Latest news with #JamilGhani
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon Prime's VP knows you're sharing accounts—but for now he's holding off a Netflix-style crackdown
is aware that some customers are sharing Prime accounts beyond their households, but rather than enforcing strict measures like competitors such as Netflix and Disney, it is focusing on encouraging individuals to get their own memberships. Amazon knows some of its customers are gaming the Prime system. The tech giant is well aware that a portion of orders aren't just placed by people who aren't the account holder; they're placed by customers who don't even live under the same roof. While Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime, says that's not how the service is intended to be used, he's trying to encourage individuals to create their own accounts instead of outright banning the habit. So far, Prime stands out as one of the few major services in the subscription space that hasn't cracked down hard on account sharing. Netflix announced its intention to ban password sharing in May 2023, writing to customers that if they wanted to share accounts with people outside their homes, they would have to transfer the account or add a new user. Disney followed suit in September 2024, saying its + subscription service 'cannot be shared outside of your household.' Likewise, Warner Bros Discovery confirmed in December that its Max streaming service would start 'some very early, gentle messaging' about password sharing. Amazon, which offers Prime streaming as part of a wider package that includes speedy deliveries on everything from groceries to apparel, promotions and discounts, and reading and gaming benefits, has thus far favored a more carrot-than-stick approach. Speaking to Fortune in an exclusive interview, Ghani said he had nothing 'official' to share on the issue of account sharing. While not ruling out potential action, Ghani added: 'Prime is meant for the household. Our membership is different to a lot of other memberships in that it is purposely meant for household individuals living together. 'That could be a family, that could be adults cohabitating, whatever, but because of the nature of the benefits themselves, you don't often just shop for yourself. When you're living with other people, you shop for the household.' But the executive, named one of Fortune's 25 Most Powerful Rising Executives in the Fortune 500, added: 'We are also aware that folks are sharing beyond that audience.' While the move to crackdown on password sharing initially infuriated users, it proved something of a goldmine for platforms themselves. In the final quarter of 2024, the most recent data available, Netflix confirmed it had added 19 million users, increasing global paying membership by approximately 41 million over the year prior. Revenue in Q125 hit $10.5 billion, up 12.5% year-on-year, and is expected to hit $11 billion by Q2. Of course, Amazon's Prime isn't merely a streaming service. First and foremost, it offers one-day delivery options and same-day options for some zip codes. In some cases, Ghani added, work carried out on Amazon's supply chain means some deliveries are now made within mere hours. On top of that, while the Prime business is integral to the Amazon brand, it also slots into a much wider picture of a Big Tech titan with a market cap of $2.2 trillion. Amazon's other interests encapsulate cloud computing platform Amazon Web Services (AWS), online retail stores, and healthcare—with endeavors into artificial intelligence also taking centre stage on more recent earnings call. As such, in context, Amazon has less to gain or lose by changing its account policies than other models. That being said, it would be a tough call for any business to ignore the potential of a password-sharing ban when it has worked out well for competitors. Ghani outlined the plan for Prime at present is to encourage people to sign up for their own accounts by making it as convenient and affordable as possible. Ghani told Fortune: 'We're relaunching the Prime young adult program which is all the benefits of Prime and more for folks that are [aged] 18 to 24. 'That is a good example of easing that transition from maybe being on your parent's account to having your own account and all the benefits that come with it: Your own payment instruments, your own personalization history, your own order history, your own privacy. 'Same thing for folks that are on eligible forms of government assistance. We have Prime Access, which is a 50% off program for folks who find themselves on hard times.' With consumers battling an uncertain economic outlook, the challenge for Ghani is to maintain value in customers' eyes. 'We want all of our customers to experience Prime because we do think it's the best way to be an Amazon customer, and we're making it easier and easier for members to … have a direct relationship of their own,' he said. This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon's Grubhub deal is delivering big results
Amazon and Grubhub are entering the second year of a five-year commercial agreement that gives Amazon Prime members access to the food delivery platform's subscription program at no extra cost. Tesla's Cybertruck is officially a flop House Republicans just gutted the IRA. What happened to all the supposed holdouts? Trump's 4,000 meme-coins-per-plate crypto dinner is an American embarrassment As part of the deal, Grubhub's ordering tab was integrated directly into the Amazon app and website, allowing users to order burritos while shopping for face wash or streaming a show. That seamless experience appears to be paying off, say company executives. 'Amazon Prime customers are a very engaged customer cohort,' says Jamil Ghani, Amazon's worldwide vice president of Prime. More than nine out of 10 orders on or in the app are coming from Prime members returning to the order experience, the company says. Amazon plans to add food delivery through its Alexa+ service later this year, Ghani says. The collaboration arrives at a time when many companies are enhancing their subscription offerings. Amazon is competing with loyalty programs from Walmart and Target, hoping that added perks like Grubhub+ increase the appeal of its $139-a-year Prime membership. Amazon reported better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter of this year, though it is one of the many retailers caught up in President Donald Trump's aggressive tariffs. Shares of the company were up almost 11% from this time a year ago, though they've decreased 7.8% year to date. 'The main benefit to Amazon of the Grubhub partnership is that it helps underscore the value of Prime outside all the benefits Amazon offers via its own services,' GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders tells Fast Company. 'Grubhub is a very complimentary service as meal delivery and pickup is not something Amazon does itself.' Grubhub operates in the same competitive space as Uber Eats and DoorDash—both of which also have loyalty programs bolstered by third-party deals, with companies like Delta and Chase, respectively. Although Grubhub's market share has declined steadily since 2021, integration with Amazon has introduced the platform to new users and increased awareness of Grubhub+. 'Grubhub's been on a mission over the last couple of years to transform our value proposition, adding more restaurants, better service,' says Grubhub CEO Howard Migdal. 'Ever since the partnership started one year ago, we've sort of step changed the value proposition to customers once again.' A Grubhub+ membership otherwise costs $120 a year and gives users $0 delivery fees and lower service fees. The companies claim that Prime members who use the service 'save an average of $300 per year.' Amazon declined to share specific numbers on signups, but the company said there's a more than 50% year-over-year increase in Grubhub+ signups since it integrated the platform 'For Grubhub, the partnership expands the audience and the number or orders it fulfills,' Saunders says. 'Amazon has a huge reach and Grubhub has been able to tap into this.' This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Sign in to access your portfolio
Fast Company
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Amazon's Grubhub deal is delivering big results
Amazon and Grubhub are entering the second year of a five-year commercial agreement that gives Amazon Prime members access to the food delivery platform's subscription program at no extra cost. As part of the deal, Grubhub's ordering tab was integrated directly into the Amazon app and website, allowing users to order burritos while shopping for face wash or streaming a show. That seamless experience appears to be paying off, say company executives. 'Amazon Prime customers are a very engaged customer cohort,' says Jamil Ghani, Amazon's worldwide vice president of Prime. More than nine out of 10 orders on or in the app are coming from Prime members returning to the order experience, the company says. Amazon plans to add food delivery through its Alexa+ service later this year, Ghani says. THIRD PARTY BOOST The collaboration arrives at a time when many companies are enhancing their subscription offerings. Amazon is competing with loyalty programs from Walmart and Target, hoping that added perks like Grubhub+ increase the appeal of its $139-a-year Prime membership. Amazon reported better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter of this year, though it is one of the many retailers caught up in President Donald Trump's aggressive tariffs. Shares of the company were up almost 11% from this time a year ago, though they've decreased 7.8% year to date. 'The main benefit to Amazon of the Grubhub partnership is that it helps underscore the value of Prime outside all the benefits Amazon offers via its own services,' GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders tells Fast Company. 'Grubhub is a very complimentary service as meal delivery and pickup is not something Amazon does itself.' Grubhub operates in the same competitive space as Uber Eats and DoorDash—both of which also have loyalty programs bolstered by third-party deals, with companies like Delta and Chase, respectively. Although Grubhub's market share has declined steadily since 2021, integration with Amazon has introduced the platform to new users and increased awareness of Grubhub+. A Grubhub+ membership otherwise costs $120 a year and gives users $0 delivery fees and lower service fees. The companies claim that Prime members who use the service 'save an average of $300 per year.' Amazon declined to share specific numbers on signups, but the company said there's a more than 50% year-over-year increase in Grubhub+ signups since it integrated the platform 'For Grubhub, the partnership expands the audience and the number or orders it fulfills,' Saunders says. 'Amazon has a huge reach and Grubhub has been able to tap into this.'
Free Malaysia Today
02-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
S'wak licensing rule for Carigali ‘confrontational', sets ‘dangerous precedent', says analyst
Sarawak says Petronas Carigali's Miri Crude Oil Terminal (MCOT) must be licensed under the state's Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016, failing which financial penalties will be imposed. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Sarawak's attempt to compel Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd to obtain a licence from the state for its Miri operations sets a 'dangerous precedent' in oil and gas governance across the country, says an analyst. Earlier today, Utusan Malaysia reported that Sarawak's utility and telecommunication ministry had, in a letter dated April 30, accused the Petronas subsidiary of violating Section 7(e) of the state's Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (DGO). In the letter, Carigali was accused of operating its Miri Crude Oil Terminal (MCOT) without a state licence and given 21 days to rectify the matter, failing which it would face financial penalties under Section 21A. Jamil Ghani, formerly of the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation, warned that the move could lead to an unmanageable federal-state regulatory overlap. Jamil Ghani. 'The MCOT facility has been operating under federal mandate for decades. If even Petronas now needs to apply for a state licence, what stops other states from demanding the same? This sets a dangerous precedent. 'You're looking at a scenario where every state might start creating its own terms. That's a regulatory nightmare,' he told FMT. Jamil also said the letter undermined the essence of a federal-state agreement announced earlier this year. 'What the prime minister outlined in Parliament was a balanced arrangement where federal and state laws would coexist. This letter feels like a shift – from coexistence to confrontation,' he said. On Feb 17, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Parliament that the federal and Sarawak governments had agreed on several key principles regarding gas governance in the state. Among them, it was acknowledged that the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA) would remain the overarching law as regards oil and gas activities across the country, including in Sarawak. Meanwhile, the state's aspiration to regulate downstream gas through the DGO was recognised. It was also agreed that Petronas and its subsidiaries would retain all existing contractual obligations, including long-standing international supply agreements. Petronas entities were also exempted from having to obtain additional licences to conduct its operations in Sarawak beyond those outlined in the PDA. Jamil said the deal was intended to ensure stability. 'It was meant to settle the issue – Petronas is governed by federal law (and) the DGO was to be read together with the PDA, not in opposition to it. It was about recognising Sarawak's role without undermining Petronas' legal footing. 'So when Sarawak turns around and says: 'You now need a licence or we'll fine you', it creates confusion,' he said. Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has insisted that the state has full authority over gas distribution activities within its borders. He said any arrangement entered with Petronas must not 'adversely affect the role of Petros as gas aggregator' or conflict with state law. He also said Sarawak's resources 'must be managed according to the laws passed by the Sarawak legislative assembly.' Beyond legal concerns, Jamil said the ongoing dispute was sending the wrong signals to investors. 'Investors are watching this closely. If federal and state authorities are pulling in different directions, it undermines confidence in Malaysia's energy governance.' The situation, if left unresolved, could escalate into a constitutional test case, he said. 'If Petronas challenges the enforcement in court, the judiciary will have to interpret whether the PDA overrides the DGO or vice versa. That would set a precedent for all oil-producing states.' While Petronas has not responded publicly to the April 30 letter, sources familiar with the matter said the company was quietly engaging both federal and state officials to avoid escalation. Jamil said only a joint federal-state clarification was necessary to restore confidence. 'There needs to be a clear, unified statement from both governments to clarify what was agreed. This isn't just about a licence – it's about protecting legal certainty in one of Malaysia's most important sectors. 'At stake is not just compliance with a state ordinance, but the very foundation of how Malaysia manages its oil and gas resources under a federal system. That cannot be left ambiguous,' he said.
