Douglas Merrill

Douglas Merrill went from the ecstasy of Google to the agony of EMI-- and, in this talk, he shares everything he learned about the two wildly different cultures, and what each says about innovation. When EMI Group's New Music Department wanted to take on Apple, it hired Merrill as its COO. Despite having great talent, deep pockets, and innovative ideas, EMI ultimately lost the digital music war. Why? Merrill explains that, though Google and EMI were equally innovative, it was Google who had a culture of experimentation and implementation--and that's the real difference. Innovation isn't a panacea; it's only one part of a more comprehensive process. In this ambitious and enthralling talk, Merrill articulates why culture and strategy are what transform innovative ideas into revolutionary products.