When This 8 Year Old Kid Changed The History Of LEGO
Education
Introduction
Fifteen years ago, a young boy named Jake found himself at the center of an unexpected legal battle that would ultimately change the course of LEGO history. Using an old-school camcorder, Jake created a movie featuring LEGO pieces and shared it on YouTube. However, LEGO took notice and decided to sue him, claiming that his use of their designs without permission violated their copyright.
At that time, a new CEO had recently joined LEGO, fresh from consulting firm McKinsey. Upon reviewing the lawsuit, he was taken aback. Why, he wondered, were they suing an 8-year-old child? He soon discovered that Jake had made the movie simply because he wanted to express how every LEGO user possesses a unique imagination. Inspired by this conversation, the CEO opted to discontinue the lawsuit.
The CEO invited Jake, the budding filmmaker, to fly from the United States to LEGO's headquarters in Billund, Denmark. When they met, Jake explained his creative motivations, emphasizing the limitless potential of imagination when it comes to LEGO. Impressed by Jake’s passion, the CEO then made a surprising offer: he would send Jake LEGO sets for an entire year, and he wanted Jake to become a part of their Innovation Team.
Thus began an extraordinary journey. At just 8 years old, Jake joined LEGO’s Innovation Team, where his fresh perspective and creative ideas began to shape the future of the company. One of his earliest contributions was a project related to LEGO movies. This initiative led to a collaboration with Walt Disney, and soon after, LEGO movies became a sensation.
Today, if you examine LEGO’s income statements, you will find that their fastest-growing revenue line and largest contributor to net profit is none other than LEGO movies. What started as a child's creative endeavor turned into a significant and profitable part of the LEGO brand, rewriting the narrative of how the company engages with its fans and customers.
Jake's story is not just about a young boy and LEGO; it's a testament to creativity, innovation, and the importance of nurturing imagination in the pursuit of success.
Keywords
- LEGO
- Jake
- lawsuit
- innovation
- imagination
- LEGO movies
- Walt Disney
- revenue
- profit
FAQ
Q1: Who is Jake in relation to LEGO?
A1: Jake is an 8-year-old boy who created a LEGO movie that led to a lawsuit from LEGO, which was ultimately scrapped by a new CEO who recognized Jake's creativity.
Q2: What was the outcome of the lawsuit against Jake?
A2: The lawsuit was discontinued, and Jake was invited to LEGO headquarters in Denmark where he became a part of their Innovation Team.
Q3: How did Jake influence LEGO's business?
A3: Jake contributed to the development of LEGO movies, which became a significant revenue source for the company, partnering with Walt Disney in the process.
Q4: What is LEGO's fastest-growing revenue line today?
A4: LEGO movies have emerged as the fastest-growing revenue line and the largest contributor to LEGO's net profit.