Sponsors support MySpace Music relaunch

MySpace has relaunched its music section and will include integrated sponsor advertising for the first time. McDonald’s, Sony Pictures and Toyota are among the first sponsors to sign deals with the social networking site.

The section, which is being launched in the US today, includes a new catalogue of premium and promotional content from record labels Sony BMG, Universal Music and Warner Music. Users will be able to buy downloads through a new e-commerce shop, powered by Amazon MP3.

Users will also be able to create playlists of tracks on their profile pages for free. The free tracks will be ad-supported and advertisers will integrate with the new platform, offering free downloads and holding competitions on the MySpace Music homepage.

A spokesman for MySpace says: “These brands will be powering customers’ access to a host of new music services.”

McDonald’s will offer a series of free downloads on the website while Sony Pictures will promote its movies online. The first film being promoted is Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, where for one week all MySpace user profile playlists will have a movie skin.

Toyota will hold “Toyota Tuesdays” offering free downloads every Tuesday.

MySpace says more sponsors are to follow, and the updated platform will launch in the UK before Christmas.