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Watch and Learn: How I Turned Hollywood Upside Down with Netflix, Redbox, and MoviePass—Lessons in Disruption
Get an inside perspective on the entertainment distribution revolution from an executive who lived it with Netflix, Redbox, and MoviePass, and who continues to consult, speak, and share his unique understanding of how to disrupt the status quo and adapt to what the customer wants.
When Warner Brothers announced they'd be streaming all their new 2021 theatrical releases simultaneously on HBO Max, it sent shock waves through the entertainment industry. But it was also an inevitable decision, and one soon to be copied by the other major studios scrambling to keep up with just how radically the way we watch movies has changed over the past two decades. Mitch Lowe has been at the forefront of that revolution, helping to shape a world where you can watch whatever movie, wherever and whenever you want. Lowe was one of the founding executives at Netflix; served as president of Redbox, the DVD rental kiosks outside Walmart and supermarkets around the country; and as the CEO of MoviePass, the much-lauded monthly movie theater subscription that, even as it failed, changed the way movie theaters operate forever. Along the way, Lowe learned that genuine disruption doesn't always mean aggressive upheaval and overnight success. More often than not, true disruption is the result of perseverance, imagination, and a constantly evolving quest to understand what it is that customers really want.
In Watch and Learn, Mitch Lowe will tell the inside story of the dramatic evolution of the entertainment business, from the days of early cable television, Beta, and VHS to a world where consumers have infinite choice and control of the movies they see. He'll also share personal stories from a wild ride that began with his dropping out of high school and living on the edge of conflict in an Israeli kibbutz, smuggling goods and money between Europe and the Middle East, and ultimately embracing Buddhism. Along the way readers will gain essential insights and lessons that extend far beyond the entertainment industry, rooted in Lowe's keen sense for seeing ahead of the curve and intuiting customer needs, and applicable to anyone who has ambitions to disrupt and from leading with love and imagination, to reinforcing the intrinsic power of gut instinct with data and testing, to the ultimate competitive advantage of getting closest to the customer, and the value of perseverance and tinkering.
"Whether you're just starting out in business or already have a long track record of success, you'll find plenty to learn from a man who has seen it all, done most of it, and met everyone. You'll see . . . there's nobody else like Mitch." —from the Foreword by Marc Randolph, Co-founder and First CEO of Netflix, and author of That Will Never The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea
When Warner Brothers announced they'd be streaming all their new 2021 theatrical releases simultaneously on HBO Max, it sent shock waves through the entertainment industry. But it was also an inevitable decision, and one soon to be copied by the other major studios scrambling to keep up with just how radically the way we watch movies has changed over the past two decades. Mitch Lowe has been at the forefront of that revolution, helping to shape a world where you can watch whatever movie, wherever and whenever you want. Lowe was one of the founding executives at Netflix; served as president of Redbox, the DVD rental kiosks outside Walmart and supermarkets around the country; and as the CEO of MoviePass, the much-lauded monthly movie theater subscription that, even as it failed, changed the way movie theaters operate forever. Along the way, Lowe learned that genuine disruption doesn't always mean aggressive upheaval and overnight success. More often than not, true disruption is the result of perseverance, imagination, and a constantly evolving quest to understand what it is that customers really want.
In Watch and Learn, Mitch Lowe will tell the inside story of the dramatic evolution of the entertainment business, from the days of early cable television, Beta, and VHS to a world where consumers have infinite choice and control of the movies they see. He'll also share personal stories from a wild ride that began with his dropping out of high school and living on the edge of conflict in an Israeli kibbutz, smuggling goods and money between Europe and the Middle East, and ultimately embracing Buddhism. Along the way readers will gain essential insights and lessons that extend far beyond the entertainment industry, rooted in Lowe's keen sense for seeing ahead of the curve and intuiting customer needs, and applicable to anyone who has ambitions to disrupt and from leading with love and imagination, to reinforcing the intrinsic power of gut instinct with data and testing, to the ultimate competitive advantage of getting closest to the customer, and the value of perseverance and tinkering.
"Whether you're just starting out in business or already have a long track record of success, you'll find plenty to learn from a man who has seen it all, done most of it, and met everyone. You'll see . . . there's nobody else like Mitch." —from the Foreword by Marc Randolph, Co-founder and First CEO of Netflix, and author of That Will Never The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2022
7 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 25, 2022
Full disclosure: I am a close family friend and have had countless conversations with Mitch over the years on many of the topics this book touches on.
Who I recommend this book to . . .
*People interested in learning about how old ma and pop video stores operated
*Anyone who wants to know how Netflix came to prominence
*Folks who ever wondered how those Redboxes became ubiquitous
*Moviegoers who took full advantage of MoviePass and are still curious as to what the hell happened
*Consumers who wish to know more about how Hollywood studios and powerful corporations battle with innovators
With Watch and Learn Mitch has provided us with a behind-the-scenes tour of his many triumphs and failures. I think it is important to note that he doesn't shy away from his failures in this book; instead, he invites us to learn from them. This is a sincere reflection on a brilliant career.
Who I recommend this book to . . .
*People interested in learning about how old ma and pop video stores operated
*Anyone who wants to know how Netflix came to prominence
*Folks who ever wondered how those Redboxes became ubiquitous
*Moviegoers who took full advantage of MoviePass and are still curious as to what the hell happened
*Consumers who wish to know more about how Hollywood studios and powerful corporations battle with innovators
With Watch and Learn Mitch has provided us with a behind-the-scenes tour of his many triumphs and failures. I think it is important to note that he doesn't shy away from his failures in this book; instead, he invites us to learn from them. This is a sincere reflection on a brilliant career.
April 10, 2023
A retrospective of a long and eventful career, who is willing to share their successes and failures with readers. Mitch has a genuine desire to help others learn from their experiences and is not afraid to be honest about their missteps along the way.
Incredibly valuable for anyone who is interested in pursuing a similar career path or who wants to learn from the experiences of others. By sharing both the successes and failures Mitch provides a unique perspective that is both informative and inspiring.
You may find that the author's insights and reflections on their career are both insightful and thought-provoking and that they provide valuable lessons that can be applied to your own life and career.
Incredibly valuable for anyone who is interested in pursuing a similar career path or who wants to learn from the experiences of others. By sharing both the successes and failures Mitch provides a unique perspective that is both informative and inspiring.
You may find that the author's insights and reflections on their career are both insightful and thought-provoking and that they provide valuable lessons that can be applied to your own life and career.
May 6, 2022
The book immediately takes you on an adventure through the eyes of Mitch Lowe. Its like being shot from a cannon into a non-stop life of adventure. The story reads like a film, cutting from one scene to the next, and it leaves the reader wondering, how the hell did he end up starting Netflix? From a motorcycle adventure, to smuggling clothing, this story unfolds with fascination. I'm left inspired after finishing this book, and wondering where my life would be if I took more risks and trusted in the unknown. Overall, very inspirational read, and its only a matter of time before they make this a movie.
June 5, 2023
This is a quick business story from the man instrumental in developing Netflix, Redbox and MoviePass. The beginning detailed his adventures with various women as he traveled Europe and Asia, which almost made me stop reading. The sections where he describes how Netflix came to be are more interesting. Overall, not much to say beyond that.
August 19, 2024
Small number of people working together focused on a clear mission and a long term goal changed their world
Maintaining big goals and the excitement of measuring your performance against them
Keeps me thrilled about waking up each day!
Maintaining big goals and the excitement of measuring your performance against them
Keeps me thrilled about waking up each day!
September 12, 2024
I agree with the sentiment that this book could be a blog post with thoughts. It’s always cool to see how someone successful can make success from an unconventional path though. I wish I could just talk to the author instead of reading this book.
June 12, 2023
Easy to read and understand. It’s a perfect, easy book to begin with if you are on the path of a small business owner.
October 16, 2022
Super interesting subject and very well written! Recommended!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews