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Facts

Inside the battle over unpaid wages at the collapsed Irish YouTube channel Facts

Former staff have taken the business to the Workplace Relations Commission over outstanding pay.

NEARLY TWO MONTHS after the collapse of Irish-founded YouTube channel Facts, staff are still battling with the company over outstanding redundancy packages and unpaid wages.

Creative Nation, a Dublin-based firm, was the main company behind the Facts channel, which produced viral videos for platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.

The company, which was set up in 2013 by then 17-year-old Shane Corry, also acted a ‘multi-channel network’ – a talent scout of sorts that advises online video creators and so-called ‘influencers’.

In 2015, Corry led the company to a successful year, with accumulated profits at the firm increasing tenfold to €200,000.

But changes to the way YouTube distributes ad revenue to online content creators was a nail in the coffin for the firm’s once-successful business model, according to Corry.

Losses rose to around the €400,000 mark and, at the beginning of March, Corry informed all 10 staff at the company they were being made redundant.

At the time, Corry told Fora that all employees let go were “paid all previous months’ salary”, but a number of staff say they are still waiting on thousands of euro in wages nearly two months later.

One staff member was recently in front of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to highlight the fact that they hadn’t been paid. Former employees estimated that up to €80,000 is due to the 10 workers made redundant.

3889242 Shane Corry (centre) Facts Facts

When contacted by Fora at the beginning of April, Corry admitted some amounts owed to staff were still outstanding.

He said via email that the company is experiencing “some cashflow problems that have meant we have been as-of-yet unable to pay the final salary/notice/redundancy payment to employees.”

He added at the time that he was trying to raise the capital needed to pay the wages by selling the company. On 6 March, Corry said the sale of the Facts brand and social media assets would likely be completed within two weeks.

“This will likely be the quickest avenue to ex-staff being paid and negative media attention could harm our efforts to quickly finalise the transaction,” he said in his email to Fora.

WRC cases in 2017

However the latest case is not the first time the company has been called before the WRC.

Last year, several members of staff also made complaints against Creative Nation about outstanding salary payments. According to company filings, the firm’s directors are Corry and his mother, Grace Cathcart.

Current filings show that Creative Nation is owned outright by Justin Corry, Shane Corry’s father, via a holding company.

However Shane Corry has told Fora and provided a document to show that he is the beneficial owner of the firm, adding that its shares were previously held in trust as he was a minor.

Across seven different cases, video and creative production staff at the firm lodged claims in relation to unpaid wages for the month of September. Those outstanding wages were subsequently paid.

But when several of the cases where heard earlier this year, staff said that annual bonuses that were meant to be paid in December were now outstanding.

In those five cases, the commission ruled in favour of the staff, ordering the company – whose monthly revenues were then between €40,000 and €60,000 – to pay staff a combined €8,538 in compensation.

facts 1 Two non-staff contributors to Facts YouTube / Facts YouTube / Facts / Facts

Sale of the channel

When staff were told in March that they were being made redundant, they believed that the influencer consultancy part of the Creative Nation business had already been sold. The Facts social media assets and brand were not part of the deal, they understood.

At that time, wages for February were yet to be paid – and staff said they were told that wages would only be finalised once the Facts assets were also sold. A price tag in the region of €300,000 was reportedly placed on the Facts part of the business.

However Corry told Fora that the sale claims were incorrect – and that no deal had been done for any part of Creative Nation. He added that he wanted to sell the Facts brand before offloading any other assets.

The company’s YouTube channel had amassed nearly 1.4 million subscribers, while it also had more than 140,000 followers on Facebook.

Staff have told Fora that they asked Corry about acquiring the social media assets so that they could continue producing videos under the brand, however they balked at paying hundreds of thousands of euro.

At the beginning of April, Corry again told Fora that he expected the sale of the company to be completed within two weeks.

Meanwhile, one source from within the company said staff were disappointed they could not continue to work at the firm as it was being prepared for sale as the YouTube channel was still generating significant ad revenue.

They added that sale of branded merchandise, such as T-shirts, was also an option to generate funds. It is believed that a one-off sale of branded products last year generated thousands of euro in extra income.

‘Deeply regret’

Both Creative Nation directors, Corry and Cathcart, have remained in contact with staff to update them on the progress of the sale of the Facts assets.

In correspondence seen by Fora, they acknowledge that wages for February and redundancy payouts are still outstanding, adding that the company is not in a position to pay “imminently”.

The directors have repeatedly told staff since March that the sale of the company is due to happen shortly and that this would free up the funds for unpaid wages.

Cathcart told staff that the directors “deeply regret” the lack of clear communication before staff were made redundant and she offered to meet them in a café to discuss unpaid wages.

On 4 April, staff were informed that a meeting about the sale of Facts was taking place the following day and it would soon be in a position to sign off on the deal.

Several staff have informed Fora that they are still waiting on wages for February and March and redundancy payouts.

Corry told Fora that he is still in the process of selling the Facts assets to raise cash to meet outstanding liabilities such as staff payments. He did not respond directly to questions on how many months’ wages were unpaid or the total amount outstanding.

“We deeply regret the impact of our current situation on all staff previously employed by the Facts channel who have been issued final payslips and P45s.

“As a small company, we have always valued all our staff and their commitment to the business.”

Note: This article has been updated to include further information about Creative Nation’s ownership structure.

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Written by Killian Woods and posted on Fora.ie

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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:53 PM

    Should be called “I used to be a celebrity and will eat kangaroo balls to get famous again”

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    Mute Peter Lewis Jnr
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:06 PM

    @Dj: I often refer to it in a similar fashion.. “I used to be a celebrity, get me into anything!”

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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:49 PM

    @Dj: Even a past it celeb is better than the wife of a celeb. Has she no shame?

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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:32 PM

    @Sean: Who is she??..Did she get her kit off yet?

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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:29 PM

    @Dj: Some England footballers wife..

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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:29 PM

    @Dj: I’ll be a celebrity when I get out of here

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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:58 PM

    Class program.
    Unashamedly z-list celebs. Would be equally entertaining if they were all nobodies.
    Light entertainment at its best.

    Feel free to judge me!

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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:00 PM

    @Gagsy 99: agreed, it’s a good laugh.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:10 PM

    @Gagsy 99: I completely agree, haven’t a clue who any of them are and don’t care. Bit of crack to watch after everything else on television depresses you.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:55 PM

    @Gagsy 99: Agreed. I know Dennis Wise and Amir Kahn and that’s about it.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:29 PM

    @Gagsy 99: A celeb free version would be better. As long as they stay clear of the Towie types.

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    Nov 21st 2017, 1:19 AM

    @Gagsy 99: They are all nobodies

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:15 PM

    Never miss it. Don’t watch it for the ‘celebrities’ I watch if for Ant and Dec. They are brilliant and the when they dealt with Ant’s rehab was equally brilliant.

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    Mute Mel Finn
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:01 PM

    Amir khans observation as he entered the camp for the first time ” its full of trees and leaves ” what was he expecting in a jungle, glaciers maybe

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:10 PM

    @Mel Finn: he’s never watched the show before so this should be interesting.

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    Nov 21st 2017, 1:24 AM

    @Mel Finn: And toffs comment tonight as she stood by the creek, this must be where we get the water from to boil it up. Clever girl.

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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:50 PM

    Saw a few minutes of it last night,with the exception of Dennis wise,have no clue who the”celebrities”are…gone beyond z list..

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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:53 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe: Boris Johnson auld fella is probably a buffoon as well – he is bound to drag a clanger or two

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:02 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe:
    I read a Viz top-tip once :

    “ITV, increase viewer numbers by making a celebrity version of I’m a celebrity get me out of here”

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:35 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe: of course it’s going to be Z listers. ..A listers don’t need the money or the publicity…. .. I always watech it , it’s a bit of craic..

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:09 PM

    @windbag: Ant and Dec alone are worth it alone but what they put the contestants through is gas!

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    Mute Ger
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:00 PM

    I enjoy it most years. You know it’s going to be Z list celebrities but a few decent characters always emerge, like Lady C and couple of years ago who was great telly. I imagine Boris Johnsons dad will be of a similar ilk and should be good for a laugh . A few people on it this year who hardly ever rank as Z list though. One bloke who is the brother of a pop star?? And Jamie Vardys wife. Since when does being related to a celebrity count as being a celebrity?
    I’ll probably still watch it this year despite the fact that it’s a less than stellar cast.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:48 PM

    @Ger: Scarlett, Joel and Adam were so entertaining last year I hope this year can be as good.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 5:52 PM

    @Deborah Behan: yeah they were great. I’m not as hopeful with this years crowd other than Johnson but you never know.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:50 PM

    They’re celebrities? I know Dennis Wise and that boxer..

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:32 PM

    No story on the RTE groomer? Any offers ?

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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:51 PM

    I’d sooner stick my face in slurry. The most pointless program on telly.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:00 PM

    @Ben Dawkins:
    What ‘point’ would you seek from it?

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:07 PM

    @Ben Dawkins: pointless on the BBC now there’s a programme i do love

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:50 PM

    @Ben Dawkins: They would probably put you on the show to fish stars out of the slurry with your teeth.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:51 PM

    @Ben Dawkins: You realise there’s a show where you watch people watching telly right??

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:05 PM

    Stopped watching TV a couple of years ago.Total trash with a few exceptions.I don’t need to see some idiot baking a fu@king cake,someone buying a house in the country,or some d!ck prancing around on ice.The great days of quality telly are long gone.Everything now is dumbed-down TV.No thanks.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:48 PM

    @Kieran Conroy: ha ha… so true..its sh it

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:52 PM

    @Kieran Conroy: There’s more than just reality TV to be fair.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:36 PM

    @Kieran Conroy: ha! We’re actually in a golden age of television at the moment, there’s more than reality tv to watch! I love people giving out about a problem that doesn’t exist

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:55 PM

    I can’t understand having a famous person’s wife on it.. If she had a fashion label like Posh then maybe but just marrying someone doesn’t make you a celebrity. Although it does seem like she is going to be trouble so that’s what they are after.. Was too nice last year.. They wan’t a bit of drama.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:43 PM

    Them 2 are the most irritating duo ever.. and are way overrated…

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:50 PM

    @OCallaghan TP:
    By you.
    I think they’re great!

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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:57 PM

    @Gagsy 99: I’m delighted for you ..

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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:13 PM

    @OCallaghan TP:

    Thanks for the empathy!

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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:04 PM

    Arbour Hill is going to get very very full with Irish Stars….Humphries and Creaven will be able to compare notes ……if we disinter our 1916 heros there should be just enough space for The paedo stars….Fairy House how are yew?

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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:16 PM

    @Rachel Didleu:

    What an unusual post on the topic of a light entertainment show.

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:05 PM

    The cult of celebrity is enjoyable for some.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:23 PM

    I wish someone would leave those two flutes in the jungle permanently

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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:26 PM

    I’m a nobody, get me on the telly.

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    Mute WilhelminaMCallaghan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:13 PM

    No don’t have a tv nor a computer nor internet.
    My phone only work in the city but not to watch anything.
    But even if I had a tv I despise so called “reality tv” is nothing but the glorification of mediocrity. I can’t stand that . Bores me senseless when I go visit people and they are watching it I look and think why would you waste time with this .

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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:20 PM

    @WilhelminaMCallaghan:

    Maybe, just maybe, it doesn’t bore the people you visit senseless and they don’t see it as a waste of time?

    Or another theory would be that they do find it bores them senseless but as soon as they see you coming to visit they immediately stick it on because everything is relative, right?

    I’m sure it’s definitely one of those two.

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    Mute Peter Coen
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:41 PM

    Not if you paid me,would i watch that shite.

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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:51 PM

    @Peter Coen:
    Fortunately that’s not how it works.
    You can just watch it or not!

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    Mute Brian O Reilly
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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:36 PM

    Watched it briefly,there are just too many safety devices. unhitch the safety harnesses and I would gladly watch in the hope that !!!!!

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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:29 PM

    You have to be careful who you praise with all this going on

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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:28 PM

    Terribly cruel to animals, must scare the poor things. Why isnt the RSPCA not stepping up and closing this cruelty down???

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    Mute Dean Moriarity
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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:52 PM

    No, because I don’t want to end up in rehab like Ant.

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    Mute Cindy Crawford
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:51 PM

    I have no interest in ‘ celebrity ‘ based programmes. The only way you’d get me to watch it is to have Gerard Butler or Bradley Cooper naked in it. Preferably both.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:13 PM

    @Cindy Crawford: __ I don’t think they’d get away with Celebrity Homoerotic Wrestling, not even after the watershed.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:06 PM

    @Ted Murray: Pity

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    Nov 20th 2017, 9:17 PM

    Shocking stuff

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Nov 20th 2017, 5:43 PM

    Never have because its vile.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 9:26 PM

    No thanks I have a life

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    Nov 21st 2017, 7:16 AM

    No. Mindless irrelevant programming with poor genuine entertainment value.

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    Nov 20th 2017, 7:46 PM

    I’m sorry, I forgot to vote as I was so bored by the question alone

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    Mute Rob
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    Nov 20th 2017, 11:42 PM

    Don’t watch TV anymore, nothing but reality crap. Switched to Netflix and other streaming services.

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    Mute Paul Jennings
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    Nov 21st 2017, 12:13 AM

    Television goes from bad to worse. Glad I kept my videos going back 25 years or so. Even the advertisements are more interesting. Or less irritating. There was more quality with less quantity and options. No wonder you need a remote to channel hop between the “66 channels of shit on the t.v. to chose from,” as sung by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits in the early 1980s. Where is the pleasure in seeing someone being carved up on the operating table, being evicted by the bailiffs or an interview with lifers in an American penitentiary? We’re looking for escapism, not reality, or what passes for it. Three or four channels would suffice please and I don’t mind having to get up to press clunky channel controls, wait for the ‘set to warm up, adjust the horizontal/vertical hold or the contrast even.

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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Nov 21st 2017, 8:12 AM

    Appalling shite, only beaten by the mind numbing ghastly Big Brother

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    Mute John Rownano
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:14 PM

    TV for the Terminally stupid

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