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Justin Timberlake Can Save MySpace

posted on July 1, 2011


People don’t give Justin Timberlake enough credit. One day after the announcement that he bought a stake in MySpace, the snark began. Some felt that he was taking his role in The Social Network too much to heart, while others just can’t get past his rep as a teen idol.

Yes, Timberlake rose to fame as a member of a boy band but don’t hold that against him. He’s a real smart cookie, who has reinvented himself as a solo artist, an actor and comedian. He’s also an entrepreneur with a clothing line and a restaurant, so buying a share of the ailing social media site isn’t that big of a reach for the pop star.

Timberlake said in a statement;

“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. Art is inspired by people and vice versa, so there’s a natural social component to entertainment.”

It sure seemed like this is where MySpace was headed after their last round of improvements, but they only succeeded in making the site more cumbersome and cluttered.

New owners, Specific Media, say that Timberlake isn’t a silent partner. He’s fully invested in making the site over and will be actively involved in the relaunch. if that’s so, then MySpace has a real chance. Here’s why. Look at Justin Timberlake’s work on Saturday Night Live. He’s been one of the highlights of the past few years, creating characters that people remember and videos that have reached new viral heights. He’s not afraid to wear a giant cup of soup costume or dress in a leotard and heels for the sake of entertainment. He’s fine with poking fun at himself and he doesn’t mind pushing the boundaries.

He has an eye for what people want, he’s charismatic, and with his entertainment contacts, he can bring in the exclusive materials MySpace needs to become a first-stop destination.

Can Justin Timberlake bring sexy back to MySpace? You bet he can. Just watch and see.

 


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  • http://xhibitswebdesign.com souleye

    thank you for your article. I don’t know what justin can or cannot do. people tend to attribute myspace demise to the rise of facebook but I’m one for thinking that myspace’s woes started with such a cluttered interface that went so far into customizing that pages took so long to load that it was a painful experience just checking someone out. if they had more focus on that, maybe things could’ve been different. did they ask consumers what their expectations were? at any rate, until that major issue is address, no amount of timberlake will be enough to save them from further decline.

  • http://www.dippinslash.com/ Dippin Slash

    Justin Timberlake is acting like Sean Parker in real life now. I hope his decisions will bring him and MySpace to success.

  • http://www.gadgetkings.nl Gadget Kings

    The influence of just one guy! And the played also in the Facobook movie! :-)

  • http://www.chipsouza.com Chip Souza

    I think that’s great. MySpace has always been a prime social network for the Arts, Musicians, and Music. If Justin can help to underscore that core competency, then MySpace will have what Facebook will never have: Membership Passion, not just membership utility, which is Facebook’s strong suit.
    The kind of members that MySpace attracts are Musicians and Artists, and they like to connect with other Musicians & Artists… I just don’t think Facebook is the best venue for that purpose.
    Which brings me to the purpose.
    Each social network that is out there will serve a purpose, and attract a specific, more defined group. That is why they all won’t die under one dominant Facebook platform.
    What FB did was make the McDonalds of social networks. But, as we all know, one cannot live on fast food alone.

  • http://blog.us.cision.com Ryo Yamaguchi

    Cynthia, thanks for this post–I completely agree, Justin Timberlake could be the perfect investor in MySpace. I agree with Chip Souza: MySpace has a core competency in arts and music that Facebook does not have, and given how niche and close to the ground arts and especially music have gotten, the rejection of MySpace and the snark has left a serious void. Like many, what I think they really need is a better design/UI approach. The idea is solid, as is the space they are attempting to own, but the execution is what has driven people away. Hopefully Timberlake will focus his efforts on that latter part.

  • http://www.wapit.eu Wapit

    I find it hard to believe, but we’ll see.

  • http://www.rxpillsstore.org/ Ed

    Good one Cynthia!

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