Instead of returning to San Francisco, Mark Randolph stayed in Los Angeles after the Netflix ownership change was completed because he received a call from Netflix's new owner, Ronan Anderson, who wanted to talk to him.

He has a deeper affection for Netflix than Reed Hastings, a company he founded and developed.

Although Mark Randolph is actually a Reid Hastings worker at Netflix, it doesn't stop him from putting all his passion into the company.

After Reed Hastings completed the deal with Relativity Entertainment, he once made it clear to Mark Randolph that Netflix's future has nothing to do with him, but Mark Randolph can't be so open-minded, and he still has the position of chief operating officer at Netflix for the time being, wanting to determine how Netflix will develop in the future.

And the best way to know for sure is undoubtedly from Ronan Anderson, the boss of Relativity Entertainment.

So, 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, and Mark Randolph came to the front hall earlier than the appointed time, but he couldn't sit down at all, and stood and waited on one side of the front hall, and when he was really restless, he could only be relieved by pacing back and forth.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, I 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 a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Randolph. He smiled and said, "This is a private meeting, call me Ronan." “

Mark Randolph was a bit surprised by Ronan's affable attitude.

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

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

Ronan asked for coffee to be served, and after the waiter left, he said to Mark Randolph: "I asked you to meet this time, because I have something to do with Netflix and want to talk to you." ”

Mark Randolph has been in business for many years, and he doesn't go around in circles, and says directly: "I stayed in Los Angeles, not back to San Francisco, and I also wanted to talk to you about Netflix." ”

Ronan smiled, "Looks like we've found something in common. ”

Mark Randolph smiled back politely and said, "Mr. Anderson, after you complete the acquisition of Netflix, you will definitely have to reshuffle the management of Netflix, but I am currently the chief operating officer of Netflix, I would like to ask, do you have any plans for Netflix?"

Ronan said simply: "According to Netflix's established goals to continue to develop, Netflix's film and television Internet rental model is promising, and the future development is unlimited." ”

"What...... What?" Mark Randolph was really surprised, but fortunately, after a long time in the mall, his demeanor and movements were quite 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, Ronan has no need to say that nonsense anymore, and said calmly: "Of course it's true, if I wasn't optimistic about Netflix's future, how could I possibly buy Netflix." ”

Mark Randolph is not a hairy boy after all, taking a deep breath, it gradually becomes clear in his head, just like Reed's self-selling and boastful words, what Ronan Anderson said during the negotiation may not have much truth to speak of.

Strategic fraud in negotiations is a common occurrence in business.

"Continue the Netflix model?" asked Mark Randolph again, "continue to develop the online rental business of film and television?"

Without any hesitation, Ronan replied, "Yes." Relativity Entertainment will have more capital investment, more content and channel support. Relativity Entertainment is a Hollywood film company, and with Relativity Entertainment in the background, Netflix's urgent rental content will be solved to a large extent. “

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

Ronan continued: "In terms of funding, Relativity Entertainment will fully support Netflix, I dare not say more, but there is no problem with investing $100 million in the next year. ”

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

Ronan said seriously: "Never thought about it. He further said, "Being in Hollywood, as a producer and owner of a studio, I've delved into the burgeoning film and television DVD industry, and DVDs can quickly start an explosion in the current situation. ”

"When did this outbreak begin?" said Mark Randolph with great concern.

While observing Mark Randolph quietly, Ronan said: "Next year, I have talked to many professionals in the Hollywood industry, and Relativity Entertainment has collected a lot of data based on its own DVD distribution channels, and I have come to the conclusion that next year's North American film and television DVD revenue will at least double this year." ”

There is a basis for this, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Ring Squad" will be released successively at the end of this year, and there will be a live-action movie "Spider-Man" in the summer of next year.

"Spider-Man" is unprecedented, creating the myth that the sales of DVDs exceeded 100 million in one week.

Ronan said simply: "There is a consensus among Hollywood executives that the sales of DVD players in North America may exceed 8 million units next year, and the sales of video and television discs will reach 35 million. The disc rental market has always been larger than the sales market. ”

Mark Randolph is also thinking that 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 bigger.

Ronan added: "You as a professional know better than me about the future of online leasing, and I have always been very aware of your philosophy, plans and goals. ”

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

Ronan doesn't mind: "Actually, back in 1998, when I first met Mr. Hastings and heard him talk about Netflix's model, I paid attention to Netflix. ”

"1998?" said Mark Randolph.

Ronan said softly: "Since then, I have had a sense that the model operated by Netflix may one day replace Pepsi. So, I've been following Netflix for the past few years to determine if this model really has a future. ”

Mark Randolph got it all right: "You've been planning this acquisition for a long time......"

"That's right. Ronan didn't deny that it wasn't a winner's show-off, but something else: "After more than two years of investigation, I finally determined that Netflix had a promising business and that it fit some of my development plans, so I had this acquisition." ”

Mark Randolph gave Ronan a deep look, the other party was patient and thoughtful, not at all like a young man in his twenties.

"Mr. Anderson, I don't understand. Mark Randolph couldn't help but ask, "Why are you saying this to me." ”

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

Mark Randolph was rather surprised, and specifically asked, "Why me?" and not Reed?"

"You were involved in the negotiations throughout, and you should know that I tried to keep Mr. Hastings in another way, but he refused without hesitation. Ronan was telling the truth: "You are friends with Mr. Hastings, and you should know that he can't stay on Netflix." ”

Mark Randolph certainly knows Reed Hastings, how could Reed possibly stay and work for Relativity Entertainment?

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

Ronan said calmly: "No, my CEO choice has always been you, even if Reed Hastings stays on Netflix, you are still the CEO's first choice." ”

Before Reed Hastings stepped into the Netflix business with an absolute controlling stake, Mark Randolph had been Netflix's CEO.

Without waiting for Mark Randolph to react, Ronan explained: "I just said that I've been following Netflix for several years now, and I know enough about the situation on Netflix. The true creator and operator of Netflix has always been 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, and even though he had a good relationship with Reed Hastings, he still had a lot of opinions about Reed's dismantling of his team within the company.

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

Not speaking does not mean agreeing.

Ronan wouldn't be stupid enough to stir up a wedge between Mark Randolph and Reed Hastings, and instead said, "Mr. Randolph, I formally extend an invitation to you to take on the role of CEO of Netflix. ”

"I ......" Mark Randolph didn't know for a moment whether to refuse, or to agree.

Ronan continued: "Relativity Entertainment will not make significant adjustments to Netflix after completing the acquisition of Netflix, except for the highest power structure, and I hope that Netflix's existing policies and goals can continue to be implemented, and this equity change can also achieve a smooth transition." ”

He was full of sincerity: "Mr. Randolph, my goals and plans for Netflix have no conflict with you and the Netflix team, and we can work together wholeheartedly to overturn companies such as Pepsi and Hollywood Audition, and bring revolutionary development to the film and television rental industry!"

Mark Randolph had been thinking about it and didn't answer.

Ronan stopped: "Mr. Randolph, please consider my suggestion seriously. ”

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

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