, Keli Network, YouTube, Facebook, Creative, Jellysmack, Productions, Network Media LLC, Crime Network Locations: SoftBank

But while the company's profile in the industry has stayed constant and swaggering, behind the curtain, its business has been increasingly troubled, 10 insiders told Business Insider. Creator economy professionals mingled beneath glowing jellyfish and coral light fixtures inside Jellysmack's creator lounge during VidCon 2023. "As a startup in the ever-evolving creator economy, we are constantly testing and adapting our business model," the Jellysmack spokesperson told BI in a statement. Advertisement"The world was falling apart with the pandemic, but early Jellysmack felt like a dream," the second former staffer told BI. BI viewed two Jellysmack contracts and an email exchange between Jellysmack and one of its creator clients to verify the practice.

Persons: —, SoftBank, lanyards, Jellymack, Jellysmack, YouTubers, Brad Mondo, Meta, Michael Philippe, Jellysmack cofounders Swann Maizil, Robin Sabban, Nathan Guetta, Condé Nast, Youri Hazanov, Sean Atkins, hasn't, Snapchat —, Amanda Perelli, JellyFi, deprioritize, that's, it's, Ollie Forsyth, They've Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook, influencers, BI, YouTube, Disney, Comcast, Keli, Big Tech, cryptocurrency, MTV, HBO, Copyright Capital, SoftBank, Productions, OKA Media, Network Media LLC, Crime, Star, Spotify, Crime Network Locations: VidCon, SoftBank

☆ A former Facebook exec said he regrets not defending ousted Oculus cofounder Palmer Luckey from a 'witch hunt.' Drama ensued.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A key former Facebook exec has reignited discussion of Oculus founder Palmer Luckey's 2016 firing. Former Oculus CTO and ex-Meta VR exec John Carmack said on X that he regrets not defending Luckey. Carmack and Luckey joined Facebook after it acquired Oculus, the VR company founded by Luckey in 2012, for $2 billion in 2014. "The culture has changed a lot since you left (internal discussions have to be work focused)," Bosworth replied on X. Business Insider reached out to representatives of Bosworth, Carmack, and Luckey but didn't receive an immediate response.

Persons: Palmer, John Carmack, Andrew Bosworth, Luckey, —, Palmer Luckey —, Carmack, Hillary Clinton, @PalmerLuckey, OTXBBnkK0p — John Carmack, Donald Trump, Clinton, he's, Carmack —, Bosworth, Meta, Forbes, wasn't, I'm Organizations: Facebook, Meta, Service, VR, Wall Street, Business Locations: California

CNBC embedded with teams from HSI and California Highway Patrol to witness four organized retail crime operations for this investigation. CNBCAt the bottom of organized retail crime rings are boosters — the people who go into stores and take the items. A bin filled with sparkly silver boots that police suspect an alleged San Jose, California, crime ring stole from T.J. Maxx. In a statement, a TJX spokesperson said the company is "thankful" for CHP's efforts and is taking organized retail crime "very seriously." Court records filed in connection with the case provide a rare glimpse into the inner workings of an alleged organized retail crime ring.

Persons: Michelle Mack, Mack, Michelle Mack's, Louis Vuitton, Adam Parks, they've, Parks, HSI, It's, Joaquin, El, Guzman, Scott Robles, Robles, moisturizer, Allegra, Maxx, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Manny Nevarez, TJX, Michael Ball, Diego, Donna Washburn, Washburn, Mack —, we'll, Charlotte, Estee Lauder, masterminding, Rob Bonta, Kenneth Mack, Bonta, Kimora Lee Gooding texted Michelle Mack, Jan, Gooding, Andrew Barclay, Scott, let's, Kenneth Mack texted Michelle Mack, Michelle Mack texted Alina Franco, Sephora, Prada, Ulta's, Dave Kimbell, Kimbell Organizations: Police, CNBC, Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland, New, U.S . Custom House, Operation French, Walgreens, New Orleans Public, Federal, Gillette, CHP, TJX Companies, Bay Area, CNBC Police, Flea, Santa, Attorney, Capitol Flea, L'Oreal, Macy's, Body Locations: San Diego, Bonsall , California, California, Washington , Utah , Oregon, Colorado , Arizona , Illinois , Texas, Florida , Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, U.S, Baton Rouge , Louisiana, HSI, New Orleans, Orleans, San Jose, Jose , California, Maxx, Bay, Bay Area, San Jose , California, Santa Clara, Washburn, St, Augustine , Florida, Charlotte Tilbury, Prada, LensCrafters

☆ For century-old Mack Trucks, the 18-wheeled, bulldog-big rig future is still going to be EV
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Bob Woods | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Mack Trucks, founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1900, is renowned for its 18-wheelers, diesel-powered big rigs with a trademark bulldog mounted on the hood. Purchase-making decisions are distinct for consumer and commercial markets, a difference reflected in last year's EV sales results within both sectors and outlooks for future growth. EV sales increased year over year by 40% in the fourth quarter, yet were down from 49% in the third quarter. Cox expects this year's EV sales to reach 1.5 million, about 36% higher than last year. Eighty EV truck deployments were cataloged in 2020, and those deployments jumped to 1,948 in 2022.

Persons: Mack Trucks, Mack, Jonathan Randall, Kelley, Cox, Tesla, EVs, Randall, BEV, Ann Rundle, Rundle Organizations: Mack Trucks North, Sweden's Volvo Group, Volvo Trucks, Volvo, U.S, EV, Ford, GM, EDF, American Truck Dealers Association, ACT Research, ICE Locations: Brooklyn , New York, —, New York City, Miami , Florida, Mack Trucks North America, Greensboro , North Carolina, Paris, U.S, United States

☆ Tech startup Jellysmack laid off staffers in the US and France last month. Read the memo its CEO sent to employees about the restructuring, which includes a focus on AI.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The creator economy startup Jellysmack laid off staffers in the US and France last month, Business Insider has learned. Jellysmack works with creators on distributing their content across platforms like Facebook and Snapchat to earn additional ad revenue, among other initiatives. We have to realign our resources around areas of the business where Jellysmack is seeing the most success. We encourage everyone to support impacted employees by reaching out to your networks to help our colleagues find their next opportunities. Jellysmack Technologies - Led by Robin (interim), this unit will continue to develop self-serve tech solutions that solve the pain points of creators.

Persons: Jellysmack, Snapchat, Michael Philippe, Philippe, Michael Philippe ,, What's, Sean, Axel, , Robin, Michael, Swann Organizations: Business, Facebook, BI, CSE, Works, Our, Jellysmack, Network Media Locations: France, French

☆ No. 4 Marquette set for test against No. 1 Kansas' star duo
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

4 Marquette will try to figure out how to stop the dynamic duo of Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr. as No. McCullar had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, recording just the seventh set of back-to-back triple-doubles in NCAA history and the first in Kansas history. McCullar had just the third official triple-double in school history in the Jayhawks' victory over Kentucky in Kansas' previous game. Self expected Adams to play around 10 minutes, but Adams had eight points and four assists in 26 minutes. David Joplin led Marquette with 19 points, followed by Ighodaro with 14 and Kam Jones with 12.

Persons: Marquette, Hunter Dickinson, Kevin McCullar Jr, Dickinson, McCullar, Chaminade, Hunter, Bill Self, Kevin, We've, KJ Adams Jr, Adams, KJ, he's, Sean Jones, UCLA's Lazar Stefanovic, Sebastian Mack's, Ighodaro, David Joplin, Kam Jones, Mack Organizations: Golden Eagles, Maui Invitational, Chaminade, McCullar, UCLA, Eagles, Jayhawks, Kentucky, KU, Marquette, The Bruins, Bruins, Thomson Locations: Kansas, Honolulu . Kansas, McCullar . Marquette, Marquette, Dallas

☆ George Santos apologized to a GOP representative after smearing him over his son's drug addiction: 'I am embarrassed and deeply sorry'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

George Santos apologized to his GOP colleague after he smeared them for their son's addiction. "I have the maturity and humility to acknowledge and accept when I'm wrong," Santos wrote. "Last night the House saw its shadow," Womack wrote on Wednesday night. Instead of being home, taking care of your son, you're sitting pretty in the swamp." He linked to a local news site in Arkansas detailing how Womack's son recently pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and illegally having a gun as a felon.

Persons: George Santos, I've, Santos, Steve Womack, —, Womack, He's Organizations: GOP, Service, Arkansas Republican Locations: Arkansas

☆ The solution to smart phone addiction may not be ditching your cell but actually getting 2 of them: 'cocaine phone' and 'kale phone'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

George Mack, a newsletter writer and marketing executive, said having two phones helped him fix his phone addiction. He said one phone inspires serotonin, while the phone with social media apps is all dopamine. Mack said he now has two phones: a "cocaine phone" and a "kale phone." His cocaine phone, on the other hand, is "full stack dopamine" — the brain chemical associated with motivation and rewards. Mack's cocaine phone has the time-killing apps you'd expect: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, and allows anyone to call.

Persons: George Mack, Mack, he's, Mack's, you've Organizations: Cleveland Clinic

☆ VidCon 2023 showed how much the line between creator and fan has blurred. Here are 6 top takeaways from the annual creator industry conference.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

VidCon, the conference for creators, professionals, and fans returned this year in Anaheim, CA. Last week, creators and industry professionals came together at the Anaheim Convention Center for VidCon. Beyond the panels, parties, and meet-and-greets, the real magic of VidCon was happening offsite, at nearby restaurants and bars where brands, agencies, and startups hosted exclusive invite-only mixers. At this year's VidCon, the divide between creator and fan faded, and many attendees identified with both. Snapping a photo with a successful creator became less valuable than actual time spent learning the secrets to their success.

Persons: Colin, Samir, Amber Tarshis, Instagram Organizations: YouTube, Cannes Lions, Anaheim Convention, VidCon Locations: Anaheim , CA, Anaheim

In an email to staff, its president said the "rise of short-form video" has sparked new challenges. A new round of layoffs at creator startup Jellysmack shows how much short-form video apps like TikTok have disrupted the creator-advertising ecosystem in just a few years. Jellysmack initially grew its business by helping creators repurpose YouTube videos on other ad-supported platforms like Facebook and Snapchat. Last January, it announced it had set aside $500 million to buy rights to older YouTube videos with the goal of making a profit from future ad earnings. It separately runs a creator-finance division called JellyFi, a program to help celebrities become digital content creators, and a division called JellySmash Productions that helps creators make and distribute content speedily.

☆ Creator startup Jellysmack has laid off staffers in the US and France. Here's the email its president sent to employees detailing the reasons behind the cuts.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Amanda Perelli | Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Creator economy startup Jellysmack laid off staffers in the US and France on Thursday. The creator economy startup Jellysmack on Thursday laid off staffers in the US and France as part of a larger company restructuring, Insider has confirmed. This news comes shortly after the creator economy startup began hiring for a new M&A leader to help integrate companies that it buys. Jellysmack has had several rounds of layoffs in the last year, and laid of staffers in France in February, as The Information reported. Jellysmack go-to-market 2.0Jellysmack's mission has been to help creators go bigger, by bringing them products, services, and infrastructure that helps them grow.

Under his leadership, Morgan Stanley became a wealth management powerhouse that aims to manage $10 trillion in assets. Morgan Stanley bought money manager Eaton Vance, online broker E*Trade, and stock-plan manager Solium Capital under Gorman's leadership. He was also the key architect behind Morgan Stanley's purchase of Smith Barney, a brokerage and investment adviser, in 2009. The acquisitions have made Morgan Stanley's U.S. wealth business an "asset gathering monster," and a "killer machine," he said on an earnings conference call last month. "This structure will ensure the continued stability of Morgan Stanley, while at the same time positioning it for a decade of exciting growth under new leadership."

☆ The dollar is at 'real risk' as the political deadlock over the US debt ceiling undermines investor confidence, Goldman Sachs' Beth Hammack says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Zinya Salfiti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The political deadlock over the US debt ceiling poses a 'real risk' to the dollar, according to Goldman Sachs' Beth Hammack. "There is real risk to the US dollar as we leave this in a more protracted state of negotiations," she told Bloomberg TV. The stalemate over the borrowing limit has heightened concerns that the US could end up defaulting on its debt. "And so I think that's really confusing - I think there is real risk to the US dollar as we leave this in a more protracted state of negotiations." Lawmakers have been sparring over the debt limit, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently proposing a bill that would lift the borrowing limit by $1.5 trillion while cutting spending by $4.5 trillion.

☆ Jellysmack is hiring a new M&A leader as it eyes acquisitions in the 'near future'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Creator company Jellysmack is hiring a new M&A lead to help integrate companies that it buys. Jellysmack said it's interested in M&A and could be "acquisitive in the near future." Creator startup Jellysmack is hiring a new executive to lead its M&A integration practice as the company looks to diversify its business and grow its content portfolio, a company spokesperson confirmed to Insider. "Jellysmack remains interested in the M&A market and could be acquisitive in the near future," the spokesperson said. "The VP, PMI role we are hiring for will ensure the integration of any acquisitions are successful."

☆ France still on track for home World Cup despite losing Six Nations title
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, March 19 (Reuters) - France surrendered their Six Nations title on Saturday but over the last four years they have rediscovered their brilliance and less than six months before hosting the World Cup Les Bleus know they have a credible shot at claiming the crown. "We started the tournament in unremarkable fashion," said Galthie as he drew his conclusions on his fourth Six Nations in charge of France. "We're the best attack of the tournament," said Galthie, whose team have not finished below second place in the Six Nations in four editions. I don't know if we're the team to beat (for the World Cup), but I certainly hope that the other teams fear us." "We gave Wales a couple of soft tries so we need to be more consistent and more rigorous for 80 minutes."

☆ Creator startup Jellysmack is investing $25 million in the video catalogs of kids and family influencers in partnership with Pocket.watch
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Creator startup Jellysmack is setting aside $25 million to invest in kids and family influencers. The company is partnering with entertainment startup Pocket.watch to launch the fund. Creator startup Jellysmack is betting on kids and family influencers by setting aside $25 million to finance top stars. The company is partnering with entertainment startup Pocket.watch — a studio that works with popular kids and family entertainment franchises like Ryan's World and Love, Diana — to invest in creators' YouTube back catalogs. Jellysmack it isn't the only creator startup betting on individual influencers as investments.

☆ AGI's 'big brass ring,' artificial general intelligence, will be worth trillions, ex-Meta executive predicts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ex-Meta exec John Carmack predicts that AI will soon simulate the human brain, per Dallas Innovates. He said that "artificial general intelligence" will be achieved by the 2030s and be worth trillions. Carmack's comments come as ChatGPT and generative AI tools have begun to show AI's capabilities. The ex-Meta executive and virtual reality visionary said that artificial general intelligence or AGI is AI's "big brass ring" and will become a trillion-dollar industry by the 2030s. Tools like deep fakes, chatbots, and voice synthesis already provide a glimpse into what artificial general intelligence can do, Carmack said.

☆ Penn's sports betting business posts head-turning fourth quarter profit
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Contessa Brewer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Penn Entertainment on Thursday became the first U.S. gambling company to post a profit in its sports betting business during the final three months of a year. Usually, it's tougher to turn a sportsbook profit during the third and fourth quarters because companies spend more on marketing and promotions during football season. Penn's interactive business, which also includes online casino games, made a $5.2 million profit on $208 million in revenue during the fourth quarter of 2022. Caesars also took a hit from Mattress Mack's baseball bet, which blocked its own ability to turn a profit in sports betting in the fourth quarter, according to results pre-released as a result of a debt refinancing. Still shares declined Thursday, after CEO Jay Snowden, on an earnings call, blamed overall lackluster fourth quarter earnings on bad weather in December.

☆ I didn't really understand the healthcare disparities for Black women. Then my cousin died while delivering her daughter.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Mykesha Mack's cousin April Valentine died on January 10. April had chosen Centinela Hospital in part because she could be under the care of a Black doctor. My cousin just died." When I got up to the maternity floor, April's fiancé walked toward me, but I brushed him aside. April's fiancé, mom, and sister are all looking after the baby, spreading the load as they navigate their grief.

☆ Facebook lost several notable leaders in 2022, from Sheryl Sandberg to John Carmack, with more changes likely to come
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

As Facebook began 2022 with a quiet reorganization, several executives and well-known leaders left the company. Along with executives leaving the company, Meta also laid off 11,000 employees, with even more cuts possible in the coming weeks. Sheryl SandbergSheryl Sandberg Facebook COO. Maria Angelidou-SmithAngelidou-Smith joined Meta in 2014 and spent five years as head of monetization for the Facebook app. When the company began to quietly reorganize and plan for layoffs in late summer, the Facebook app was not immune.

☆ In scathing exit memo, Meta VR expert John Carmack derides the company's bureaucracy: 'I have never been able to kill stupid things before they cause damage.'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Ashley Stewart | Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

John Carmack, the consulting CTO for Meta's virtual-reality efforts, announced his exit in an internal memo. Carmack joined Oculus in 2013 before Facebook acquired it, and moved to a new consulting role at Oculus in 2019. John Carmack, the consulting CTO for Meta's virtual-reality efforts, announced plans to leave the company Friday in an internal memo viewed by Insider. The scathing note, posted to the company's internal Workplace forum, openly criticized Meta's AR and VR work, core to its metaverse ambitions. "We have a ridiculous amount of people and resources, but we constantly self-sabotage and squander effort," Carmack wrote in the memo.

☆ John Carmack, the consulting CTO for Meta's virtual-reality efforts, is leaving. 'I wearied of the fight'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Ashley Stewart | Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Carmack joined Oculus in 2013 as CTO, prior to its acquisition by Facebook. John Carmack, the consulting CTO for Meta's virtual-reality efforts, is leaving, according to two people familiar with the company. Overall, Carmack said he simply "wearied of the fight" with Meta, formerly known as Facebook, which acquired Oculus in 2014. Despite being one of the best known and more popular VR headsets on the market, Meta changed the name of the brand last year to Meta Quest. During Meta's developer conference in October, Carmack hosted a solo hour-long talk about the company's Oculus or Quest headset.

☆ California megachurch elder and her parents charged with murder, torture of adopted 11-year-old daughter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

An ordained elder at a California megachurch was arrested along with her parents in connection to the death of her 11-year-old adopted daughter. Arabella McCormack. San Diego Sheriff's Dept. Leticia McCormack was an ordained elder at The Rock Church, an evangelical megachurch in San Diego. A church spokesperson said Thursday that she was not on staff and operated in a volunteer capacity to help with various ministry tasks.

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