HMV appoints LBi to create Facebook rival

re: HMV appoints LBi to create Facebook rival

Tom Hopkins — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:09:25 GMT

Now might be a good time to reflect on the success of Get Closer.

How many users are there? This is quite easy to calculate. In the UK 3% of men are called James. On Get Closer 65 people are ( although funnuly enough 5000 artists). That means the overall population of the site is likely to be 6500.

Also interesting to see the site fails to rank highly in Google, even under it's own name. Even cult bands like the Smiths have only a handful of the 'connections' which are at the heart of the site.

What can we learn from that?

re: HMV appoints LBi to create Facebook rival

Will Callaghan — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:49:34 GMT

I wonder how HMV can top last.fm

re: HMV appoints LBi to create Facebook rival

James Cooke — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:45:52 GMT

Have to agree there, diversification is always risky, and the HMV brand isn't something I really want on my computer. Having said that, there are plenty of opportunities in the music industry right now, especially around virtual networks and connection to bands, not to mention mobile. Perhaps a Facebook or Myspace rival with a differentiated focus on music could work....? I bet loads of bands will sign up to it overnight, with all the label contacts HMV have. Where bands go, fans are sure to follow. By the way, does anybody an example of diversification working well?