PRIME Example: What Big Brands Can Learn from Logan Paul and KSI’s Rise (and Stumble)
What do you get when two social media juggernauts turn their internet fame into a billion-dollar beverage brand? You get Prime—the viral hydration drink that had 10-year-olds whispering “got any?” at gas stations like it was contraband.
In our latest Ever Wonder webinar, we unpacked the hype machine behind Prime and the blind spots that followed its rocket-ship rise. From wild demand and celebrity endorsements to lawsuits and falling sales, it’s a story of what happens when branding brilliance isn’t backed by long-term brand strategy.
Here’s the short version of what went down:
The Launch: In January 2022, Logan Paul and KSI joined forces with Congo Brands to drop Prime Hydration on Instagram Live. It was instant chaos—bottles sold out, resale prices soared, and kids started treating the drinks like collectibles.
The Hype Worked… At First: By the end of 2022, Prime hit $250 million in sales. Less than a year later? $1.2 billion. That’s billion with a B. They partnered with everyone from the UFC to Arsenal to Patrick Mahomes.
But Cracks Started to Show: Lawsuits, health concerns, bans in schools, and mounting backlash around caffeine content and chemical safety started to shake the foundation. And unlike the flashy launch, there was no clear crisis response plan.
Sales Slid, Fast: In the UK alone, Prime’s revenue dropped by 50% in early 2024. Shelves that once couldn’t stay stocked are now holding clearance-bin Prime bottles no one wants.
So… is Prime a success or failure?
Our answer: it depends on your definition of success. Prime showed the power of personal branding, social media mastery, and the speed at which influence can translate into dollars. But it also showed the danger of skipping the long game: real R&D, product credibility, and knowing who’s actually buying your product (hint: parents, not just kids).
In the second half of the webinar, we broke down five of the most common brand blind spots—and how to catch them before they derail your growth.
- Are you investing in credibility or just attention?
- Do you actually know who your real buyer is?
- Are you nurturing your biggest fans (your brand evangelists)?
- Are you prepared for a PR crisis—or winging it?
- And most importantly: are you still validating your product-market fit?
Plus, we shared lessons from other brands that hit the wall—like FreshPet’s mold-gate and JSX’s private jet disruption—and how they recovered through transparency, smart strategy, and deep customer understanding.
👉 Curious what your brand might be overlooking? Watch the full webinar above!
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