The MySpace Music CEO Candidate Shortlist
Get ready to start hearing a lot about MySpace Music, a huge joint venture project between MySpace and the big music labels. One big question about the project remains: who will be the CEO of the new company. We’ve gathered a shortlist of candidates that MySpace has interviewed.
The project was first announced in April along with a related settlement with Universal Music over a copyright infringement lawsuit.
The project is on pace to launch in September, and MySpace is finalizing third party relationships. Amazon, for example, is likely to handle music download sales and fulfillment. Music download sales are just one revenue stream for the property. In addition to sales of DRM-free music (singles, albums, playlists), MySpace Music will likely also offer ring tones, concert tickets, merchandise (tshirts, etc.) and branded advertising campaigns.
Most aspects of the project are reportedly on pace for the launch, but MySpace has failed to find a CEO for the project. CEO Chris DeWolfe and COO Amit Kapur have been interviewing people since late 2007. Their top candidates (Ian Rogers and David Goldberg) bowed out early, and we’ve heard from sources close to MySpace that they’ve been unable to find the perfect candidate since then.
Here’s who we’ve confirmed MySpace has interviewed for the top job at MySpace Music:
Jim Bankoff
Michael Bloom
Michael Bloom is currently SVP & GM, Digital Media at MTV. He moved to run the Joint Venture between MTV and RealNetworks’ Rhapsody September 2007, but he has since returned to his previous position. We hear he never seriously considered the position.
David Goldberg
Jim Pitaro
Ian Rogers