Hacking NetFlix

HackingNetflix at Gnomedex

I'm at Gnomedex today and tomorrow, and just finished the Microsoft Pro Photo Summit on Wednesday and Thursday (for the day job). It's been a crazy week that started in California, so I haven't had the time to transcribe the interview with Reed Hastings. Have a great holiday weekend and I'll post the story on Tuesday next week.

Interesting Netflix Job Posting

Netlix is looking for a Manager, FP&A, Electronic Distribution, for the Beverly Hills-based content management team. The job description is very interesting:

The Mgr of Content FP & A will be primarily responsible for all planning, analysis and reporting associated with growing and managing the company’s library of electronic distribution rights. Tasks will include:

• Building and maintaining systems for tracking the company’s library of ED rights, and measuring the performance of titles when offered through a Netflix ED service;
• Analyzing potential ED acquisition rights transaction scenarios, and presenting recommendations to management on optimal terms;
• Evaluating performance of Netflix DVD rentals as an indicator of future demand for ED content, and developing ED demand forecasting models based on Netflix DVD rental performance and other factors;
• Monitoring industry data and other business models as are relevant to inform future service strategy and negotiations for ED content rights and forecast demand;
• Creating and maintaining budgets for ED content and ED content administration;
• Serving as liaison between the ED content team and the financial planning and analysis and accounting groups at headquarters with respect to financial issues;
• Providing analytical support on projects on an occasional basis for the DVD content acquisition team.

Thanks to Sean for sending this in.

New Netflix Shipping Center in Boise?

Tourneyman1 is reporting a new Netflix envelope return address in Boise, Idaho.

Netflix Member Information Update

Netflix is looking for more information when you log into your account:

A Netflix spokesperson said that they asked "those questions to get more detail about our members so that we can improve the recommendations system and constantly improve the service in general. The more we know, the better we serve."

Netflix Envelope Ad: Talladega Nights

The latest Netflix envelope ad is for the Will Smith Ferrell movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Reuters: Netflix Has Edge in Lawsuits

Reuters is reporting that Netflix might have have the "upper hand" in the patent war with Blockbuster, Netflix has edge in Blockbuster lawsuits-attorneys.

Attorney Marc Lieberstein of Pitney Hardin agreed that Netflix's case looked strong except for its failure to disclose prior art before applying for its first patent.

If Netflix prevails, it could force Blockbuster and any other competitor in the fast-growing online rental industry to pay licensing fees or come up with a completely new model, the attorneys said.

DVDPlay Raises $20 Million

Jeff tipped me off that DVD rental kiosk company DVDPlay has raised an additional $20 million:

DVDPlay(TM), the leading US manufacturer and operator of DVD rental kiosks, announced today that it raised over $20 million in new equity financing. El Dorado Ventures, Emergence Capital Partners, Palo Alto Venture Partners and Vanguard Ventures participated equally in the funding. To date, DVDPlay has raised nearly $40 million in equity financing. The new financing will be used to fund DVDPlay's national roll-out of their DVD rental kiosks. In addition, DVDPlay has secured a similar amount of lease financing commitments to support their installations through 2007.

It's interesting to note that DVDPlay and Netflix are both located in Los Gatos, California.

Reed Hastings Interview Update

I'm working on a transcript of the interview with Reed Hastings, but I'm traveling and attending two back-to-back conferences so I have had little free time. I hope to post the interview, photos and my notes from visiting a shipping center tomorrow morning.

Lisa Loeb to Host Netflix Rolling Roadshow

Netflix announced that singer Lisa Loeb will be hosting the Nettflix Roadshow, a multi-city movie tour that will screen movies in locations where they were filmed.

Ms. Loeb will accompany the "Netflix Rolling Roadshow" as its spokesperson and ambassador. "We are thrilled to have Lisa on the road with us," said Leslie Kilgore, chief marketing officer for Netflix. "Her effervescence, style and pop-culture acumen will no doubt enrich the tour experience and bring great energy and wit to this national event."

DVD-by-Mail Software for $300?

Someone on GetAFreelancer is willing to pay $100-$300 for a "DVD rental site based on the Netflix Model." Didn't Netflix spend millions and more than 7 years to develop the software?