Chapter 310： Chief Executive Officer

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

Compared to Reed Hastings, he has a deeper affection for Netflix, which he founded and developed.

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

After Reed Hastings completed the deal with Relativity Entertainment, he once stated to Mark Randolph that Netflix’s future has nothing to do with him, but Mark Randolph could not be so open-minded. There is still a chief at Netflix. The position of the operating officer wants to determine how Netflix will develop in the future.

The best way to determine this is undoubtedly from Ronan Anderson, the owner of Relativity Entertainment.

Therefore, after receiving a call from the special assistant of the president of Relativity Entertainment, Mark Randolph did not hesitate to respond.

It was also the Burbank Business Club. Mark Randolph arrived in the front hall earlier than the agreed time, but 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 ten minutes, he finally saw Ronan walk into the door of the business club.

"Hello, Mr. Anderson." Mark Randolph took the initiative to greet him.

Ronan shook his hand: "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Randolph." He smiled and said, "This is a private meeting. Let me call Ronan."

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

Ronan made a please gesture: "Let's go to the reception room and talk."

"Okay." Mark Randolph followed Ronan into a reception room.

Ronan asked him to serve coffee, and after the waiter left, he said to Mark Randolph: "This time I have an appointment with you about Netflix. I want to talk to you."

Mark Randolph has been in business for many years, not going in circles, and said directly: "I stay in Los Angeles, instead of returning to San Francisco, I also want to talk to you about Netflix."

Ronan smiled: "It seems we have found one thing in common."

Mark Randolph returned with a polite smile and said: "Mr. Anderson, after you complete the acquisition of Netflix, you will definitely reorganize Netflix’s management, but I am currently the COO of Netflix. I think I want to ask, do you have any plans for Netflix?"

Ronan simply said: "Continue to develop in accordance with Netflix's established goals. Netflix's film and television Internet rental model is promising, and the future development is unlimited."

"Wh...what?" Mark Randolph was really surprised. Fortunately, after a long time in the mall, his demeanor and actions were still calm: "This...is this true?"

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

Now that the overall situation is settled, Ronan doesn’t need to talk nonsense, and calmly said: “Of course it’s true. If I’m not optimistic about Netflix’s future, how could I acquire Netflix.”

After all, Mark Randolph is not a hairy boy. He took a deep breath and his head gradually became clear. Just like Reid's self-proclaimed boast, there is not much truth in what Ronan Anderson said during the negotiation.

Strategic fraud during negotiation is a common situation in business.

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

Ronan did not hesitate and replied: "Yes. Relativity Entertainment will have more capital investment, more content and channel support. Relativity Entertainment is a Hollywood film company, and Relativity Entertainment has come forward, and Netflix is ​​in short supply for rental. The content will be resolved to a large extent."

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

Ronan continued: "In terms of funding, Relativity Entertainment will fully support Netflix. I can't say if it is too much, but there is no problem with investing 100 million US dollars in the next year.

Mark Randolph asked again: "You never thought of turning Netflix into a department 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 studied the emerging film and television DVD industry in depth. In the situation, an outbreak period quickly began."

"When did this outbreak period begin?" Mark Randolph was very concerned.

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

This statement is valid. At the end of this year, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings" will be released one after another. Next summer there will be a live-action movie of "Spider-Man". These are all previous life DVD sales and leases. Super big family.

"Spider-Man" is an unprecedented creation of the myth that dvd sales exceeded 100 million a week in the market.

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

Mark Randolph is also thinking that if Ronan's words are true, it means that starting next year, Netflix will have a broader potential for market development, and it is very likely to make the cake bigger.

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

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

Ronan didn't mind: "Actually, as early as 1998, when I first met Mr. Hastings, when he talked about Netflix's model, I paid attention to Netflix."

"1998?" Mark Randolph suddenly realized something.

Ronan said softly, "Since then, I have a kind of understanding that Netflix's business model might one day replace Blockbuster. Therefore, I have been following Netflix in recent years to determine this model. Does it really have a future?"

Mark Randolph fully understands: "You have planned this acquisition for a long time..."

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

Mark Randolph took a deep look at Ronan, who was so patient and deep-minded that he didn't seem to be a young man in his twenties.

"Mr. Anderson, I don't understand." Mark Randolph couldn't help but ask, "Why do 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 glorious future of the film and television online leasing 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 My friend, he should know that it is impossible for him to stay at Netflix."

Mark Randolph certainly knows Reed Hastings. How could Reed stay and work for Relativity Entertainment?

"So, I'm Reid'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 the CEO of Netflix before Reed Hastings entered Netflix's business with absolute control.

Before Mark Randolph could react, Ronan explained: "I just said that I have been following Netflix for several years. I know enough about Netflix. The true founder and The operator is always you, not Reed Hastings. From the site structure, to the establishment of postal routes, to the construction of warehousing, etc., the person leading the team to complete these tasks is always you."

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

But for Netflix, who has devoted countless efforts, and for the friendship between the two, he has not said anything for more than a year.

Not speaking does not mean approval.

Ronan is not so stupid to provoke the relationship between Mark Randolph and Reed Hastings. Some words stop at the end, and instead say: "Mr. Randolph, I officially invite you to serve as Nye The post of CEO of Flying CompanyI..." Mark Randolph didn't know for a while whether he should refuse or agree.

Ronan continued: "Relativity Entertainment has completed the acquisition of Netflix. After that, apart from the highest power structure, Netflix will not be significantly adjusted. I hope that Netflix’s existing policies and goals can continue to be implemented. Change can also achieve a smooth transition."

He was very sincere: "Mr. Randolph, I have no conflicts with you and the Netflix team on my goals and plans for Netflix. We can cooperate wholeheartedly to overthrow companies such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Audition for the film rental industry. Bring revolutionary development!"

Mark Randolph kept thinking about it, but didn't answer.

Ronan is enough to stop: "Mr. Randolph, please consider my suggestion seriously."

Mark Randolph is his first choice, but not the only choice.

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