The Best Entertainment Era

After the completion of Netflix's shareholding change, Mark Randolph did not return to San Francisco, but stayed in Los Angeles because he received a call that Ronan Anderson, the new owner of Netflix, wanted to talk to him.

He has a stronger attachment to Netflix, the company he founded and grew, than Reed Hastings did.

Although Mark Randolph is actually Reed Hastings' wage earner at Netflix, it does not prevent him from devoting all his enthusiasm to this company.

After Reed Hastings completed the deal with Relativity Entertainment, he once made it clear to Mark Randolph that the future of Netflix has nothing to do with him, but Mark Randolph could not be so open-minded. The position of the operating officer wants to determine how Netflix will develop in the future.

And the best way to determine it undoubtedly comes from Ronan Anderson, the boss of Relativity Entertainment.

Therefore, after receiving a call from the special assistant to the president of Relativity Entertainment, Mark Randolph answered without hesitation.

It was still the Burbank business club. Mark Randolph came to the front hall earlier than the appointed time, but he couldn’t sit down at all. He stood and waited on the side of the front hall. When he was really restless, he could only walk back and forth. ease.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, I finally saw Ronan walk into the gate of the business club.

Hello, Mr. Anderson. Mark Randolph greeted him proactively.

Ronan shook hands with him: Nice to meet you, Mr. Randolph. He smiled and said: This is a private meeting, please call me Ronan.

Mark Randolph was a little surprised by Ronan's amiable attitude.

Ronan made a gesture of invitation: Let's go to the reception room to chat.

Okay. Mark Randolph followed Ronan into a reception room.

Ronan asked someone to deliver coffee, and after the waiter left, he said to Mark Randolph, I'm asking you to meet this time because I want to talk to you about Netflix.

Mark Randolph has been in business for many years, and he didn't go around in circles. He said directly: I stayed in Los Angeles instead of returning to San Francisco. I also wanted to talk to you about Netflix.

Ronan smiled: It seems that we have found something in common.

Mark Randolph returned a polite smile,

Said: Mr. Anderson, after you complete the acquisition of Netflix, you will definitely reorganize the management of Netflix, but I am still the chief operating officer of Netflix. I want to ask, what is your opinion on Netflix? Any plans?

Ronan simply said: Continue to develop according to Netflix's established goals. Netflix's film and television Internet rental model has great potential, and there is no limit to future development.

What... what? Mark Randolph was really surprised. Fortunately, after a long time in the mall, his expression and movements were still calm: This... is this true?

From the first contact to the final negotiation and agreement, for such a long time, the other party did not say so, and has been secretly belittling Netflix's business model.

Now that the overall situation has been decided, there is no need for Ronan to talk nonsense, and said calmly: Of course it is true. If I am not optimistic about Netflix's future, how could I buy Netflix.

After all, Mark Randolph was not a brat. He took a deep breath, and his mind gradually became clear. Just like Reed's boastful words, what Ronan Anderson said during the negotiation may not have much truth at all.

Strategic fraud in negotiations is a common practice in business.

Continue to the Netflix model? Mark Randolph asked again: Continue to develop the online film and television rental business?

Ronan replied without any hesitation: Yes. Relativity Entertainment will have more capital investment, more content and channel support. Relativity Entertainment is a Hollywood film company, and Relativity Entertainment will come forward. Netflix urgently needs the rental content, will be largely resolved.”

Mark Randolph believes this, industry barriers are real, as long as Relativity Entertainment does it.

Ronan continued: In terms of funds, Relativity Entertainment will fully support Netflix. I dare not say more, but there is no problem in investing 100 million US dollars in the next year.

Mark Randolph asked again: You didn't think about turning Netflix into a division of Relativity Entertainment or Embassy Pictures.

Ronan said seriously: Never considered it. He further said: In Hollywood, as a producer and owner of a film company, I have deeply studied the emerging film and television DVD industry. In terms of the situation, an explosive period will begin quickly.”

When did this explosive period start? Mark Randolph was very concerned.

While observing Mark Randolph calmly, Ronan said, Next year! I have communicated with many professionals in the Hollywood industry, and Relativity Entertainment has also collected a lot of data based on its own DVD distribution channels. I have come to a conclusion that next year North America’s film and DVD revenue will at least double this year.”

This statement is well-founded. By the end of this year, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring will be released successively. Next summer, there will be a live-action movie of Spider-Man. These are all past life DVD sales and leases. of super giants.

Spider-Man even created an unprecedented myth that the sales of DVDs exceeded 100 million in one week after its launch.

Ronan simply said: Hollywood executives have a consensus on this. Next year, the sales of DVD players in North America may exceed 8 million units, and the sales of film and television discs will reach 35 million. The disc rental market has always been bigger than the sales market. big.

Mark Randolph is also thinking, if what Ronan said is true, it means that from next year, Netflix will have a broader potential market development space, and it is very likely to make the cake even bigger.

Ronan added: You, a professional, know better about the development prospects of online leasing than I do. I have always recognized your ideas, plans and goals.

Mark Randolph still couldn't hold back: But before today, I never felt this.

Ronan didn't mind either: Actually, as early as 1998, when I first met Mr. Hastings and heard him talk about Netflix's model, I paid attention to Netflix.

1998? Mark Randolph suddenly realized something.

Ronan said softly: Since then, I have an understanding that the model operated by Netflix may one day replace Blockbuster. Therefore, I have been paying attention to Netflix in the past few years to determine the value of this model. Is there really a future?

Mark Randolph fully understood: This acquisition you have planned for a long time...

That's right. Ronan did not deny that this was not a show off by the winner, but had other purposes: After more than two years of investigation, I finally determined that Netflix's business is promising, and it also fits some of my ideas. Development plan, so there is this acquisition.

Mark Randolph took a deep look at Ronan. The other party was so patient and thoughtful that he didn't look like a young man in his twenties at all.

Mr. Anderson, I don't understand. Mark Randolph couldn't help asking, Why did you say this to me?

Ronan smiled and said: I want Mr. Randolph to stay at Netflix, maintain the continuity of Netflix's operations, and witness the brilliant future of the film and television online rental industry with Netflix.

Mark Randolph was quite surprised and asked specifically: Why me? Not Reed?

You participated in the whole negotiation. You should know that I tried to retain Mr. Hastings in another way, but he refused without hesitation. Ronan said the truth: You and Mr. Hastings are Friends, you should know that there is no way for him to stay at Netflix.

Of course Mark Randolph knew Reed Hastings, how could Reed stay and work for Relativity Entertainment?

So, I'm Reed's stand-in? Mark Randolph asked deliberately.

Ronan said calmly: No, my CEO's choice is always you. Even if Reed Hastings stays at Netflix, you are still the CEO's first choice.

Mark Randolph was Netflix's CEO until Reed Hastings stepped in with an absolute controlling stake in Netflix's business.

Without waiting for Mark Randolph to react, Ronan explained: I just said that I have been following Netflix for several years, and I have enough knowledge about Netflix's situation. The real creator of Netflix and The operator is always you, not Reed-Hastings. From website architecture, to building mail routes, to building warehouses, etc., you are always the one who leads the team to complete these tasks.”

Mark Randolph was silent. Even if he had a good relationship with Reed Hastings, he still had considerable opinions about Reed's dismantling of his team in the company.

But for the sake of Netflix, which has devoted countless efforts, and for the friendship between the two, he has never said anything for more than a year.

Saying nothing doesn't mean agreeing.

Ronan would not be so stupid as to provoke the relationship between Mark Randolph and Reed Hastings, and instead said: Mr. Randolph, I formally invite you to serve as Nai Flying company's CEO position.

I... Mark Randolph didn't know whether to refuse for a while, but agreed.

Ronan continued: Relativity Entertainment has completed the acquisition of Netflix. After that, except for the highest power structure, Netflix will not make major adjustments. I hope that Netflix's existing policies and goals can continue to be implemented. The change can also achieve a smooth transition.”

He is full of sincerity: Mr. Randolph, my goals and plans for Netflix are not in any conflict with you and the Netflix team. We can cooperate wholeheartedly to overthrow Blockbuster and Hollywood Audition and other companies, and create a new era for the film and television rental industry. Bring revolutionary development!

Mark Randolph kept thinking about it and didn't answer.

Ronan said enough was enough: Mr. Randolph, please seriously consider my suggestion.

Mark Randolph was his first choice, but not his only one.

Mr. Anderson. Mark Randolph said slowly, Please allow me to think about it for a few days.