Buzznet

Buzznet.com is a photo, journal, and video-sharing social media network. Like other social networking sites, Buzznet is a place for members to share content based on their personal interests. Unlike classic social networks, which focus primarily on messaging and profile pages, Buzznet members participate in communities that are created around ideas, events and interests; most predominantly, music, celebrities and the media.

History

Buzznet.com was founded by Marc Brown, Steve Haldane, Kevin Woolery and Anthony Batt. The site officially launched in 2005 when the company received private funding from Anthem Venture Partners. [cite web
author = Hilary Potkewitz
year = 2006
title = "Buzzing"
publisher = Los Angeles Business Journal
accessdate =
url = http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5423643/Insider-pages-moving-into-venture.html] Before the end of 2005, newspapers and journalists utilized Buzznet’s photo galleries. Newspapers that joined Buzznet for its photo-sharing capabilities include the Houston Chronicle for Hurricane Rita coverage, the Miami Herald for Hurricane Wilma coverage, and the Biloxi, Miss. Sun-Herald for Hurricane Katrina coverage. [cite web
author =
year = 2005
title = "Buzznet and the Houston Chronicle Offer Site to Share Storm Images and Tales"
publisher = PR Newswire
accessdate =
url = http://www.mywire.com/pubs/PRNewswire/2005/09/24/1025027?&pbl=15]

According to a March Hitwise report, in February 2007 Buzznet’s site visits more than doubled. The report deemed Buzznet the fastest growing social media community on the Internet. [cite web
author = LeeAnn Prescott
year = 2007
title = "Buzznet and IMEEM: Fast Growing Social Networks"
publisher = Hitwise
accessdate =
url = http://weblogs.hitwise.com/leeann-prescott/2007/03/buzznet_and_imeem_fast_growing.html]

In April 2007 Buzznet hosted the official online community for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. [cite web
author = Jeff Leeds
year = 2007
title = "Coachella: Capturing the Buzz"
publisher = The New York Times
accessdate =
url = http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/coachella-capturing-the-buzz/] In May 2007 Buzznet received a $6 million round of funding from Redpoint Ventures and previous investors, Anthem Venture Partners. [cite web
author = Duncan Riley
year = 2007
title = "Buzznet Lands $6 Million"
publisher = Techcrunch
accessdate =
url = http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/24/buzznet-lands-6million/]

In July 2007 Tyler Goldman was named CEO. [cite web
author =
year = 2007
title = "Buzznet Names Internet Veteran Tyler Goldman as CEO to Continue Driving Substantial Growth"
publisher = PR Newswire
accessdate =
url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32467624_ITM]

In April 2008 Buzznet announced the acquisition of the popular music blog Stereogum. [cite web
author = Paul Glazowski
year = 2008
title = "Buzznet Confirms Stereogum Deal; Plans to Launch “Videogum” Next Week"
publisher = Mashable
accessdate =
url = http://mashable.com/2008/04/03/buzznet-steregum-videogum/] Shortly after, it was revealed that Buzznet had acquired former Gawker Media music site Idolator. [cite web
author = Joseph Weisenthal
year = 2008
title = "Denton Slims Down Gawker Media"
publisher = Washington Post
accessdate =
url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/14/AR2008041401235.html]

Buzznet overview

Homepage content

The Buzznet homepage links site viewers to music, pop culture, community, photo, and video pages on Buzznet. On the homepage, recent news about celebrities, musicians and other elements of pop culture is displayed and frequently updated. The homepage also contains a search utility, capable of locating a search query within all Buzznet media.

Banners displayed on the homepage link to Buzznet’s contest groups and Buzznet polls. Each Buzznet contest is typically endorsed by a band, celebrity, or record label. Past contests include “Get Dressed by Avril” Merch Model Search, endorsed by pop-rock icon, Avril Lavigne, [cite web
author = MTV News Staff
year = 2007
title = "Avril's Merch Model Search"
publisher = MTV
accessdate =
url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1559054/20070508/lavigne_avril.jhtml] and "Feel the Elite Beat" Dance Video Contest sponsored by Nintendo. [cite web
author = Flynn De Marco
year = 2006
title = "The Elite Beat Agents Dance Video Contest"
publisher = Kotaku
accessdate =
url = http://kotaku.com/gaming/tag/the-elite-beat-agents-dance-video-contest-221937.php] The homepage also links to music features, festival updates, and Internet stars.

User pages

User pages are controlled by individual members and can be customized with colors and text. Upon sign in, registered members are prompted to upload videos, photos, or post journals, all of which can be tagged to appropriate tag topic pages.

Tag topic pages

Tag topic pages house all photos, videos, journals, and links that have been tagged to a particular topic. Topics are most commonly a band, celebrity, or content genre. Tag topic pages also have a user-generated forum that hosts open discussions on subjects related to the tag.

Group pages

Group pages have features similar to tag topic pages, but are generally more content-specific and exclusive. Group pages are generally used for contests, events, and fan bases.

Buzz

Members are recognized for their popularity in the Buzznet community based on the amount of "buzz" they receive. Each photo, video, and journal can receive "buzz" from other members. Top buzzed members and top content contributors are recognized throughout the site.

Artists (bands)

Bands such as All Time Low, [cite web
title = All Time Low's Profile on Buzznet
url = http://alltimelow.buzznet.com/user/main/] My Chemical Romance, 30 Seconds to Mars,HIM [cite web
title = 30 Seconds to Mars' Profile on Buzznet
url = http://30stm.buzznet.com/user/] AFI, Cartel, [cite web
title = Cartel's Profile on Buzznet
url = http://cartel.buzznet.com/user/ ] New Found Glory, Boys Like Girls, [cite web
title = Boys Like Girls' Profile on Buzznet
url = http://boyslikegirls.buzznet.com/user/ ] Blaqk Audio, [cite web
title = Blaqk Audio's Profile on Buzznet
url = http://blaqkaudio.buzznet.com/user/ ] Anberlin, [cite web
title = Anberlin's Profile on Buzznet
url = http://anberlin.buzznet.com/user/ ] Fall Out Boy, and Lostprophets [cite web
title = Lostprophets' Profile on Buzznet
url = http://lostprophets.buzznet.com/user/ ] maintain user pages and semi-active blogs on Buzznet.

Buzznet mobile

Users can access Buzznet from a mobile device in four different ways. They can upload content directly via email, with ShoZu, or access their account with mobile and iPhone versions of the site. With the mobile version, users can update their account, upload photos, and post journals. [ [http://www.buzznet.com/www/mobile/?t=footer|mobile Buzznet Mobile ] ]

Partnerships

Buzznet.com has partnered with the Honda Civic Tour and [http://www.friendsorenemies.com Friends or Enemies] . [cite web
author = Kristen Nicole
year = 2007
title = Honda Civic Tour Partners with Friends or Enemies for UGC Fan Community
publisher = Mashable
url = http://mashable.com/2007/05/16/honda-friendsorenemies/] Like Buzznet, Friends or Enemies is a site that facilitates dialogue between bands and their fans. Bands on Friends or Enemies include Fall Out Boy, Cobra Starship, and Gym Class Heroes.

Buzznet.com has also partnered with Tila Tequila to create a separate site called [http://www.tilashotspot.com tilashotspot.com] . [ [http://tilashotspot.com/ Tila's Hot Spot ] ]

As of May 5 2008 Buzznet is partnered with Absolutepunk.net.Fact|date=July 2008

References

* [http://mashable.com/2007/03/14/buzznet/ Buzznet Hits Sweet Spot] mashable.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.

External links

* [http://www.buzznet.com Buzznet.com]