Computer Support Blog

Every good idea has its time.  Sometimes, the window for that idea can be very small and a business that fails to enact the good idea in a timely fashion, it can find itself in a world of trouble.  Similarly, when a business uses a good idea well, it often has to remain ahead of its competitors.  Blockbuster Video knows what it is like to wait too long to get on board a good idea; Netflix, with its innovative business strategy and product delivery method virtually buried the video rental chain.  Much of the success Netflix has had is the result of Neil Hunt.

Neil Hunt is an accomplished software engineer who rose to become one of the most vibrant executives in the technology and entertainment industries.  As the Chief Product Officer of Netflix since 2002, Hunt helped Netflix rise to become the industry leader in DVD rental services.  As a shrewd businessman, Hunt helped to build the platform for Netflix that has made it one of the most flexible and successful media delivery services ever.

As a former software programmer, Neil Hunt is an ideal Chief Product Officer for Netflix, especially as the company moves into streaming videos.  He is exceptionally comfortable explaining computer jargon, which makes a lot of sense given that he earned his PhD in Computer Science at the University of Aberdeen.  Even though a lot has changed since 1986 when Hunt earned his doctorate, Hunt remains articulate on all manner of computing issues.  Because of his expertise, Hunt has effectively marketed the shift from physical media (DVDs and Blu-Ray discs) toward digital media (streaming videos) to Netflix’s users.

After earning his Doctorate, Neil Hunt went to work for Pure Software, before it transformed into Rational Software.  While working there as a software engineer, Hunt was instrumental in designing the Purify tool.  Software developers still use the Purify software tool today, arguably because of how Hunt made it both versatile and adaptable.  After a series of successful engineering and design positions, Hunt made the transition to an executive role.  Getting his feet wet as the Director of Engineering for Rational Software, Hunt joined Netflix as the Vice President of Internet Engineering in 1999.

At Netflix, Neil Hunt was primarily responsible for creating the internal and external framework for the company’s Internet presence.  Hunt distinguished himself by leading the team that connected the user interface for Netflix on the Internet to the company’s secure intranet.  This created a powerful database and distribution platform that made Netflix so successful initially.  In 2002, he was promoted to Chief Product Officer.

As Chief Product Officer, Hunt is responsible for keeping Netflix commercially viable by keeping the product the company sells at the industry standard.  In the media distribution market, that means moving Netflix from physical media distribution to digital media distribution.  Neil Hunt quickly realized the tremendous value of digital media distribution and he got Netflix on board early, which is why it is not in the same quagmire as Blockbuster Video!

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