Nintendo of Europe was the first company to use Let's Plays as commercials.

[XanderXT]

DerNebel said:

XanderXT said:

DerNebel said:
What makes you think companies weren't using Let's Plays for marketing purposes before that?

I can't find anyone else earlier than them. And TV Tropes seems to support my claim.

Pretty sure that other companies were simply using them in other ways, sure they didn't publically call upon people to make Let's Plays but paying Youtubers for coverage has probably been a thing for years now.

Well burden of proof is on you to provide evidence of that.