MySpace Restructures International Operations

LOS ANGELES: Just a week after announcing a 30-percent staff reduction in the U.S., MySpace is restructuring its international operations, closing at least four offices and laying off some 300 employees.

The move lowers the international staff count to about 150 employees. Under the plan, London, Berlin, and Sydney become the primary regional hubs for MySpace’s international operations. Existing offices in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, and Spain will be placed under review for possible closure. MySpace China, a locally owned, operated, and managed company, and MySpace’s joint venture in Japan will not be affected.

“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,” said CEO Owen Van Natta. “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.”

Last week, the News Corporation-owned social networking site announced a 30-percent staff reduction, lowering its total U.S. workforce to 1,000 employees.