YouTube Star Markiplier Buys 8.5% Stake in GoPro, Stock Surges

GoPro's stock experienced a significant rise after it was revealed that YouTube creator Mark Fischbach, widely known as Markiplier, has purchased an 8.5% stake in the action-camera maker. The shares, which had been trading at around 60 cents for much of August and faced delisting concerns, saw an increase of nearly 80% at one point on Tuesday, injecting renewed optimism among investors.

Fischbach, who commands a substantial following of 38.9 million subscribers on YouTube, told Bloomberg that he viewed GoPro's stock as undervalued. He expressed a desire for the company's success, a sentiment that has drawn comparisons to the 2021 GameStop situation where individual investor actions heavily influenced the stock price.

The involvement of GoPro's cameras in the production of Fischbach's recent film, "Iron Lung," played a role in his increased interest. After using GoPro equipment for behind-the-scenes footage, Fischbach became interested in the company's "cinema camera" offerings. This led to him approaching the company and subsequently acquiring a significant shareholding, making him GoPro's largest individual shareholder.

Fischbach, who started his YouTube career in 2012, has diversified his ventures, including directing the successful film "Iron Lung." His ability to mobilize his audience and achieve commercial success in different entertainment sectors has been evident, now extending to his role as a major shareholder in GoPro.