There’s a popular story about the founding of Netflix. In it, the company’s co-founder, Reed Hastings, came up with the idea after accruing a $40 late fee from Blockbuster for the movie Apollo 13.
But according to recent reports, that story might not be entirely accurate. The company’s co-founders Hastings and Marc Randolph simply wanted to come up with a company that didn’t fit into any existing category. So, they decided to start an ecommerce company for DVDs.
In an interview with CNET, Gina Keating, author of Netflixed said:
“Randolph told me that Reed began circulating that story when he was still with the company and Reed explained that this was just a way to explain how the company worked — like the Pez dispensers at eBay. It didn’t really happen, but the founding story is long and complicated and is not a lightning strike. Initially the tale was sort of a marketing tool. It tells you everything about how Netflix works.”
While the story of the Blockbuster late fee has become iconic, Randolph’s account isn’t anything to be ashamed of either. Starting a business that doesn’t fit into any existing category is definitely a risk, but one that can pay off big time if successful.
For Netflix, the concept of renting DVDs by mail for a monthly flat rate was a gamble. But customers, many of whom had experienced the late fees at businesses like Blockbuster, realized its value. And since then the company has evolved while still maintaining its perch atop the industry that it basically created.
In a post for ReadWrite, Christopher Lochhead wrote:
“Every year in the technology industry, hundreds of companies launch thousands of new products. Most of these new products are pointed at existing categories. The thinking here is the bigger the market, the greater the opportunity. While some of these new products will find traction, many won’t. Because the technology industry is generally a winner-take-all game. And once a Category King is crowned, it is almost impossible to dethrone them.”
Image: Netflix
Aira Bongco
It’s better to create your own market. That’s true. But it is harder to do than just deal with an existing market that another brand is already making a profit with.
Annie Pilon
That’s absolutely true. It’s not for everyone. But for certain ideas it can lead to huge success.
Kyle
This concept is called Blue Ocean Strategy.
Annie Pilon
thank you!
Well, this is quite interesting! For a company to set up a new market, I truly believe they had the best innovative ideas that suited to the “NOW” needs of the public. And it really worked. But to do such is very tedious and it is difficult to make an impact with something new. Unlike with those market that has been utilized by companies for profit, the new market has to really dive into greater uncertainties.