Publications
Publications
- May 2016 (Revised April 2019)
- HBS Case Collection
Legendary Entertainment: Moneyball for Motion Pictures
By: John A. Deighton and Leora Kornfeld
Abstract
Legendary, the Hollywood studio responsible for such hits as Jurassic World and The Dark Knight, decides to take the marketing of its films in-house, and to market them fan-by-fan. Owner Thomas Tull acquires the big-data-in-sports firm started by Matt Marolda and appoints him to run marketing analytics for Legendary. The methods perform well in the motion picture market. Other Hollywood studios want to lease its services, and firms outside of entertainment express interest. Marolda and Tull consider setting up Legendary Analytics as an independent consulting business. At that point Dalian Wanda, China's largest entertainment and real estate conglomerate, buys Legendary. Should Marolda focus on China or the diversified U.S. market?
Keywords
"Marketing Analytics"; Marketing Strategy; Decision Making; Motion Pictures and Video Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry
Citation
Deighton, John A., and Leora Kornfeld. "Legendary Entertainment: Moneyball for Motion Pictures." Harvard Business School Case 516-117, May 2016. (Revised April 2019.)