The Dizzying Rise of Dhar Mann

In early June, I pulled up to a giant lot in Burbank, Calif. about four miles down the road from Warner Brothers Studios, where “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory” were filmed. I was there to tour the set and offices where YouTuber Dhar Mann runs a growing entertainment empire.

Mann, who leases the 125,000 square foot production studio, part of which was once the site of a gym, is suddenly everywhere. Over the past six months or so, I’ve seen him speak at industry conferences, receive awards, get a spotlight on YouTube’s blog, and claim a spot on Forbes’ top creator list due to his estimated $56 million in annual earnings. Mann’s public relations blitz coincides with an aggressive expansion of his business.