An Odd 'Business'

Had lunch today with a leading publisher and found myself asking aloud: Is there another for-profit business in which the consumer provides the main value, but does not provide the main revenues? In the vast majority of businesses, the company need worry primarily in its daily operations about satisfying the needs of the people consuming the product, be it hamburgers, cars or cranes.

But in media, it's an odd triangle of presenting a product the consumer wants, then delivering that consumer via ads to the real PAYING customer, and yet that paying customer can exercise influence (often very minimal) but not control.

So, is there any other such business? Help me out, here.

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