Which vertical should be the focus for Facebook Watch? Why?

Certainly, I'll provide a detailed, strategic answer to the question about which vertical should be the focus for Facebook Watch, demonstrating deep product thinking and leadership. I'll use a first-person perspective as if I'm directly addressing the interviewer.

Introduction

The strategic problem at hand is determining the optimal vertical focus for Facebook Watch to drive growth and engagement. This decision is crucial for Facebook's content strategy and its position in the competitive streaming landscape. Our key business objectives likely include increasing user engagement, expanding our content library, and potentially creating new revenue streams.

To address this challenge, I'll follow these strategic steps:

1. Clarify our strategic goals
2. Analyze the market and competitive landscape
3. Define our product vision and roadmap
4. Prioritize strategic initiatives
5. Outline an execution plan and resource allocation
6. Establish metrics and KPIs
7. Develop a risk management and contingency plan

Let's begin by aligning on our strategic goals.

Step 1

Clarify the Strategic Goals (3-4 minutes)

• Based on Facebook's position in the social media landscape, I'm assuming Watch is part of a broader strategy to increase user engagement and time spent on the platform. Could you confirm if this is still the primary objective for Watch, or if there are other key goals we should consider?

Why it matters: This will help us determine if we should focus on content that drives frequent, short-form engagement or longer viewing sessions. Expected answer: Increasing user engagement remains a primary goal, but we're also looking to compete more directly with traditional streaming services. Impact on approach: If competing with streaming services is a priority, we may need to focus on verticals that support longer-form, premium content.

• Considering the evolving streaming market, where would you say Facebook Watch currently sits in its product lifecycle? Are we still in growth mode, or are we moving towards maturity and looking to solidify our position?

Why it matters: This will influence whether we prioritize rapid expansion or focus on refining our current offerings. Expected answer: We're in a growth phase but facing increased competition. Impact on approach: We might need to balance aggressive expansion in new verticals with strengthening our position in existing successful areas.

• Can you share insights into our current user demographics and engagement patterns? Are there specific audience segments we're particularly strong with or looking to grow?

Why it matters: Understanding our user base will help us identify verticals that align with their interests and behaviors. Expected answer: We have strong engagement with millennials and Gen Z, particularly around short-form and interactive content. Impact on approach: We might prioritize verticals that resonate with these demographics while also exploring opportunities to expand our appeal to other age groups.

• Given the competitive landscape with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and traditional streaming services, what do you see as Facebook Watch's unique value proposition or potential differentiator?

Why it matters: This will help us focus on verticals that leverage Facebook's unique strengths and ecosystem. Expected answer: Our social graph and ability to create interactive, community-driven viewing experiences. Impact on approach: We should prioritize verticals that can leverage social interactions and Facebook's community features.

Based on these insights, let's assume our key strategic goals are:

1. Increase user engagement and time spent on the platform
2. Expand our content library to compete more effectively with streaming services
3. Leverage Facebook's social graph and community features
4. Appeal to our core millennial and Gen Z audience while expanding to new demographics

With these goals in mind, let's move on to analyzing the market and competitive landscape.