EXCLUSIVE: Myspace - Relevant and Reinvented

Culled from BET NEWS

Last Wednesday (Jun. 12) the first commercial for an updated Myspace hit airwaves, announcing the official debut of the reintroduction of the platform, and creating quite a buzz among other social media sites. The spot featured Mac Miller, Pharrell, ScHoolBoy Q, Chance the Rapper and a host of other artists.

With a new look, new team and an unparalleled focus on the arts, it's clear that this is not your older brother's Myspace.

The site is looking to change the way fans experience music and to imbue artists with the power to help themselves ascend to the next level, whether they are already a megastar (like the site's part owner, Justin Timberlake) or a new artist.

"From a fan's standpoint we want to empower them and we want to provide access to all of the artists they want to be able to reach in a really powerful and compelling way," noted Christian Parkes, the site's VP of Global Marketing. "And there isn't really a platform out that brings all of the different components together in a single place."

"From the artist's standpoint, the new Myspace allows a new way to showcase their music to their already existing fan base while also reaching some new ones. If you're coming to the platform we want to help you get to the next level," said Parkes. Adding, Myspace should help you get to that next level exactly the same we can help artists in the creative community build and get to that next step."

Though it's only been a week, the team is more than pleased with the initial response to the commercial and the new platform. "Phenomenal," exclaimed Parkes, referring to the impact of the first week. "The people are signing up, which is exactly what we wanted and then everything from a sentiment standpoint has been really, really positive and so immediate."

And as for the artists in the commercial, they were not only endorsers; they're also some of the first members of the new Myspace. "The artists that were featured in the commercial, they're actually the first people to share it," remarked Parkes

One artist not in the commercial was Justin Timberlake, who has mostly been in the background since taking on his new role as part owner. But Parkes insists the multi-talented megastar has a hand in every decision.

"Everything that we create, everything that we put out, we share with him and we build with him. We make sure that we get his approval, and we'd be fools not to," Parkes exclaimed. "He's so talented and incredibly accomplished. He's absolutely present," he added.

For hip hop fans, Myspace was quick to embrace one of the genre's more unique promotional tools, having already released an exclusive mixtape by Hit-Boy. And Parkes assures it's just the beginning. "You'll see a lot more material and programs in the coming weeks," he said.

Whether you're a fanatic of the arts or you just always want to find the next big thing in the arts before the public gets a hold of them, the new Myspace aims to be your window into the creative universe.