MySpace Searching For Mobile Partners

Social networking site MySpace is looking for mobile partners to launch and promote MySpace mobile services across Europe.

Earlier this week, the company appointed former business development manager at Vodafone, Jean-Paul Sanchez, to the position of vice president of mobile for Fox Interactive in Europe (see MySpace Takes A Step Closer To Going Mobile), and he is now negotiating distribution deals, which are likely to incorporate marketing partnerships.

According to Sanchez, MySpace is focusing on three key business areas: mobile, video and international expansion. He said that while MySpace will not license its brand to mobile operators, they would be able to offer customers MySpace functionality and promote it in communications.

MySpace already has deals in the US to offer mobile services through the Cingular and Helio networks. O2 is said to have had early discussions in the UK, although no major mobile operator has signed a deal with the company in Britain thus far.

Sanchez said that the mobile service was launching in Europe in response to demand from the site’s 130 million users and will potentially expand its audience by going mobile.

MySpace: www.myspace.com