Netflix opens new European customer service hub
David Farnor | On 12, May 2017
Netflix has opened a new customer service hub in Amsterdam.
The streaming giant, which has expanded around the world to reach 100 million subscribers, has staunchly remained based in the US, avoiding adding a new presence on international turf. Now, though, Netflix is heading to the continent, with a new hub that support customers across 11 European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the UK).
The multilingual hub will employ initially a workforce of 170, growing to 345 by the end of 2017 and surpassing 400 by the end of 2018.
Amsterdam is the location also of Netflix’s recently expanded European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters, which has doubled its workforce since the beginning of 2016. More than 120 employees from 18 countries work at the EMEA HQ in business development, marketing, PR, public policy and corporate functions such as finance, legal and recruiting.
The ongoing expansion of Netflix’s workforce in Europe complements the company’s ever-growing investment in European productions (licensed, original and co-productions). Indeed, Netflix has invested more than $1.75 billion in European productions since 2012, including more than 90 original productions in various stages of development.
Last month, Netflix launched Las Chicas del Cable, Netflix’s first original series from Spain, which has already been renewed for a second season. In the last month, meanwhile, Netflix announced two new European original projects: Dogs of Berlin and a new French original, called Osmosis. At least four more new European original projects are expected to be announced before the end of 2017.
“We are delighted to announce the creation of jobs in Europe and the opening of our new customer service hub in Amsterdam, as well as two new European original series. Europe is a creative centre for great storytelling that resonates around the world and we continue to invest in European content,” says Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and CEO.
“The decision by Netflix to add a customer support centre along with its EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam illustrates that our business climate is exactly what leading companies are seeking when investing in their future,” adds Jeroen Nijland, Commissioner for Foreign Investment, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). “The Netherlands’ fast internet speeds, e-commerce strengths and multilingual talent pool make our country a great match for the Netflix expansion to support its rapidly growing European market.”