Published: June 29, 2011
Specific Media Acquires Myspace
IRVINE, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Specific
Media, a digital media company, today announced its acquisition of
Myspace, a leading social networking destination for consumers,
celebrities and artists. As part of the deal, Emmy and Grammy winning
artist Justin Timberlake will also take an ownership stake and play a
major role in developing the creative direction and strategy for the
company moving forward. Specific Media and Timberlake plan to unveil
their vision for the site in an exclusive press conference later this
summer.
"There's a need for a place where fans can go to interact with their
favorite entertainers, listen to music, watch videos, share and discover
cool stuff and just connect. Myspace has the potential to be that
place," says Timberlake. "Art is inspired by people and vice versa, so
there's a natural social component to entertainment. I'm excited to help
revitalize Myspace by using its social media platform to bring artists
and fans together in one community."
Myspace has created a robust social networking infrastructure that
connects people with the artists and content they love. Specific Media
and Timberlake plan to evolve Myspace into the premiere digital
destination for original shows, video content and music.
Specific Media will also leverage the Myspace social networking
infrastructure to deploy socially-activated advertising campaigns,
enabling brands to turn their campaigns viral by allowing users to share
their favorite ads with friends.
Brothers Tim, Chris and Russell Vanderhook founded Specific Media in
1999 to address the needs of the burgeoning online advertising space.
Since then, the company has developed into one of the world's largest
online advertising companies, with capabilities spanning addressable
advertising, original programming and cross-media distribution. By
bringing its advertising technology and Fortune 500 client base to
Myspace, Specific Media is creating a digital hub where consumers,
content and brands connect based on mutual interest and relevance.
"We're thrilled about the opportunity to rebuild and reinvigorate
Myspace," said Tim Vanderhook, CEO of Specific Media. "We look forward
to partnering with someone as talented as Justin Timberlake, who will
lead the business strategy with his creative ideas and vision for
transforming Myspace. This is the next chapter of digital media, and we
are excited to have a hand in writing the script."
As part of the agreement, News Corporation will take a minority equity
stake in Specific Media. Additional terms of the agreement are
confidential and will not be disclosed.
About Myspace
Myspace, Inc. is a leading social entertainment destination powered by
the passions of fans. Aimed at a Gen Y audience, Myspace drives social
interaction by providing a highly personalized experience around
entertainment and connecting people to the music, celebrities, TV,
movies, and games that they love. These entertainment experiences are
available through multiple platforms, including online, mobile devices,
and offline events.
Myspace is also the home of Myspace Music, which offers an ever-growing
catalogue of freely streamable audio and video content to users and
provides major, independent, and unsigned artists alike with the tools
to reach new audiences. The company is headquartered in Beverly Hills,
CA.
http://www.myspace.com/pressroom/
About Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is an actor-singer/songwriter/producer, and
entrepreneur. He has become an accomplished artist who is now
widely-considered one of pop culture's most influential entertainers.
Timberlake came to fame as a member of the pop group, *NSYNC and,
through a successful solo career, has gone on to win six Grammy Awards,
two Emmy Awards and dozens of accolades from around the world. As an
entrepreneur, Timberlake co-created the popular denim lifestyle brand,
William Rast; launched a spirits company with 901 Silver Tequila; runs
the Tennman Records label and founded the award-winning Mirimichi Golf
course located outside Memphis, TN.
About Specific Media
Specific Media is a digital media company driving viewership for content
owners, engagement for brands and relevance for consumers. With
capabilities spanning original programming, cross-channel distribution
and addressable advertising, the company connects audiences, content and
brands, adding meaning to each touch-point. As people discover new ways
to consume content, Specific Media creates impactful media experiences
no matter where they are.
www.specificmedia.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6778952&lang=en

Sparkpr for Specific Media
Meredith Obendorfer, 415-321-1882
Meredith@sparkpr.com
or
Specific
Media
Neda Azarfar, 949-861-2045
nazarfar@specificmedia.com
or
PR
for Justin Timberlake
M2M Construction
Sonia Muckle
Sonia@m2mconstruction.com
or
News
Corporation
Dan Berger, 310-369-1274
dberger@newscorp.com
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