Improve Netflix for $1M

Netflix is offering a cool one million dollars to help them with their advertising. Ok, not exactly, but they're offering it for improvements to their recommendation engine. What used to be the work of computer scientist in the back room near the servers is being offered to young, up-and-coming engineers and marketers.

"The prize, offered in a contest beginning Monday, is part of Netflix's effort to sharpen its competitive edge as it continues a bitter duel with Blockbuster Inc. and prepares for an anticipated onslaught of services that make it easier to download movies onto computer hard drives."

I'd guess maybe iTunes is threatening to do to Netflix what Netflix is trying to do to Blockbuster.

So here's my own contest for a two dollars off coupon at Pizza Hut. What should I do with my VCR and all my old tapes? (Email chaosscenario@yahoo.com if you don't know what a VCR is.)

(via The Agency Blog)

- Paul Herring