EECS 441 Myspace Preso

1. Alex Okros (akros)

2. Problem
• Sharing media with
friends is difficult
• You want to customize
your profile to reflect
“you”

3. Solution
• Highly customizable
profiles
• Focus on uploading media

4. Tom
• Creates music
• Enjoys hanging out with
friends
• Enjoys philosophy
• Limited free time

6. Myspace Popularity
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/06/myspacefb/351636/

7. Myspace Popularity
Source: Google Trends

8. Business
Model
• Myspace is designed to
give users the freedom to
express themselves
• Revenue solely from
advertisements
• No paid features
whatsoever

9. The Rise and Fall of Myspace
August
2003
Myspace Founded
by CEO Chris
DeWolfe and
Starting President
Tom Anderson
Chris DeWolfe
Rejects
Facebook Offer
of $75 Million
Februa
ry
2005
July
2005
April
2008
April
2009
News Corp.
Acquires
Myspace for
$580 Million
Facebook
Overtakes
Myspace in
Popularity
Tom Anderson
Steps Down as
President and Chris
DeWolfe is
Replaced by Owen
Van Natta
April
2009
Myspace
Acquired by
Specific Media
and Justin
Timberlake for
Approximately
$35 Million

10. Secret
Sauce
Freedom of Expression
• Profile pages can be customized with
HTML and CSS
• No paid services

11. Competition
Myspace Facebook Tumblr
Profile CSS
Styling
Media
Collections
Active
Users
Friend
Stream
Real Names

12. What
Caused The
Downfall of
Myspace?
Users weren’t required to
use their real names and
usernames were unique.
• Dan Brown
• DanBrown
• Dan.Brown
• DanTheMan
• DanAndFans
• MyspaceDan

13. What
Caused The
Downfall of
Myspace?
EXCESSIVE
ADVERTISEMENTS
!!!

14. What
Caused The
Downfall of
Myspace?
No User Protection
This Slide
Content Has
Been
Censored
For Immature
Audiences

15. What
Caused The
Downfall of
Myspace?
The Everything Website

16. Will
Myspace
Succeed?
No… Maybe?

17. Will
Myspace
Succeed?
No… Maybe?
• Cool Redesign
• Media Creator Focus
• Strong Media Based UI

18. Will
Myspace
Succeed?
No… Maybe?
• Still Buggy
• DMCA Problems
• Absence of Users

19. References
• https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/06/
myspacefb/351636/
• https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?
date=all&geo=US&q=%2Fm%2F02y1vz,%2Fm
%2F04ny5g
• https://www.pedestrian.tv/music/the-death-of-
myspace-a-former-employee-looks-back/
• https://expandedramblings.com/index.php/myspace-
stats-then-now/
• https://newscorp.com/2012/06/28/news-corporation-
announces-intent-to-pursue-separation-of-businesses-
to-enhance-strategic-alignment-and-increase-
operational-flexibility/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace
• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/06/
myspace-what-went-wrong-sean-percival-spotify
• https://www.lifewire.com/is-myspace-dead-3486012