It turns out the rumors of a Viacom investment and partnership with social network Tagworld were accurate. Viacom invested a reported $40 million in the company for a minority stake (Tagworld was previously funded by Draper Fisher Jurvetson) and the two companies began working on new social networking products. Tagworld’s parent company has been renamed Social Project.
Tomorrow morning they are launching the fruit of that partnership – an ambitious new disaggregated social network around Viacom’s MTV, Comedy Central and other brands and associated websites called Flux.
Tagworld/Social Project cofounder Evan Rifkin and Mika Salmi, the president of Global Digital Media for MTV, walked me through the product earlier this afternoon. A screen shot of the unlaunched service is below.
The new service takes technology developed by Tagworld and Viacom’s existing Flux brand and creates distinct social network properties for each of the brands (some are launching now, hundreds are launching throughout the rest of the year). Like Ning, users who sign up for any network (say, Comedy Central’s) can join other networks (like MTV’s) with a single click.
As users add additional communities to their profile, they bring their content and friends with them. Flux is simultaneously a single brand as well as hundreds of distinct, branded social networks.
Not Just About Viacom Brands
Flux is opening up to companies and brands outside of the Viacom family. Twenty non-Viacom sites have been quietly testing the service for some time. See, for example, Vinyl Pulse and 50Cent. Both have integrated social networks built by Tagworld. They’re not yet co-branded under the Flux service, but will be now that the service is officially launching. New third party sites will soon be able to apply to join the Flux network; in the future there an API and other tools will become available that will let anyone join.
As I said above, comparisons will inevitably be drawn to Ning and white label social networks (see our overview of various white label services here and here).
But Flux really is a network of networks. While it is most like Ning, the walls between the Flux networks are very porous – uses drag content (photos, videos, etc.) between sites, perhaps grabbing a video from the 50Cent site and presenting it on their profile at the MTV site. While each community has distinct branding, the individual users see groupings of brands that they enjoy under a single profile.
What Happens To Taworld?
The existing Tagworld site remains as is, although the company is turning off new registrations for now and focusing entirely on Flux.
Ugliest logo ever. You win a prize!
looks like tagworld bit the dust…
http://www.alex...l=tagworld.com/
Perhaps not the best place to suggest this, but would be great if you guys could include the author of the post in your feeds. Just a matter of perspective
Digg It:
http://digg.com...egy_Called_Flux
wonder how many “social” sites are out there… 0_o
Far too many that’s for sure.
I agree with Word Hugger…that logo is pretty ugly – especially with a budget of $40 million +
Allen
Famesource.com – Claim your fame!
http://www.famesource.com
I think they have half the equation right for the next generation of “social networks.”
flux (flŭks)
…
3. The discharge of large quantities of fluid material from the body, especially the discharge of watery feces from the intestines.
http://www.answ...flux?cat=health
It’s good to see the TagWorld team back in the game. I always thought they could have had a better shot if it weren’t for that web1.0 name. People don’t remember but they were the first to show the Snakes on a Plane trailer.
http://www.wiki...le=Tagworld.com
I don’t like the logo much either, although the refresh logo button on the site is nifty. It will be interesting to see if flux can create a lot of mass using Viacom and other brands. Any numbers know about the succes of similar initiatives like Ning? I think the easier sharing of content between different profiles is good, but I wonder if users really need it. I think a lot of these extra profiles are not very active, and I also feel that users tend to stick to just a few of their most important profiles without visiting the others much.
Check out an example on The Plugg
http://www.theplugg.com
Flux, ……
Oh man, that’s just to easy …
http://fakestev...er.blogspot.com
wow….only 13 posts on this one…guess social networks aren’t really interesting anymore….especially Corporate sponsered ones….
seriously, this is going to BOMB and to be honest I hope that Viacom lose their shirt on this.
STOP TRYING TO SELL YOUR CRAPPY PROGRAMS ON THE NET!!!
@Ravi: they do. your reader of choice just isn’t displaying it… & you’re right… not the place.
This is somewhat misleading… they’re not really decentralized. Looks like they’re using some kind of SOAP or ReST API that allows the site to pull from Flux. http://www.50cent.com and community.vinylpulse.com are both resolving to the same IP. Looks like its still a centralized social network.
flux is fluxed
There are over 3.5 Million potential verticals of interests in the space. There are 50 White Label Social Network Solutions in the space + Flux = 51 to date. All the 51 White Label solutions combined only serve less than .03% of the potential vertical markets in the space. Flux will likely be the market leader in the youth entertainment vertical with giants like MTV backing them up but even then it may still be too early to tell. Evan is a great salesman and this is going to be a fruitful direction for his company…I am going to miss the Tagworld shwag though:)
To me this sucks……….. there are alot of friends on tag world…… I dont think it is fair or right to all of us on tag world……………. what about those of us that paid for our sites???????????
diitto, Shannon. and f@ux flux. it’s time to find a way that you’ll be able to stay in touch with your tworld friends.
I am a member of tagworld and first let me say its the best site out there..Right now there is alot of people majorly concerned over what is going to happen to tagworld itself…it would have been nice if the power players involved in creating this flux site and closing down new membership to tagworld had informed the tagworld members of their plans and just how tagworld is going to fit into all of it…tagworld is a huge site where members have more than one iddy biddy myspace page..most have several pages to their individual sites within tagworld and these pages have taken them days,weeks and for some months to create..not to mention the musical groups and the fan base that supports their music as well as the players available to them that enables them to upload more than three measly songs…
Leave Tagworld as is….it is just wonderful as is..there is no other site that compares to Tagworld…All the other sites are perverse and dirty….not as Tag..Tag is full of warm,caring,loving, decent people whoo care for each other like a big family…we look out for each other in here….we have come so close as to call our selves brothers and sisters…..I love all my friends and do not want to lose them….I have been on Tagworld for 1 year and 1/2 I have put years , months, weeks and many hours of dedication to my site, my page was created w lots of luv…I’m not ready to lose all that…we want Tagworld to be left alone…Please let others come in a be able to sign up to start making friends as we have…open up the doors again…Tagworld is the best!
Why would a group of people start something as great as Tagworld and then walk away leaving thousands of people out on the cold? There are a lot of not just people but groups and musicions who depend on it. If it is going yo be this way I for one will not suport FLUX in any way and make sure people know the powers to be are the type to just walk away and leave the members high and dry, There is a lot of power in the blogs on the net.
I moved to tagworld from Myspace, because of the multiple page set up…and I made many good friends there. It is the only place I know of that encourages the types of commenting it has. There is no other place like tagworld, none! I wish for tagworld to remain the great place that it is. We have many artists that have spent hours posting their beautiful art work there, not to mention the musicians that have their music there. I for one have spent many hours on my pages. I think that the tagworld powers that be, should have let us know about all this ahead of time. Where’s Ryan? At least on myspace, tom would have posted a bulletin….
does anyone know of a site that could compare to TAGWORLD ? i have searched to no avail. no other site could have the beauty and love that the community has put into it. Tag was able to have multiple pages per person. we are very dedicated to tag. we hung on during all the renovations that were put to this place. we supported tag fully. then we get dumped. to only become a ghost town ? it seems we are now NON-existent. someone suggest a place for us (the tagworld family ) to go.
I agree tagworld is a great site and many have poured time and effort into their sites. The Reason why big companies change things is outta greed and to sell, sell, sell. Tagworld has a Great Following of people that believe in it and are satisfied with the ways things are. We are appreciative of the site so why mess all that up?
I have had such a good time on Tag world . Made so many friends from all over the country …. Don’t screw it up for us by mixing sites up scrambling it like eggs . It ain’t broke so don’t fix it ….
Leave tagworld be…..For most of us it’s our home away from home. Our pages like the rooms of our house reflecting our personalities or life. We have created them and tended to them, as we would our home. So leave tagworld be, we haven’t come to your house and thrown you out, for no good reason.
I have been a member with Tagworld for a year now and have put most of my days work into my site and my pages. I have so many dear friends there and there is no other place like tagworld. It would be a shame for Tagworld to be no more…The art and hardwork people have put into their sites on Tag and the music we have and supported the musicians. I just think it would be a shame to do away with Tagworld. I know for me , if that happens, I will be totally lost without it….
There is total lack of communication on Tagworld’s part as to where all of us stand in this whole FLUX ordeal. We deserve the respect and courtesy to know how we fit into this project if we fit in at all. Tagworld has been and is the best social networking site on the web. It’s many features and subscribers are what keeps it on the top of many people’s lists. I’ve checked into FLUX sites and it’s not remotely impressive in my book. If Tagworld is going to be dissected and tossed about then I don’t want any part of FLUX. I believe the comment above about the true definition of FLUX is right on.
FLUSHING FLUX!!
qute:
I am a member of tagworld and first let me say its the best site out there..Right now there is alot of people majorly concerned over what is going to happen to tagworld itself…it would have been nice if the power players involved in creating this flux site and closing down new membership to tagworld had informed the tagworld members of their plans and just how tagworld is going to fit into all of it…tagworld is a huge site where members have more than one iddy biddy myspace page..most have several pages to their individual sites within tagworld and these pages have taken them days,weeks and for some months to create..not to mention the musical groups and the fan base that supports their music as well as the players available to them that enables them to upload more than three measly songs… You said it all right here!!!! Debbie Jones
To me Flux is just a Chat Room, I think that Flux suck
and I would like to say first..thanks rosebud..and second..I have no intention of joining any of these flux sites…they are boring and pointless and cookie cutter crap that is already out there and believe me when I say..I have seen and checked out alot of sites…none of them offer what tag does…it is to me what a true social network site should be about…you really do connect with the people you meet there and thanks to the inovative way the commenting works on the blogs you can converse in ‘now’ time instead of waiting for a msg to post up..you get real time interaction with everyone that is viewing the blog as well as getting your messages quickly so that you can respond in the same time frame…I have met people from the us..england..south america and australia..and really been able to establish an on going friendship with them…indepth and real…not a bunch of pretty pictures posted to my comment section but real conversations about current issues in the news or just talking about lifes everyday ups and downs…to me tagworld should be the model for all social sites…as for flux..it is clearly something that is geared to making money and tapping into those 16-25yr old demographics that everyone thinks is where the money is..oddly enough..most of that age group get their money from their parents who are over 30….
something Debbie Jones wrote to me and this made more sense to me than this nonsense
“I don’t have any plans on being apart of this flux crap and as far as I can tell it is geared to the 16 to 30 year olds anyway…thats where they think the money is which is stupid because lets face it…16 to 18 year olds get their money from their parents that are over 30 and 18 -30 year olds are busy at school and or work and don’t spend the kinda time on line that they think they do..its more likely for someone like me to be online than them….they use these sites to connect…not interact…they pop in…check their messages or rant about something stupid then hop off and go to the local bar to hang with their friends…I know I wouldn’t have had time for this stuff back when I was in my early 20s…work and home and kids kept me to damn busy…its always be the way of businesses to focus on that 20s group…yet..its never made sense to me”
I have put lots of hard work in my pages and I have made many friends on TagWorld! Why do you want to take something so good and tear it down?! That is not cool! Keep TagWorld up!
I have made a lot of friends on TagWorld. Then you all come along and want to get rid of it. The people of TagWorld have a lot in common. There are a lot of groups on TagWorld that have helped people. I am sorry that you feel like you have to tear a good thing apart to make something may or may not get off the ground. I personally would like to keep TagWorld going.
i have been thinking about all this.. all the time TW is in my mind.. i feel a great impotence, it is as if they said to me,i´m sorry your house will be demolished,
How???…. How have the heart for quit his house to many people?… part of his life….. ….. and with it his family too….
Maybe thas the answer of why the staff dont say anything… thats true????……
i dont know whats is the trueproject, but think if can´t have a vision for know they ave a wonderful site with tw, a sit really loved, how will have the vision for moved a new project for good way…..
just i wanna say…
think in we all…. just a little…. we love tw….
but i will say too.. good luck with the project flux…. dont like have bad wishes to anybody
Many People put up pages to fight Child abuse Missing Childern And what is very important to them on their sites. This is the way we get throw to the world. And put alot of work and time . tears and love into them. . TagWorld is the on;y one that lets us do this that I have found. I myself have many pages on mine on this. Plus the writting of friend that have put their hearts and souls into theses. Plus groups that are really important that set out to help other. Yes there are other site that might have all of this but not as good as Tag world. I don;t thank its asking too much to let us continue doing this. Thank you
Tag World , Is so much more then a simple Social Net Work….For young children to chat ! , Find Music …Talk about their day in School…..I have many sites to reach those willing to help The plight of Children , Outside of Tag world …….None have EVER produce the response and Support …To fight against Child abuses of many forms. As Tag World has…..I also find Tag world to be one of the Safest , Strongest community sites to put a end to pedophiles that start to harass young adults .Many will band together to have the Person or Persons turn in to TW ( Ryan ) and /or Proper authority’s ..Many in need seek help ! And Receive it or guidance threw the TW family to proper resources……While at first my main goal …..In joining the Tag world community was to get the word out about Children ….Over time I have found a Joy in Sharing my Art as well as teaching a few how to draw…….With this came many young adults with a interest in Arts…..Were I have had the Joy of seeing their Art’s grow as well as….Knowing they will be remaining in school.. If not TW has helped many to stay of the Streets……TW has also become a family that will help those in need when very depressed .We banned tighter a will stay on line for days until the person is once again Relaxed……There is no other site like TW out there !!!!!!!!! .I have looked over several of the communities just starting in Flux ….Yet I simply see a promotion for Music Arts and another My Space growing within it …..Chat room where many Children and young adults will be fully exposed again to any out there …While I wish the company .Best wishes with there endeavor’s ….I Pray they leave the TAG WORLD Family in Tack……..Hugs Diana M Matthews / Daninmyheart .Tag world member .
PS …..As A Mother /Parent with Children in the Army…..If not for Tagworld Members such as David Bowers…..I would have spent many more days and nights in tears and fear not knowing what was happening with my Children in Iraq…..Thank You …Hugs DM
I’m not going down with out a huge fight! I didn’t build-up my page to have it torn down. To HELL’ with that. Flux that !!!! Tagworld is our just as much as theirs’. Where would they be with out us?
I’ll go down with the ship before I give-up, my friends,my thoughts, This is my journal. And I don’t make copies. I’ve dug my self a nice “ass” groove and I’m not leavin.
I really hope that people leave Us Tag folks alone and let us continue to go on without all the CRAP out there in CORP. Amerika…….We just want to have fun for free and not have too buy into main stream WALL Street…
Radio Free Tag
“Having been a “tagger” for quite some time, it is my sanctuary from what can be a horrifiing world. I have made some of the best friends ever since joioning and will, indeed, go down with the ship as well.”
I must say it is wonderful to see so many voice their opinions here…if tagworld higher ups can not recognize how important tag has become to so many people and give them at least the curteosy of letting them know what is going on with this social network..well..they need to get the dollar signs out of their eyes and take a long hard look at their actions and just what they are going to lose….you can’t make money if you have no customers…simple as that…and I for one ain’t buying into flux if they shut down tag…
please leave tagworld alone! do not tamper with it.
Well it realy dont matter what Tag World and flux gets to gather but please leave Tag world as it is and let new members join . Tag World is the best site I have found I have a great Native American website on Tag World and have a lot of pages in it.So we are begging you please leave Tag World as it is thank you kindly
Tagworld is the only place I found to be the best on the web. There is nothing like it and I hope that the flux deal includes keeping tagworld.com in it’s plans. People just want to know what is going on and I think that the people behind Tagworld.com need to shine some light on this situation. A lot of people are worried and for good reason and I haven’t read anything that is clear on what is going on. Hello ? Hello ? Is this thing on ?
I’m very dissapointed to read all this about Tagworld going down. As a member for over a year, and checking out just about every blog and social pages out there, I chose Tagworld as being the best one. I hated Myspace….from what I saw about Flux, It is not a place I am interested.
After all the members supported Tagworld, for us to be left in the dark on this is unexcusable to me. I will not be joining Flux. I hope that you leave us at Tagworld alone and let new member find out what a wonderful place it is, with wonderful people, muscians and artists. I think there should at least be a explination on what is going to happen to Tagworld and it’s members, and if it closes, at least give us notice to contact all friends with a Email and have time to remove what items we wish to save. Again, I’m sorry to hear that you are closing one of the best social blogs on the internet. You have won no points with me with Flux.
i think tag world is saving my lfe by giving me somewhere to express myself and get a good laugh or be awed by some picture or pictures i also like the fact that tagworld is populated by so many adults and adult minded young people unlike for instance my space other soicial web sites have not worked out for me as much as tagworld i will be delighed to stay with tagworld for however much longer im interrested in soicial networking
I AM SO TERRIBLY SADDENED BY THE NEWS THAT TAGWORLD MAY GO BELLY UP – FOR OVER A YEAR (FOR ME, MORE FOR OTHERS & FOR THE NEW PEOPLE ) OF MAKING OUR SITES PLEASING FOR OTHERS TO SEE AND MEETING SUCH WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND BECOMING GREAT FRIENDS, IT WILL BE JUST HEARTBREAKING IF WE LOSE ALL OF THAT. AT MY AGE, IF TAGWORLD CEASES TO EXIST, I MAY AS WELL GO INTO A OLD FOLKS HOME OR MAYBE JUST HAVE A GOOD OLD NERVOUS BREAKDOWN -TAGWORLD IS MY LIFE RIGHT NOW & MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEAR TO ME – THEY ARE LIKE AN EXTENSION OF MY OWN FAMILY – MY BROTHERS, SISTERS, MY DEAREST FRIENDS.