Los Angeles, CA, April 27, 2009 –
News Corporation today announced an expansion of MySpace’s management team
with two key new hires. Michael Jones has been named Chief Operating Officer
and Jason Hirschhorn has been named Chief Product Officer, effective
immediately. Mr. Jones and Mr. Hirschhorn will be based in Los Angeles and
report to MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta.
Jones has founded and operated several online businesses, including
Userplane, a leading provider of tools for online communities such as
MySpace. Userplane was acquired in 2006 by AOL, where Jones subsequently
served as a senior vice president and focused on social media monetization
and also pioneered the distribution of widgets and other technology to Web
publishers. Most recently, he was the founder and CEO of Tsavo Media, an
online content and search network developing next-generation publishing
platforms and technology services.
Hirschhorn has led both start-up and established online businesses. Most
recently, he was president of Sling Media, Inc’s Entertainment Group, which
created consumer-driven applications and services for the Slingbox device.
Previously, he was chief digital officer at MTV Networks, where he oversaw
the company’s digital media businesses, products and strategies. Hirschhorn
joined MTV Networks following the acquisition of his company, Mischief New
Media, which provided interactive services to the entertainment industry.
“Michael’s operational insight and knowledge of the social media market will
prove to be a valuable asset as we set out to evolve the MySpace product
offering,” said Jon Miller, chief digital officer, News Corporation. “From a
product perspective, there’s no better choice than Jason, who is highly
regarded as an incredibly talented innovator, media executive and leader,
all qualities I know will greatly benefit our team and our users.”
“We were attracted to Michael’s unique background in building and operating
successful businesses that fall directly in our sweet spot, and I look
forward to leveraging his skill set as we further refine and shape the
MySpace vision,” said Mr. Van Natta. “Jason’s reputation for creating
compelling consumer experiences that leverage the intersection of
technology, design and media is unmatched and we’re excited to have him join
us.”
“I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to build upon the successes of
the company’s founders and am eager to work with Owen and Jon and the rest
of the incredible management team at MySpace as we enter this exciting new
phase in the company’s already revered history,” said Mr. Jones. Mr.
Hirschhorn continued, “MySpace is one of the most alluring innovations of
our time and I am honored to collaborate with Tom Anderson and the rest of
the MySpace team to take what is already a stellar product into its next
evolution.”
News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets as of
December 31, 2008 of approximately US$50 billion and total annual revenues
of approximately US$33 billion. News Corporation is a diversified global
media company with operations in eight industry segments: filmed
entertainment; television; cable network programming; direct broadcast
satellite television; magazines and inserts; newspapers and information
services; book publishing; and other. The activities of News Corporation are
conducted principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United
Kingdom, Australia, Asia and Latin America.
Contact:
Julie Henderson 310-369-0773
Teri Everett 212-852-7070
Dani Dudeck 310-969-7148