Partovis Are Latest MySpace Execs To Leave; Top Security Exec Cutting Back, Too

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Partovis Are Latest MySpace Execs To Leave; Top Security Exec Cutting Back, Too

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Earlier today, News Corp (NYSE: NWS). announced a change in the role of top security exec Hemu Nigam, responsible for helping MySpace navigate some roiled privacy and child safety waters. Nigam is giving up the title of chief security officer (which will disappear from the News Corp exec roster) and shifting to half-time security adviser so other companies can take advantage of his expertise. A spokeswoman told me most of the heavy lifting was done on the key issues; the rest could managed done part time.

I thought of this when I was reading the memos bouncing around MySpace about the departure of brothers Hadi and Ali Partovi, first reported by Kara. No formal press release for this move, alternately expected and denied for months; some had the serial entrepreneurs out the door as soon as they joined with the acquisition of iLike. Speculation that they would leave escalated when Owen Van Natta’s tenure as CEO ended abruptly only a few months later. He was the top exec when they made the deal last August and the plans to work in senior roles were centered around him as CEO.

According to a memo from co-presidents Mike Jones and Jason Hirschhorn (embedded below), Hadi, SVP of technology, is severing his ties; Ali, SVP of business development, will go the Nigram route, working as a “strategic advisor” on special projects. They kept their investment portfolio when they joined; they’ll expand their time on investments and no doubt will emerge soon with new ventures of their own. The suggestion is that they agreed to stay on through last week’s launch of MySpace Events, which involves iLike’s ticket technology; sounds as good as anything.

In his memo, posted at AllThingsD, Hadi took a small dig at Jones and Hirschhorn, implying they would have avoided secrecy about leaving but “for the request of our execs.” He also went through a litany of accomplishments, winding up with this: “Most importantly, thanks to our work, MySpace is the #1 provider of music on Facebook, music on Google (NSDQ: GOOG), and Concerts on iPhone. Regardless of any challenges that MySpace needs to overcome, that is a great legacy that I know we’re all proud of.”

Having a chief security officer helped News Corp look serious about changing MySpace’s rep and making it a safer place to hang around. It looked good to the state and federal attorneys general and he came with the backing and background to make it happen. Having the Partovis on board gave MySpace the chance to integrate the iLike technology and having them stick around for a couple of months post-Van Natta gave Jones and Hirschhorn a little extra runway. Their departure may be easier to deal with than wondering when they would leave. Then again, the co-execs also are serial entrepreneurs surrounded by outside speculation around when they might leave.
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Memo from Mike Jones & Jason Hirschhorn
Hi everyone,

Effective on Friday, MySpace SVP of Technology Hadi Partovi is leaving to pursue other opportunities. In addition to continuing his work as an advisor and angel investor to various startups, he will be following his passion for education by working directly with technology focused non-profits. Hadi leaves as a valued friend to the company, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Ali Partovi will be stepping down as SVP of Business Development, but will continue working with MySpace as a strategic advisor working on special projects. He will also be taking time to invest in and advise startups.

Hadi and Ali were instrumental in integrating iLikes best in class technology into the MySpace brand. Last weeks successful Events launch was a direct result of that collaboration. Other noteworthy product integrations include last years Google Music Search integration and the Local Concerts App, which is currently the most downloaded concerts app for the iPhone and was featured in one of Apples latest iPhone TV spots.

Please join us in thanking Ali and Hadi for their contributions to MySpace.

-Jason & Mike

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