Van Natta and MySpace part ways inside 12 months

by Stevie Smith - Feb 11 2010, 12:37

Recently displaced by Facebook as the world’s leading social network, MySpace has received something of an unexpected shake up following news that chief executive officer Owen Van Natta (previously second in command at Facebook) is departing less than a year after he accepted the role.

According to parent company News Corp., 40-year-old Van Natta’s resignation is effective immediately and the responsibilities of his post will be shared between the company’s Mike Jones and Jason Hirschhorn, who will run MySpace as co-presidents.

“Owen took on an incredible challenge in assuming leadership of MySpace during a difficult period. He has worked to refocus and revitalise the company, and I believe MySpace is pointed in the right direction and gaining valuable momentum,” outlined News Corp’s Jon Miller.

“However, in discussing with Owen his priorities for the future, both personally and professionally, we both agreed that it was best that he step down at this time,” Miller added in an email announcement dispatched to MySpace staff.

USA Today reports that Van Natta has offered only “a terse comment” regarding his resignation, saying that MySpace is “an incredibly unique place,” where he and his team were able to make “real gains in terms of product focus and user experience.”

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