We Partnered with MrBeast

Author

Carlo Palomino
January 16, 2026

Welcome to The Friday Fortune! If your calendar says “meetings” but your brain says “group chat,” you’re in the right place. Somewhere between Q1 planning decks and pretending 2026 isn’t coming that fast, marketing leaders are craving something real…less posturing, more honesty, and zero buzzwords per minute.

Each week, we bring you unfiltered conversations, smart brand moves, and the kind of marketing insight that actually makes you stop scrolling (or at least save it for later and feel productive).

A fun one this week.

We have officially partnered with the biggest digital creator in the world: Jimmy Donaldson aka MrBeast.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Beast Games Season 2: Strong vs. Smart dropped on Amazon Prime last week.

So to help Jimmy spread the word, OpenFortune launched millions of custom Beast Games branded cookies hitting tables across the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

But to capture that signature MrBeast energy, we added a layer of gamification: Less than 1% of the entire run features limited-edition, individually numbered collectibles. It's a physical memento for fans to keep as a permanent piece of the legacy.

The big takeaway here is fascinating. Jimmy saw this partnership as a way to create millions of experiences around the table in real life. It’s a powerful validation for our industry: Even the number one digital creator in the world recognizes that there is no substitute for physical connection.

It's a reminder that the best marketing still surprises, delights, and gives people a reason to talk to the person sitting next to them (and on social).

The Man Behind the Beast

While executing a campaign of this magnitude was a career high, the real editorial highlight happened off the clock. Shawn Porat and I flew out to Greenville, NC, to see the Beast Games operation firsthand.

We toured the massive complex, and Jimmy explained that he keeps production in Greenville specifically to bring economic growth to his hometown. It was immediately clear that despite the fame, his roots remain grounded.

You meet people at this level sometimes, and frankly, they often don’t give you the time of day. Jimmy was different. He didn't just invite us to see the behind-the-scenes; he invited our kids.

My son came with me, absolutely terrified to meet his hero. But Jimmy didn't just say a polite "hi" and move on to the next business matter. He spent 10+ minutes chopping it up with him about Roblox and "brainrot," making my son feel like the only person in the room. He went from a nervous wreck to feeling right at home.

It was a class act and a memory we'll never forget. Big thanks to Jimmy and the team for the incredible hospitality. They are the real deal.

Now go order some Asian food. Your fortune is waiting.

Crack open a handful of the week’s best marketing links—because good fortune favors the curious.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Friday fortune.

If you enjoyed the read, pass it along to your favorite marketer who could use a little extra inspo in their inbox.

Until next time, may your marketing be memorable and your cookies always be fortunate!

— The OpenFortune team