To attract marketers that otherwise shy away from its racy user profiles, MySpace has added a humor area to the social-networking site, reports the Los Angeles Times. The marketing deal with the Improv comedy clubs will result in the posting of standup performances, behind-the-scenes video and other humor content to the new section.
Pepsi-Cola North America won't advertise on user pages, but its Sierra Mist beverage is the main sponsor of MySpace Comedy, and its Aquafina brand sponsored the site's Filmmakers section.
MySpace Comedy is key to parent News Corp.'s strategy of capitalizing on the website's heavy traffic by creating sections to lure large marketers. Other MySpace sections include music and movies, and it is expected to revamp its sports and games sections.
MySpace is offering comedians profile features that allow them to post tour dates, share audio and video clips, and interact with fans, writes Reuters/Hollywood Reporter. Among the biggest comedy successes online is stand-up Dane Cook, whose MySpace profile has attracted more than 1.34 million "friends."