Social networking giant MySpace has launched two Spanish-language sites, MySpace en Español for U.S.-based Hispanics, and MySpace Latinoamérica, a pan-regional site for Spanish-speaking users in Latin America.
MySpace en Español is currently available in beta form to U.S. residents, and features a Spanish-language version of MySpace’s instant messaging client; MySpace says the site will also highlight content, programming, artists, and users relevant to U.S. Hispanic users.
MySpace Latinoamérica is also available in beta form to more than 150 million Latin Americans, although the site has a pan-regional design, MySpace says further development for localized communities (like Mexico) is in the works. The company plans to work with local teams to develop localized and relevant content—and, of course, partnerships—to make the sites relevant to users in individual countries. MySpace Mexico has recently worked with EMI Records to bring out a compilation album of label artists and unsigned artists.
“We’re moving rapidly to build communities that reflect and respect the lifestyles of our diverse members,” said Travis Katz, Myspace International senior VP and general manager. “MySpace en Espanol opens the community even wider, giving our Hispanic members the choice to share their experiences, connect with family members, and plan their social lives in either Spanish or English. We look forward to getting their feedback as we build out these new cultural communities.”
MySpace also announced it plans to launch a Brazilian site “this summer” (would that be summer in the northern or southern hemisphere?), and plans to take MySpace Mexico out of beta in a few months.
