Ask Gen Alpha or Gen-Z about YouTuber Ryan Trahan, and they probably know who he is. With over 21 million subscribers on YouTube, this family-friendly creator is taking a cross-country road trip with his wife, Haley Pham. These two young 20-somethings have charmed their audiences with their newlywed cuteness, keeping it G-rated, and even showcasing healthy lifestyle choices – all in the name of fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This level of cuteness and kindness will give a wholesome new definition of “Influencers.”
Ryan and Haley’s excitement for the simple things, combined with the very relatable moments of doing grown-up tasks but still needing to call your parents to ask for help, adds that lovable quality of a couple that will make you want to root for.
The family-friendly journey is on YouTube now. I recommend Ryan’s channel (and especially this series) for anyone older than Baby Shark, but it might be a little too young for Kai Cenat or Mr. Beast. The initial goal of the adventure was to raise $1 million for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Trahan the Candy Man
Adding to the wholesomeness of Ryan’s good character and business decisions is his candy brand, Joyride. It has been very popular and is distributed across the country in Target, Kroger, and numerous other retailers. Not only is Ryan Trahan’s YouTube channel great for everyone to watch together, but his candy brand appeals to both parents and kids alike – less sugar, but still candy.
A Big Risk and Bigger Reward for Marketing Strategy – If Done Correctly
The original goal for the 50 days was to raise $1 million, but thanks to the support of brands, companies, and individuals, they ultimately raised over $11 million by the end of the 50 days. The donations came in at an impressive speed, becoming somewhat of a friendly competition among YouTubers. Mr. Beast was one of the first big donors, who donated $50,000, followed shortly thereafter by friend and fellow YouTuber Mark Rober, who donated $50,001. The full leaderboard of donors can be seen here.
This entire 50 States in 50 Days series is a refreshing example of how partnerships with influencers can make a huge difference in any marketing campaign, and choosing the right one should be a careful decision that any brand should weigh heavily to achieve a high return on investment. For example, the company Letric eBikes showed up at one of their Airbnbs with an e-bike and a commitment to donate $10,000 for each day that Ryan rides the bike in a different state. This is a nearly impossible feat and deserves to be studied, considering brands will pay upwards of $8 million for a 30-second ad during the Super Bowl.
Final Thoughts
This channel offers brand-safe, family-friendly content with strong audience engagement and significant growth potential, making it suitable for marketers targeting a broad and diverse demographic, particularly young teens who depend on their parents’ discretionary spending.
The 50 States in 50 Days event has been a great proof of concept for the priorities of consumers today. It seems that content focusing on realistically unattainable luxury is no longer as important as it once was. Instead of scripted content, Ryan and Haley embrace the simple with regular life imperfections. Ryan Trahan inspires kids all over the world to do the right thing, to not be afraid to be silly, and to know that whatever life throws your way, there is a way to solve it.
The most important lesson from this series? Teach your Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha kids to read one of those old-school paper maps.
