The Real Story Behind Alex Clark's Exit From Linus Tech Tips: Three Options, One Automotive Empire

The departure of core talent from a massive YouTube company like Linus Tech Tips (LTT) always sparks intense speculation, and no exit was more scrutinized than that of Alex Clark. As of December 2025, the full, updated story reveals that his exit was less a dramatic firing and more a strategic career choice stemming from a conflict of interest over a burgeoning side project.

The former LTT writer and pre-production specialist, known for his mechanical engineering background and penchant for "janky insanity projects," ultimately chose to leave Linus Media Group (LMG) to pursue his passion for automotive content full-time. This article delves into the three specific options LMG presented to him and his co-creator Andy Zhang, the details of their new YouTube empire, and the lasting impact of Alex's unique style on the LTT channel.

Alex Clark: A Quick Biography and Profile

Alex Clark was one of the key behind-the-scenes figures at Linus Tech Tips, playing a crucial role in shaping the content that defined the channel for years. His unique blend of technical knowledge and comedic timing made him a fan favorite, despite his primary role being off-camera.

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• Full Name: Alex Clark
• Former Role at LTT/LMG: Writer, Pre-Production Specialist, and occasional On-Screen Personality.
• Key LTT Contribution: Instrumental in writing and developing many of the channel’s most ambitious and unconventional projects, often dubbed "janky" or "insane."
• Education: Holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Memorial University, providing the technical foundation for LTT's deep-dive content.
• Current Venture: Co-Founder of the YouTube channels Zip Tie Tuning (ZTT) and Zip Tie Tech, alongside former LTT colleague Andy Zhang.
• Departure Date: Left Linus Media Group (LMG) in a planned separation to pursue his independent channels.

The Three Options: Why Alex Clark Was 'Fired' from LTT

The narrative that Alex Clark was simply "fired" is technically true but lacks the crucial context that makes the story so unique. In reality, his departure was the result of a deliberate choice between three options presented by Linus Media Group (LMG) regarding his side channel, Zip Tie Tuning, which had begun to gain significant traction.

The side project, co-founded with fellow LTT employee Andy Zhang, focused on automotive content, specifically car modifications, tuning, and repair. As the channel grew, it created a potential conflict of interest with LMG, prompting the company to intervene. Alex Clark himself later disclosed the three choices he and Andy were given:

Option 1: Cease and Desist the Side Project

The first choice was the simplest for LMG: completely shut down the Zip Tie Tuning channel. This would eliminate the conflict of interest and allow Alex and Andy to continue their roles as writers and production staff at LTT. For dedicated fans of Alex's automotive passion, this would have been a major disappointment, as it would have meant the end of the ZTT experiment.

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Option 2: Integrate ZTT into Linus Media Group

The second option was for LMG to acquire Zip Tie Tuning. Under this scenario, Alex would hand the channel over to Linus Media Group and transition into the role of the channel manager. This would have brought ZTT under the LMG umbrella, similar to other channels like TechQuickie or ShortCircuit. While this offered stability and LMG's massive resources, it would have meant sacrificing full creative and financial independence for Alex and Andy.

Option 3: Get Fired to Gain Financial Freedom

The final, and ultimately chosen, option was to be "fired" from LMG. This was a strategic move designed to benefit Alex and Andy. By being formally terminated, they were eligible to receive a severance package and unemployment benefits, providing a crucial financial safety net. This allowed them to immediately transition to working on Zip Tie Tuning full-time without the immediate pressure of generating income, ensuring a smoother launch for their new independent career path.

Alex and Andy chose Option 3, prioritizing their independent creative vision and the opportunity to build their own brand over the security of LMG employment. This decision highlights the entrepreneurial spirit that often drives successful YouTube content creators, including Linus Sebastian himself, who started his journey while working at NCIX.

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The New Empire: Zip Tie Tuning and Zip Tie Tech

Since his departure from Linus Tech Tips, Alex Clark has fully immersed himself in the world of independent content creation. His new venture, co-founded with Andy Zhang, is not just one channel but a multi-faceted media operation designed to cover both his long-standing passion for cars and his professional background in technology.

Zip Tie Tuning (ZTT): Automotive Insanity

This is Alex's primary passion project. Zip Tie Tuning is a deep dive into the world of affordable, often unconventional, car modification and repair. The channel embodies the same "janky insanity" spirit that Alex was known for at LTT, but applied to vehicles. It focuses on:

• Budget Builds: Modifying cars with minimal resources, often utilizing creative and unconventional solutions.
• DIY Repairs: Documenting complex mechanical projects, showcasing his mechanical engineering expertise.
• Car Culture: Engaging with the enthusiast community through reviews, track days, and project updates.

Zip Tie Tech: The Return to Reviews

To keep a foot in the door of the technology sector, Alex and Andy also launched Zip Tie Tech. This channel serves as a platform for tech reviews and discussions, allowing them to leverage their years of experience in the LTT ecosystem. It ensures they can continue to capitalize on the tech audience they built while at LMG, providing a more balanced content portfolio.

The creation of two separate channels—one for automotive content and one for tech reviews—is a smart strategy for topical authority, ensuring each channel can rank highly for its specific niche without confusing the audience. The success of both channels demonstrates that Alex Clark’s appeal was not solely tied to the LTT brand but to his unique personality and technical storytelling ability.

The Legacy of Alex Clark at LTT

Alex Clark’s tenure at Linus Tech Tips left an indelible mark on the channel’s content and style. He was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what a "tech review" could be, often pitching and writing the most memorable, bizarre, and technically challenging videos. His mechanical engineering background brought a level of rigor and expertise to projects that required hands-on modification and deep technical understanding.

His departure, along with that of other long-time staff, was part of a broader period of transition for Linus Media Group. As LMG grew into a massive, 120-person company, the internal dynamics changed, leading several core members to seek new opportunities or a return to smaller, more creatively focused environments.

Today, Alex Clark’s story is a compelling example of an employee successfully transitioning from a key behind-the-scenes role at a major media company to becoming an independent content creator. By strategically choosing the "fired" option, he secured the financial runway needed to launch Zip Tie Tuning and Zip Tie Tech, proving that the risk was well worth the reward. Fans of his technical acumen and quirky style can now follow his journey across two thriving, independent YouTube channels.