The Information's TITV The Information’s 411 — God-Zillow
Oct 15, 2019
Nick Wingfield, a technology editor with a keen eye for industry trends, shares insights from his conversation with Zillow CEO Rich Barton. They dive into Barton's vision of empowering users through ecommerce, despite challenges. Nick also reflects on Microsoft’s Surface ambitions and its impact on PC innovation, while pondering Apple's precarious position amid Hong Kong protests and its heavy reliance on China. It's a rich discussion packed with analysis on how tech giants adapt to shifting landscapes.
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Data As Public Power
- Rich Barton builds products that democratize guarded information to give power to the public.
- Zillow and Glassdoor follow this playbook by exposing home values and internal company ratings.
Founder Returns To Steer A Turnaround
- Rich Barton returned as Zillow CEO to steer the company through new competitive threats.
- His comeback echoes other founders who returned to revive companies facing disruption.
Listings To Inventory Shift
- Instant buying (Opendoor) turned Zillow from an information-ad business into a commerce competitor.
- That shift forces Zillow to carry capital-intensive inventory and change its core economics.