Publications

November 2002
Background Note

Strategy and Sources of Motion Picture Finance, The

By: Mihir A. Desai, Gabriel J. Loeb and Mark Veblen

This case considers the alternative financing mechanisms for film financing, the evolution of film finance in the United States, and the nature of tax-motivated film financing in the United States and around the world. It develops the strategy driving motion picture... View Details

Keywords: Film Entertainment; Financial Instruments; Financial Strategy; Financing and Loans; Globalized Markets and Industries; Taxation; Motivation and Incentives; Competitive Strategy; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; United States

07 Apr 2020
Research & Ideas

What Customers Need to Hear from You During the COVID Crisis

memes proliferated after a group of celebrities, including Gal Gadot, Jimmy Fallon, Natalie Portman, Cara Delevingne, and Will Ferrell, came together virtually to sing an inspirational version of John Lennon’s "Imagine." Instead... View Details

Keywords: by Jill Avery and Richard Edelman

July 2012
Case

LEGO

By: Jan W. Rivkin, Stefan Thomke and Daniela Beyersdorfer

LEGO has emerged as one of the most successful companies in the toy industry. The case describes LEGO's gradual rise, rapid decline, and recent revitalization as it is keeping up with a changing market place. Central to LEGO's management model is the ability to find... View Details

Keywords: Innovation Management; Innovation; Operations Management; Organizational Change And Transformation; Operations; Competitive Strategy; Innovation and Management; Innovation Strategy; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Entertainment and Recreation Industry

November 1983 (Revised June 1994)
Case

Controls at the Sands Hotel and Casino

Describes the controls used in the casino over the blackjack game and cash stocks, and movements of cash. Also describes the results measures available in the casino and their limitations for control purposes. View Details

Keywords: Management Systems; Accounting; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; United States

12 May 2015
Research & Ideas

How Crowds and Experts Kickstart the Arts

Philosophers have talked by turns about both the "wisdom" and "madness" of crowds. But when it comes to assessing and funding the arts, just how wise are crowds—and how does their wisdom compare to that of... View Details

Keywords: Re: Ramana Nanda; Entertainment & Recreation

July 2024
Case

Wizards of the Coast and Magic: The Rebounding

By: Boris Groysberg and Tom Quinn

This case traces the history and growth of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. From its development in 1993 by tiny studio Wizards of the Coast, to Wizards’ acquisition by toy giant Hasbro in 1999, to its evolution into a billion-dollar brand in 2023,... View Details

28 Jul 2020
Research & Ideas

Racism and Digital Design: How Online Platforms Can Thwart Discrimination

Having uncovered the scope of discrimination taking place against Black guests and hosts on Airbnb, researcher Michael Luca and his colleagues put together a toolkit to aid managers in recognizing View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz; Entertainment & Recreation; Entertainment & Recreation; Entertainment & Recreation

March 2009 (Revised November 2021)
Case

The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire?

By: Juan Alcacer, David J. Collis and Mary Furey

Soon after Robert Iger took over as CEO of the Walt Disney Company in late 2005, he turned his attention toward Pixar, the animation studio with which Disney had worked since 1991 and was responsible for producing hits such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo. Disney's own... View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Decision Making; Animation Entertainment; Film Entertainment; Contracts; Distribution; Partners and Partnerships; Vertical Integration; Motion Pictures and Video Industry

September 1994 (Revised January 1997)
Case

This Case Sucks: Beavis, Butt-head, and TV Content (A)

By: Joseph L. Badaracco Jr. and Jerry Useem

Beginning in 1992, "Beavis and Butt-head," an animated series on MTV about two uncivilized teenaged misfits, became both a runaway popular sensation and the symbol of a heated national debate about violent and inappropriate programming on television. Especially after... View Details

Keywords: Debates; Decision Choices and Conditions; Animation Entertainment; Fairness; Governance Controls; Media; Outcome or Result; Social Issues; Entertainment and Recreation Industry

January 2008
Teaching Note

TiVo 2007: DVRs and Beyond (TN)

By: David B. Yoffie and Michael Slind

Teaching Note for [708401]. View Details

Keywords: Entertainment and Recreation Industry; United States

February 2007
Case

Paul Robertson and the Medici String Quartet

Describes the approach to creative collaboration and leadership adopted by Paul Robertson as leader of one of the most highly regarded string quartets in recent history. Intended to prompt a discussion of a variety of issues surrounding management of creative... View Details

Keywords: Management; Creativity; Groups and Teams; Music Entertainment; Music Industry

October 2006
Teaching Note

Texas Gulf Sulphur: The Timmins Ontario Mine and Martha Stewart (TN) (A), (B) and (C)

By: Henry B. Reiling and Zack Phillips

Keywords: Metals and Minerals; Publishing Industry; Publishing Industry; Publishing Industry

July 2017
Supplement

Centerbridge Partners and Great Wolf Resorts (B)

By: Josh Lerner, John D. Dionne and Amram Migdal

The case examines the aftermath of the March 2015 Centerbridge Partners acquisition of Great Wolf Resorts, a North American family-oriented indoor water parks and hotel operator, from a private equity (PE) competitor, Apollo Global Management. View Details

09 May 2023
Cold Call Podcast

Can Robin Williams’ Son Help Other Families Heal Addiction and Depression?

Keywords: Re: Lauren H. Cohen; Entertainment & Recreation; Entertainment & Recreation

05 Apr 2010
Research & Ideas

HBS Cases: iPads, Kindles, and the Close of a Chapter in Book Publishing

cooperation with Amazon? Are there other strategic partners to consider? As the largest publisher in the world, should Random House take a stand on e-book pricing and royalty rates? Finally, if the entire structure of the book publishing... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Entertainment & Recreation; Entertainment & Recreation; Entertainment & Recreation

October 1998 (Revised May 2004)
Teaching Note

Adventurous Computer Games, Inc. and Adventurous Computer Games, Inc.(Abridged)TN

By: William J. Bruns Jr.

Teaching Note for (9-199-020) and (9-193-088). View Details

Keywords: Games, Gaming, and Gambling; Entertainment and Recreation Industry

September 2016 (Revised April 2020)
Case

Dwyane Wade

By: Anita Elberse and Jennifer Schoppe

In July 2016, while on his annual China tour to help promote the sportswear brand Li-Ning, basketball superstar Dwyane Wade and his long-time business manager, Lisa Joseph-Metelus, face a decision regarding one of his other business partnerships—that with the American... View Details

Keywords: Branding; Fashion; Superstar; Celebrity Endorsement; Innovation; Creative Industries; Talent; General Management; Sports; Entertainment; Brands and Branding; Marketing; Management; Strategy; Personal Development and Career; Consumer Products Industry; Consumer Products Industry; Consumer Products Industry; China

June 2010
Supplement

Blue Man Group: Creativity, Life, and Business (Video)

This video complements the case "Blue Man Group: Creativity, Life and Surviving an Economic Crisis." (810108) With extensive clips from live performances, Blue Man's three co-founders offer their perspective on creativity, life and business; and describe the birth and... View Details

Keywords: Creativity; Entrepreneurship; Financial Crisis; Entertainment and Recreation Industry