Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Reinvention of the first Social Network

by Teresa Ciancinino

It is no secret that we live in the digital age. Today we are connected every possible way. We have iPods with Wi-Fi, smart phones with the Internet at the touch of our fingertips, wireless Internet hubs that can be accessed from the most remote locations. The last ten years have brought the information super highway into the forefronts of everyone’s lives and has made social media the hottest new thing to become involved with.

We all remember Myspace, it seems like just yesterday my best friend was forcing me create a profile and become another Myspace addict. Almost a decade has gone by since Myspace debuted and it is no longer the giant of social networks, Facebook is now the dominant site for keeping in touch with friends. Myspace, however, is not content with taking the backseat to this whirlwind obsession that has become Facebook. 

Myspace was once a destination for up and coming musicians, and thanks to Justin Timberlake and the Specific Media Company, it will once again try and play a pivotal role in the entertainment industry. Myspace was bought for a mere $35 million from NewsCorp, owned by Rupert Murdoch.

The idea is to reinvent what is already in place and turn Myspace into a celebrity-driven entertainment destination, hence where Justin Timberlake comes in. Specific Media is insistent that artists such as Timberlake are eager to have a place where they can post original content, and where fans can have it more readily accessible.

Facebook would no longer be competition, but rather, the two sites would compliment each other; artists will be able to manage their Facebook sites from their Myspace profiles.

No specific plans have been released for the exact idea and design behind the ever-changing site, but the ultimate goal is to turn the failed social network site into a "premiere digital destination" for original shows, video content and music.” Sounds like another Youtube; guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the future brings.

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