Next Gen Builders Growing Globally with Damien Delautier from CANAL+
In this episode of Next Gen Builders, Francois sits down with Damien Delautier, a seasoned product leader at CANAL+, a major player in the creation and distribution of content around the world.
The duo unravel the complexities behind scaling tech platforms at a global level and their conversation covers M&A, the blending of data with people, and how teams can connect despite the distance between them.
Drawing inspiration from Mike Tyson's memorable quote, 'Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,' Damien shares candid insights into navigating the unpredictable world of product management and constant adaptation. He sheds light on the team’s ambitious goal for CANAL+ to rank among the top five streaming platforms worldwide within five years and covers the intricate strategies involved in achieving this feat.
With a mix of humor and deep expertise, Damien dives into how tapping into local market nuances and fostering human connections can transform challenges into innovative solutions. Tune in to hear about the many facets of mergers and acquisitions, from balancing a myriad of technologies to integrating diverse teams while keeping everyone invested in a shared vision. Francois and Damien explore not just the technical hurdles, but the paramount importance of understanding the people behind the technology, making this episode a must-listen for any aspiring product leader looking to make their mark in the tech industry.
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Guest Bio
Damien Delautier serves as the Chief Product Officer at CANAL+, a prominent media and pay-TV operator with over 20 million subscribers globally. Under his leadership, CANAL+ has undergone a significant transformation in its product development approach, shifting from traditional methods to a more data-driven strategy. Delautier emphasizes the importance of understanding user behavior to enhance the myCANAL application, which has become a focal point for improving user retention and engagement. His initiatives have led to a threefold increase in conversion rates, showcasing the effectiveness of leveraging analytics and insights in product design and user experience.
At the VivaTech Paris conference, Delautier highlighted CANAL+'s advancements in automating video production and enhancing fan experiences through artificial intelligence. By collaborating with WSC Sports, CANAL+ has developed an innovative system for creating and distributing sports highlights across various platforms, including social media and their mobile app. This AI-driven technology not only streamlines content creation but also opens new avenues for revenue generation, reflecting Delautier's vision of integrating technology into the core of CANAL+'s operations.
Delautier's commitment to fostering a data-centric culture within CANAL+ has empowered cross-functional teams to make informed decisions based on real-time analytics. By promoting a collaborative environment where UX, engineering, and product teams work together, he has facilitated rapid prototyping and testing, which are crucial for adapting to the fast-paced media landscape. His leadership is pivotal in driving CANAL+'s ongoing efforts to innovate and enhance the overall user experience, ensuring the company remains competitive in the evolving digital market.
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Guest Quote
“Every success story that you hear, it's retro engineering. When you hear about success, nobody has planned to do it this way, but at the end it has worked.
It has been a game changer for me to understand that nobody knows what they're doing, and what makes the difference between something that's success or fail is just, they have tried and never given up.
It's all about building this path. Nothing will happen the way we have planned it. So we need to have this strong vision, and we want to have a great product. We don't know how we get there, but we need to build this journey.” – Damien Delautier
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Time Stamps
00:00 Episode Start
01:27 Damien's Background
02:18 The history of CANAL+
04:00 M&A as a core growth strategy
06:56 How to manage both the tech and people of new businesses
09:41 Why it's critical to focus on the human aspect
13:26 Building connections in a distributed world
15:59 Being comfortable with the unknown
19:23 How to blend data with creativity
22:12 Adapting features to specific cultures
27:56 Leveraging data to sift through all the noise
29:39 Aha moments from Damien's career
33:01 Damien's Oh Sh*t Moment
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Links