Last week, it was announced that Justin Timberlake had partnered with online ad network operator Specific Media, who recently purchased the social media site Myspace for $35 million, to become the new managers of the ailing website. And now, according to Timberlake’s longtime manager Johnny Wright, the singer is mulling over a talent show or some other artist development venture as the central focus for revamping Myspace.
“Whether it becomes a talent competition or something like that, those are things that we will still flesh out,” said Wright in a recent interview with Billboard. “We definitely want to bring the industry back to Myspace to really look at the talented people that have put their faces there.”
The new partnership deal was announced last Wednesday, June 29, after two weeks of rushed business dealings when Specific Media announced that they’d purchased Myspace from former owners News Corp.
Shortly after, Specific Media released a second statement revealing that Timberlake, who’d only completed the partnership deal 30 minutes prior, had become part owner and would act as a creative force in the revamping of Myspace, replete with his own staff.
“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,” said Timberlake in a statement announcing the move. “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. I’m excited to help revitalize Myspace by using its social media platform to bring artists and fans together in one community.”
According to Wright, Timberlake is already brimming with ideas for the Myspace revival, claiming the former N Sync front man sent him an excited email the day after the deal was completed.
“Are you up? My mind is going dizzy with ideas. I need to talk,” wrote Timberlake.
Timberlake and Specific Media will explain their plans for the future of Myspace at a press conference on Aug. 17. –nicholas robinson
