Growing on YouTube: Eric Kim’s story

Publication Type

Case

Publication Date

3-2023

Abstract

In 2020, when everyone had been quarantined at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea-based Eric Kim jumped onto YouTube, a video-sharing digital platform. Although his initial growth on the platform was relatively fast, it soon began to stagnate. Kim decided to consider four key strategies to overcome this situation, which included revealing his face in his videos, business expansion, strategic alliances through Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs), and internationalisation. Would Kim regain his rapid expansion of influence on YouTube? Could his subsequent growth efforts be sufficient to ensure his channel’s continued success in an increasingly digital world?

Students will be able to 1) explain the YouTube revenue system and characteristics that classify YouTubers as individual entrepreneurs; 2) decide which identity plays an important role in the digital platform; 3) understand MCN firms and analyse their business model; 4) highlight the competitive challenges faced by the MCN industry; 5) describe and develop advanced strategies for digital platforms; and 6) recommend a better strategy for this individual entrepreneur’s international expansion.

Keyword(s)

Influencers, social media, digital media, digital platforms, entrepreneurial business strategy, Internationalization

Discipline

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | Social Media | Strategic Management Policy

Research Areas

Strategy and Organisation

Data Source

Generalised Experience

Industry

Broadcasting and streaming media industry

Geographic Coverage

South Korea

Temporal Coverage

2020

Education Level

Executive Education; Postgraduate; Undergraduate

Publisher

Singapore Management University

Case ID

SMU-22-0039

Comments

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Additional URL

https://cmp.smu.edu.sg/case/5716

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