China’s Tencent: Leading the way in monetizing platforms
Worldwide, there is no parallel comparison to China’s Tencent Holdings. The $22 billion tech giant is a collective answer to Facebook, WhatsApp, Spotify, Kindle, Skype, Pinterest, Apple Pay and others. This case explains how Tencent built a digital platform business from scratch over a period of nearly two decades. Undoubtedly, it gained significant benefits from being an early mover in developing a massive one-billion-strong user base on its gaming and messaging platforms. However, what is exceptional about Tencent is that it has been able to successfully monetize its social audience at scale – a tough challenge for most digital platform companies. Tencent’s double digit growth boosted investor confidence that the company would continue to tap the spending power of its users while leveraging the growth potential of its still-nascent advertising and payments businesses. Could the most valuable company in Asia, continue to meet shareholder expectations in 2017 and beyond?
- To illustrate the organizational challenges in large,
- Understand the platform business model compared to the traditional pipeline business model
- Recognize how network effects create value on a platform
- Examine the three types of value that digital disruptors deliver – cost value, experience value and platform value
- Comprehend the challenges in monetizing platforms effectively
Tencent, Information Technology, Internet, Information Technology, Social Networking
2016 - 2017
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]
Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

ABB CEO Morten Wierod on leaner cleaner strategy, electrification, automation, robotics, AI, digital transformation, sustainability, leadership.

Unlock hidden potential with the empty chair technique. Learn to face your shadow, harness its energy and boost personal and professional growth.

ABB CEO Morten Wierod on leaner cleaner strategy, electrification, automation, robotics, AI, digital transformation, sustainability, leadership.

AI: the key to human-centered business, helping scale empathy, break silos, and expand reach through purposeful and people-focused implementation.

OpenAI’s new paper shows AI hallucination is inevitable. Discover how Gödel’s paradox reshapes AI strategy and leadership for 2026 and beyond.

Explore the truth behind leadership personality and success. Learn how to harness your traits to shape the leader you want to become.

$124tn wealth transfer is reshaping family enterprises. Discover six steps to succession that prepare and engage the next generation of owners.

New ideas behind innovative business models can feel sudden, but are rarely random. Innovation happens when you reframe challenges and opportunities.

How Maersk is rewriting the rules of shipping decarbonization – through collaboration, purpose, and placing big bets on the fuels of the future.

Discover how a skills-powered approach helps businesses boost agility, reskill talent, and match employees’ capabilities to evolving work needs.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications