When This 8 Year Old Kid Changed The History Of LEGO

Introduction

Fifteen years ago, a young boy named Jake embarked on a creative venture that would unknowingly alter the course of LEGO's history. Using an old-school camera, Jake created a movie featuring intricate scenes built from LEGO pieces. Eager to share his work, he uploaded the film to YouTube. However, LEGO took notice and controversially sued the young filmmaker, citing their proprietary designs.

The situation took a surprising turn with the arrival of a new CEO at LEGO, who previously worked at McKenzie. Upon reviewing the lawsuit, he expressed disbelief at the company’s actions against an eight-year-old child. He questioned why LEGO was intent on suing someone so young for simply showcasing his creativity.

Instead of continuing with the lawsuit, the new CEO invited Jake to LEGO's headquarters in Billund, Denmark. During their meeting, the young boy explained his motivation for making the movie: "Every single LEGO user has an imagination. I just exaggerated it and put it online." This heartfelt statement resonated with the CEO, leading to a significant pivot in LEGO's approach to creativity and innovation.

The new CEO offered Jake an exciting opportunity—he would receive LEGO sets for an entire year and could be part of LEGO's Innovation Team. This invitation marked the beginning of Jake’s official relationship with LEGO.

As part of the Innovation Team, one of Jake's notable projects focused on the creation of LEGO-themed movies. His efforts paid off greatly when LEGO signed a major deal with Walt Disney. Today, if you delve into LEGO's income statement, you'll find that the fastest-growing revenue line and most substantial contributor to their net profit comes from LEGO movies, not merely from the traditional plastic bricks.

Jake's story is a remarkable example of how a young child's passion and creativity could lead to industry-changing developments. Rather than stifling creativity, LEGO embraced it, resulting in a thriving new avenue that has significantly impacted its business model and success.

Keywords

• Jake
• LEGO
• Lawsuit
• Creative venture
• Innovation team
• LEGO movies
• Walt Disney
• Revenue growth
• Creativity

FAQ

Who is Jake?
Jake is a young boy who, at the age of eight, created a movie using LEGO pieces and posted it on YouTube.

What happened when LEGO sued Jake?
LEGO initially sued Jake for using their designs for his movie, but a new CEO later canceled the lawsuit after realizing the absurdity of suing a child.

What was the outcome of Jake's encounter with LEGO?
Instead of continuing with litigation, the CEO invited Jake to become part of LEGO’s Innovation Team and provided him with LEGO sets for a year.

What significant project did Jake work on?
Jake contributed to the development of LEGO-themed movies, which subsequently led to a partnership with Walt Disney.

What has been the impact of LEGO movies on the company?
LEGO movies have become the fastest-growing revenue line for the company and play a major role in its overall profitability.