Rap star 50 Cent's social networking site, ThisIs50.com, has reached 160,000 members. The staggering popularity of his site will no doubt inspire more artists to branch out beyond myspace and to create their own social networking websites.
Using the network as a tool, 50 connects with his fans and is able to notify them about upcoming events, downloads, merchandise etc.
He's not the first star to launch a social network. We first featured Kylie Connect back in November 2007:
Celebrity Social Networking Sites
50 Cent's ThisIs50.com Reaches 160,000 Members
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity-owned Social Networking Sites - As more celebrities create their own social networking websites, there is the potential for disruptive innovation in the social media industry.
2. Fan Engagement Platforms - Social networking sites, such as ThisIs50.com, offer opportunities for artists to connect directly with fans, which may disrupt traditional marketing methods.
3. Niche Social Networking Sites - The success of ThisIs50.com demonstrates the potential for niche social networking sites for specific fanbases or industries.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment Industry - The entertainment industry, particularly music artists and celebrities, could benefit from creating their own social networking sites to engage with fans.
2. Social Media Industry - As more non-social media companies, such as celebrities, enter the social networking space, there may be opportunities for disruptive innovation in the industry.
3. Marketing Industry - The rise of fan engagement platforms may disrupt traditional marketing methods for artists and celebrities.