YouTubers Who Crossed Into Advertising

For years, the line between "YouTuber" and "celebrity" was a distinct one. YouTubers lived on our phones and laptops, creating content in their bedrooms, while "real" celebrities starred in Super Bowl commercials and walked the red carpets of Paris Fashion Week. But that line has not only blurred—it has disappeared entirely.

Today, the biggest creators on YouTube are not just making content for the platform; they are the faces of multi-million dollar ad campaigns, collaborators with luxury fashion houses, and the owners of products sold in every Walmart across America. They have crossed over. Here are four YouTubers who have successfully made the leap from digital creators to mainstream advertising icons.

1. MrBeast: From YouTube Stunts to Super Bowl Spots

No discussion of YouTubers crossing into advertising can begin without Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast. He is the undisputed king of the platform, and his ambition has always extended far beyond its borders. His foray into advertising is a two-pronged attack: promoting his own products and starring in campaigns for other major brands.

First, there is Feastables. MrBeast didn't just create a chocolate bar; he created a media empire around it. His YouTube channel, with its hundreds of millions of subscribers, became the primary marketing engine for the brand. But he didn't stop there. He took Feastables to the biggest stage of all: the Super Bowl. His commercials for the candy brand are a perfect translation of his YouTube style to the 30-second format: high-energy, visually chaotic, and built around a simple, compelling idea (like a massive giveaway or a challenge). It was a YouTuber declaring that his product deserved a spot alongside the Budweisers and Doritos of the world.

Watch MrBeast's foray into television advertising:

MrBeast Feastables Super Bowl Commercial:

Watch YouTube video

But MrBeast's crossover doesn't end with his own brands. In a fascinating development for the 2026 Super Bowl, he also starred in a commercial for the cloud-based software giant Salesforce. This partnership is a significant milestone. It shows that major, traditional B2B companies now see YouTubers not just as influencers, but as legitimate celebrities who can bring attention and a sense of modern cool to their campaigns. MrBeast's massive, cross-generational appeal makes him a valuable asset for any brand looking to break through the clutter.

See the unexpected collaboration:

Salesforce x MrBeast Super Bowl 2026 Commercial:

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2. Emma Chamberlain: The Queen of Relatability Conquers Luxury Fashion

If MrBeast represents the loud, explosive side of YouTube, Emma Chamberlain represents the quiet, influential, and deeply personal side. She rose to fame with her uniquely edited vlogs, her relatable sense of humor, and an unshakeable sense of personal style. And that style caught the attention of the ultimate arbiter of high fashion: Louis Vuitton.

Emma Chamberlain's crossover into the world of luxury advertising is one of the most fascinating success stories of the influencer era. She wasn't just invited to sit in the front row at Louis Vuitton fashion shows; she became the face of their campaigns. Her partnership with the house is a perfect match. She brings a youthful, digital-native energy to a brand that is synonymous with heritage and craftsmanship. She makes Louis Vuitton feel accessible and relevant to a generation that might otherwise find it intimidating.

Her appearances in Louis Vuitton campaigns, from footwear to ready-to-wear, are a testament to her unique appeal. She isn't a traditional model, and that's the point. She represents a new kind of luxury—one that is authentic, individual, and deeply connected to contemporary culture. She proved that the path from a teenage girl filming in her bedroom to the runways of Paris is not as long as it once seemed.

Watch Emma Chamberlain's work with Louis Vuitton:

Emma Chamberlain at the Louis Vuitton Show:

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Louis Vuitton Footwear Campaign with Emma Chamberlain:

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3. Ryan Kaji (Ryan's World): From Toy Reviews to a Retail Empire

Ryan Kaji is the original example of a YouTuber becoming a full-blown brand. His channel, Ryan's World, started as a simple, adorable kid reviewing toys. It quickly became a global phenomenon, racking up billions of views and making him one of the highest-paid YouTubers in the world, year after year.

But Ryan's crossover into advertising and retail is on a scale that rivals any traditional media franchise. He didn't just review toys; he created his own. The Ryan's World brand now includes a massive line of toys, clothing, and other products sold exclusively at Walmart. The genius of this partnership is the full-circle moment it creates. Ryan's audience watches him play with toys on YouTube, and then they can go to the largest retailer in the world and buy the very same products, officially licensed with his name and image.

The content itself often blurs the line between organic video and advertising. Videos like "Ryan Toy Hunt for his own toys Ryan's World at Walmart!!!" are both entertaining for his young fans and incredibly effective product placement. They show Ryan experiencing genuine joy at seeing his own creations on store shelves, a feeling that is infectious and aspirational for his audience. Ryan Kaji didn't just cross over into advertising; he built a self-sustaining ecosystem where his YouTube channel, his retail products, and his TV commercials all feed into each other.

See the Ryan's World phenomenon:

Ryan Toy Hunt for his own toys at Walmart:

Watch YouTube video
Ryan Reacts to His New Walmart Playroom:

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4. Marques Brownlee (MKBHD): The Trusted Voice for Tech and Luxury

Marques Brownlee, known to millions as MKBHD, has built his career on a foundation of trust, expertise, and meticulous, high-quality tech reviews. When he speaks, the tech world listens. This makes him an incredibly valuable partner for brands, especially those trying to break into new and competitive markets.

His collaboration with Porsche is a perfect example. When Porsche launched its first all-electric sedan, the Taycan, they needed to convince a skeptical audience that an electric car could deliver the performance and driving experience expected from the legendary brand. Who better to validate that claim than the most trusted tech reviewer on the planet?

Marques's video, "Porsche Taycan Turbo: I Almost Switched!," is not a traditional, polished commercial. It's an MKBHD review—in-depth, honest, and technical. But its impact as an advertisement is undeniable. By featuring the car on his channel, giving it his signature thorough analysis, and ultimately praising its performance, Marques provided Porsche with something money can't easily buy: credibility. His endorsement carries the weight of his entire decade-long career. He crossed over not by starring in a TV spot, but by making the brand a part of his trusted content.

Watch Marques's influential review:

MKBHD Analyzes the Porsche Taycan Turbo:

Watch YouTube video

Conclusion: The New Advertising Landscape

The stories of MrBeast, Emma Chamberlain, Ryan Kaji, and Marques Brownlee illustrate a fundamental shift in the relationship between creators and brands. They are no longer just the talent hired to appear in an ad; they are partners, founders, and the most trusted voices in their respective niches.

They have proven that the skills needed to build a loyal audience on YouTube—authenticity, consistency, and a deep understanding of what people want—are the exact same skills needed to succeed in the world of mainstream advertising. They have crossed over, and they've brought their millions of fans with them.

YouTubers Who Crossed Into Advertising - Complete guide

1. MrBeast: From YouTube Stunts to Super Bowl Spots

2. Emma Chamberlain: The Queen of Relatability Conquers Luxury Fashion

3. Ryan Kaji (Ryan's World): From Toy Reviews to a Retail Empire

4. Marques Brownlee (MKBHD): The Trusted Voice for Tech and Luxury

Conclusion: The New Advertising Landscape