MySpace CEO Exits

LOS ANGELES: Less than a year after taking on the role of CEO of MySpace, Owen Van Natta is stepping down, to be succeeded by newly promoted co-presidents Mike Jones and Jason Hirschhorn.

Jones, formerly COO, and Hirschhorn, previously chief product officer, will each report to Jon Miller, the chairman and CEO of digital media for News Corporation. They both joined MySpace in April 2009, at the same time as Van Natta’s appointment.

“Owen took on an incredible challenge in working to refocus and revitalize MySpace, and the business has shown very positive signs recently as a result of his dedicated work,” said Miller. “However, in talking to Owen about his priorities both personally and professionally going forward, we both agreed that it was best for him to step down at this time. I want to thank Owen for all of his efforts."

Miller continued: "Mike and Jason have demonstrated true leadership in their operational and product guidance, respectively, and I have the utmost confidence in both of them to lead MySpace into its next chapter.”

Jones and Hirschhorn said in a joint statement: “We joined MySpace last April with very a specific set of goals in mind, and are anxious to continue working together to make those goals a reality. This business is now pointed in the right direction, and we have a great team of employees that will continue to push MySpace closer to its potential as the place where people go to be discovered and to discover great content.”