💪 MrBeast is King Again

Today’s newsletter is 439 words - a 2-minute read (4-minute if you take your time…🐌)

Welcome back everyone!

Excited to have you join us: We’re Chris & Nolan (@chrisnolansf), and welcome to SF Whisper - a newsletter covering the most interesting business and local news of San Francisco.

As always: if you were forwarded this email or are new to the Whisperers community, click here to subscribe. Got a news tip or an idea for us? Just reply to this email 🙂 

Anyways. Let’s get started -

MrBeast's Strategic Expansion with New Leadership

High Ambitions with Jeffrey Housenbold

MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has appointed Jeffrey Housenbold, a former SoftBank Vision Fund managing partner, as COO and president of Beast Industries, reflecting high ambitions for his business empire. Housenbold’s background suggests potential public offerings for individual businesses or the entire holding company, including ventures like Feastables and new media projects.

Strengthening Management and Business Ventures

Recent management changes include Alexandre Zigliara as CEO of Feastables and ongoing strategic hires. MrBeast's diverse portfolio spans chocolate bars, streaming services, and a record-breaking YouTube channel with 271 million subscribers. This expansion aims to build a media and consumer product company with a positive global impact.

Stanford’s Quick Response to the Student Protest

Campus Chaos

Stanford University police arrested 13 pro-Palestinian protesters on Wednesday after they occupied the president’s office, causing extensive damage and injuring an officer. The building was defaced with graffiti, including swear words and death threats against police, America, and Israel.

Swift Response

University officials wasted no time dismantling a pro-Palestinian encampment at White Plaza, which had been up since April. Tents and an adjacent pro-Israel display were removed. “We are appalled and deeply saddened by the actions that occurred on our campus earlier today,” wrote President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez in an open letter.

Suspensions and Statements

Students involved in the protest will face suspensions, and seniors will not be allowed to graduate. The protesters had demanded Stanford address its role in the Gaza conflict. The group disavowed responsibility for the graffiti, despite the vandalism.

Stanford Open Letter

Catch up on the latest:

• Databricks buying Tabular for $1 billion (Link)

• Twelve Labs, an SF-based AI company focused on video understanding, raised $50m in Series A funding. NEA and NVentures co-led (Link)

Today’s whisper:

^{If you haven’t been using chatGPT 4o yet, you need to try out a subscription. We’ve been using it with Airpods while walking to work, gym sessions, and more, and it’s already better than most traditional EAs making close to 6-figures in the City. Give it a try and let us know what you think!}