MySpace Slashing 2/3 of International Staff

Tom's salary isn't the only thing being cut by MySpace, as the social-networking site is slashing its international staff from 450 to 150 and shuttering at least four offices abroad, as reported in paidContent:UK. MySpace intends to run its international operations from "primary regional hubs" in London, Berlin and Sydney, and MySpace China will be unaffected, as will its joint venture in Japan. However, offices in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Sweden and Spain are "under review for possible restructure," the company said in a release. The fate of international managing director Travis Katz was still unknown, as Mediaweek and TechCrunch reported his departure, but MySpace wouldn't comment. In the release, MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta said: With roughly half of MySpace's total user base coming from outside the U.S., maintaining productive and efficient operations in our international markets is important to users worldwide and our immediate financial strength. As we conducted our review of the company, it was clear that internationally, just as in the U.S., MySpace's staffing had become too big and cumbersome to be sustainable in current market conditions. Today's proposed changes are designed to transform and refine our international growth strategy. And in a memo to staff, obtained by TechCrunch, Van Natta added: We are focusing on London, Berlin and Sydney for two very simple reasons: (1) these are markets where we have a lot of MySpace users, as well as the resources to allow us to compete effectively; and (2) these are major international commerce centers where a robust MySpace presence can help our company develop new and innovative business partnerships. Our goal to tap into as many international markets as possible drove us to create too many offices around the globe, and with them came inefficiencies. Under the new plan, we will refocus our efforts on regional business partnerships and integration in a smaller number of territories, while retaining a robust international presence. We remain steadfast in our commitment to reaching a global audience.

Social Pro Daily

MySpace Slashing 2/3 of International Staff

David Cohen

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

David Cohen