The unstoppable juggernaut that is MySpace.com is about to target a new
area.
Right now it's commonly accepted, certainly in the UK, that MySpace can help
to break a band and bring it to the attention of thousands. Witness The Arctic
Monkeys debut No.1 single, for example.
The new target? Comedy.
The website, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, said it has launched
the biggest online community of comedians. It has also announced a partnership
with comedy club chain The Improv.
The site will now feature a dedicated Comedy area, including places to post
tour dates, video and audio files and will provide a way for comedians to speak
directly with fans.
Of course, comedians could do all of that anyway if they had their own
website, and indeed many have done. However, MySpace is going to provide a cheap
and simple way for comedians to network together.
And at least MySpace is being honest about the whole thing, quite openly
admitting that one of the main reasons it is diversifying is to attract big
advertisers.
