Variety launches a social network for the entertainment business

February 18, 2008 | MG Siegler | Comments |

variety the bizThe entertainment trade magazine, Variety, today launched a new social network dubbed ‘the Biz‘. Created in conjunction with online job site Jobster, this network is said to be the first for the entertainment business.

Variety hopes to carve a niche out of larger social networks like LinkedIn, MySpace and Facebook.

The Biz is comprised of three elements according to the site:

Connect: Find colleagues, peers and mentors in the entertainment industry. Networking made easy.

Careers: Meet professionals directly inside entertainment. Recruit new talent. Search for jobs, promotions or projects.

Community: Exchange ideas, projects or test your latest big pitch among peers. Industry experts are here to bounce ideas. Your big break starts here.

As we’ve noted a few times in the past several months, Hollywood is quickly learning to take advantage of some key elements that the Internet has to offer. Online video is the obvious connection, but social networking should play an important role in the 21st century Hollywood as well.

As you might expect you can upload an image, a resume, and add links to your works on your Biz profile. There is also an area where you can add a video – either a video resume or demo reel – to place on your profile. The site also allows for the use of personal tags so other users and recruiters can find you easier.

If it really is “all about who you know” in show business, a dynamic social network centered around the industry should perpetuate connections.

[via Steve Rubel tweet]

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About the Author, MG Siegler

MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.

  • Let's hope that Variety.com gets their problems fixed...and quick. See link to my bad intial with their new service.

    http://sensiblemarketing.wordpress.com/2008/02/...
  • ldonnell
    Go to TSWPlace.info that is the real network for entertainers. Variety trying to keep up. nice try
  • bryan
    Everyone I've met in Hollywood seems very loathe to join linkedin, seem to be all worried about who knows who they know. I don't know Variety's foray will change that attitude, but I hope it does. The attitude down here seems to be: be closed with who you know, and just drop names like mad and make people beg you for a connection. Very different in SF or with the younger LA crowd who realize being maximally open is the best tack. Be a connector!
  • Joseph
    Geesh ... they have a freaking social network for everything! What's next? One for sleeping?
  • edhardy622
    British law student sues Abercrombie-Fitch for disability discrimination.
    http://www.abercrombiefitchstore.co.uk