MTV the Next MySpace?
An interesting article in MediaWeek wonders whether MTV Networks might have plans to build a MySpace-like social network out of various properties it’s acquired lately, including things like Xfire and Neopets. While MTV’s still-in-alpha Virtual Laguna Beach isn’t mentioned by name in the article, it can only lend more weight to the theory, despite the fact that it doesn’t have much of a social-networking component — yet.
The MediaWeek writer doesn’t seem to be reading 3pointD, or he might have made more of the following, which is buried toward the end of the piece: “Rumors persist that Viacom is cooking up a social networking play of its own—perhaps melding that trend with the virtual reality phenomenon. [MTV Networks president Michael] Wolf wouldn’t get specific, but hinted something was in the works using avatars (virtual representations of people).” Taking Virtual Laguna Beach into the social networking space could be quite interesting. That’s one feature Second Life and other virtual worlds could benefit from, if you ask us.
Feeds
I originally predicted ( http://blog.rebang.com/?p=582 ) Xfire would be snatched up by AOL as part of its initiative. After that I kept tabs. So when MTV stepped in out of (what to was) the blue, it was pretty obvious they had some serious plans.
Pretty sad that a casual observer like myself can see the writing on the wall long before a writer for MediaWeek. If journalists feel threatened by bloggers, they might want to first ask why it is that they can’t figure these things out first. Any wonder why I rarely visit MSM sites anymore.
Mark > The MediaWeek writer doesn’t seem to be reading 3pointD, or he might have made more of the following…
Csven > Pretty sad that a casual observer like myself can see the writing on the wall long before a writer for MediaWeek.
Csven, don’t settle yourself short, man. You’re one of the best and brightest out there. They should be turning to you for insight on how the pieces are fitting together. *cough* blog.rebang.com
Social networks at MTV: http://www.liveworld.com/news/press/07.18.06.html