Wendi Deng, the Chinese-born wife of Rupert Murdoch, finally has an official post within News Corp, as chief of strategy for MySpace’s China operation, reports Forbes.com, citing sources. She will also be on the board of the Chinese operation. MySpace China launched in trial in April, and is a locally incorporated company that News Corp. has only a minority stake in, alongside International Data Group’s VC arm and China Broadband Capital Partners, an investment company founded by Edward Tian, the former head of China Netcom.
“An official role at MySpace China would provide the 39-year-old Deng with her first chance to prove her mettle in the succession battle with Murdoch’s children for control of the sprawling family-run media empire,” says the story.
Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe the founder of MySpace, also own a minority stake each in the venture, an unusual arrangement with News Corp, and are also the board. Deng would be working alongside Luo Chuan, a former head of MSN Internet service in China, and now heading MySpace China.