Last week Google HQ emerged as a "must visit" destination for US Presidential hopefuls. This week MySpace has got in on the action with a series of interactive discussions to be held at college campuses across the country.
Also: MC Hammer and TechCrunch | Why James Bond fans love Virgin | News Corp-backed Roo raises $25m | TV and film downloading not popular | Eurovision goes mobile | Louise White appointed new chair of PPAi | Facebook launches free classifieds
The events, taking place from September through December, are called the Presidential Town Hall series and aim to create "an intimate, hour long dialogue between one Presidential candidate and the MySpace community".
Viewers at home can submit questions via MySpace instant messenger (natch) and watch live via a MySpace webcast.
"We're welcoming candidates into the MySpace living room," said Tom Anderson, president of MySpace and the guy who becomes everyone's first friend when the create a MySpace profile. "Unlike living rooms in the primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire, ours holds millions of people wanting to get to know these candidates."
Naturally wanting to be funky and web 2.0 all the candidates have MySpace pages - although Barack Obama had a bit of a spat over a profile run by an enthusiastic backer - that MySpace have rounded up as part of a recently launched community area called the Impact channel.
News Corp backed video firm raises $25m
Funding is the name of the game this week. Following yesterday's announcement by Joost of a $45m in funding web video firm Roo has secured $25m in private equity financing with the "majority" coming from existing investors.
News Corporation holds a 10% stake in Roo and the company has video deals with the Mirror, Times and Sun newspapers in Europe.
Eurovision is going mobile for the first time this year
The mobile site (wapshop.eurovision.tv), built by digital firm iLoop, will allow hardcore fans to download a wallpaper, full track, karaoke and polytone versions of each song from each country.
The official website for the event also has this tat - sorry, quality content - available.
Mobile systems and payment company Bango is making the mobile site available across all EU countries and on any network operator.
It's Hammertime at the TechCrunch20 conference
It doesn't really matter if the TechCrunch20 Conference is any good or not, everyone should go simply because 1980's rap sensation MC Hammer has signed on as a speaker.
He has gone from parachute pants to having his own TV show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and is an advisor to start-up Dance Jam. Stop. Hammer time. Do, do, do, do...
Periodical Publishers Association Interactive gets a new chairperson
Louise White, group marketing director for Incisive Media, is to take over the chairmanship of PPAInteractive (PPAi), the digital council of Periodical Publishers Association.
She takes over from Hearst Digital account director James Garner who has headed the Council since 2005.
Full length film and TV downloads not popular with consumers
Our own Katie Allen has covered off a YouGov survey showing that despite a host of new websites offering TV and film downloads, many people are reluctant to use them as they aren't fast or reliable enough, according to a report out today.
Apparently only 15% of internet users have downloaded a full-length TV programme and only 14% a whole movie.
James Bond in Virgin deal
James Bond fans rejoice. Virgin Media's latest content acquisition is to make available on-demand every single James Bond film.
From the 16th May fans will be able to view all 21 from 1962's Dr No to Blonde Bond Daniel Craig in Casino Royale.
Facebook launches free classified ads
Facebook is adding free classified listings in what the New York Times says puts it into competition with dozens of companies including Craigslist and newspapers.
It will allow users to create classified listings in four categories: housing; jobs; for sale; and "other,"a catch-all.
