Tom Anderson, the original owner of MySpace, was a social media pioneer who made a significant impact starting in 2003. Before the rise of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, MySpace was a leading platform, but Tom has since become less visible online.
By 2005, MySpace had risen to become the seventh most visited website in the world, a remarkable achievement given the exponential growth in the number of websites. At its peak, Tom Anderson sold MySpace to News Corporation for an impressive $580 million; News Corporation also owns Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. Tom served as the president of MySpace until he resigned in 2009, a decision likely difficult given his long-standing association with the brand.
After his departure, Facebook began to dominate the social media landscape, amassing over 360 million users. The acquisition didn’t turn out to be profitable for News Corporation, which eventually sold MySpace at a significant loss for $35 million in 2011.
Since leaving MySpace, Tom has embraced the lifestyle of a savvy millionaire, investing in real estate and enjoying leisurely vacations. What sets him apart is his passion for photography, which he pursued as a travel photographer, capturing the world through his lens.
Although he stepped back from the forefront of social media, Tom remained involved by serving as an advisor for a company that developed a Facebook application. Despite his significant online presence, he is unlikely to ever match the over 200 million friends he once had on MySpace. Nostalgia for the platform surged after a TikTok video by UNILAD featuring Tom, prompting users to share fond memories.
One user reminisced, “He was my first friend on MySpace hahaha.” Another expressed longing, saying, “I miss MySpace.” A third user declared, “MySpace was the best social media website to ever exist.” Another individual highlighted valuable lessons from Tom’s approach, stating, “Success is about what you DON’T do.
Tom didn’t use MySpace to interfere with elections, steal data, inflate his ego, or increase hate speech. He just built something awesome that was net-positive for society.” Additionally, one user shared a personal note of gratitude: “I owe him for a small part in the creation of my kids; I met my eventual wife through MySpace.” This sentiment likely echoes many relationships that began on the once-popular social network.