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Media business
Rupert Murdoch and Wendy in town for a shmoozePosted by Jeremy Goldkorn, November 11, 2006 12:42 PM
 You can't do it your way Rupert
Danwei has one word of advice for our mentor Mr Murdoch about bringing MySpace to China: Don't! The Chinese Internet is a shark tank, and MySpace would be eaten alive by everyone from Sina and Mop to Wangyou and Tudou to Tianya, Douban, Xici Hutong and Bokee. Build or buy something locally: there are plenty of promising startups, and a few mature web businesses that News Corp could partner with. |
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Comments on Rupert Murdoch and Wendy in town for a shmooze
What does Danwei have against Mr. Murdoch and News Corp.?
Danwei has nothing against Mr. Murdoch: in fact we seek to learn from him, and repeatedly call him our mentor.
News Corp is a major foreign media power; Murdoch has repeatedly made it clear that he wants to break into China's media market and is prepared to do almost anything to make it happen. Such admirable chutzpah!
But we think MySpace China is a really bad business idea.
I agree with Danwei. Dont.
No foreigner Internet companies have gained a good score in China market. yahoo, msn, ebay, even google.
China Mobile and News Corp are launching a new 'wireless music service', their first co-op since the June 8th agreement. Could be what Ruppie is in town for. God knows what it does though - I sense increasing numbers of Supergirls ringtones, and other things that'll annoy me on the subway....
I would however appreciate it if Mr. Murdoch could get the profile pages from the English language version of MySpace unblocked here in Liaoning Province.
What does the article mean when it says that China will eat it alive? too many users? could someone explain to me please?
[EDITOR'S NOTE (JG): I mean that Chinese competitors will make it very difficult for News Corp to replicate MySpace's success in China]
I agree with Danwei. Myspace would get slaughtered in China. There is no technology or content that is challenging to copy, and it's usership is very culturally-shaded. Buy something local and develop it. Murdoch is a little far removed from both the technology and the cultureS (China, youth, internet, etc) that will drive this. His instincts about the potential of social networking in China is right -- his approach is disastrous.