MySpace recently announced that they will be launching an ad network that will enable advertisers to place ads across the social network. Facebook has also launched their own Social Ads system that many are speculating will evolve to a self-serve model similar to Google’s Adwords offering. According to Peter Kafka, MySpace’s new ad network may actually expand across other News Corp sites.

This move by Fox Interactive Media got me thinking. What if other media companies decided to launch their own ad networks? One of Google’s future goals is to automate the majority of the advertising industry. Want to buy a television spot? Go to Google. Want to purchase a radio ad? Try Google. This could pan out if Google is able to negotiate deals with large media companies. That will be extremely challenging though given that large media companies are going to try to protect their assets as much as possible.

Granting access to Google could reduce the amount each company earns from advertising. Instead, each of the media companies could develop their own advertising network. There is only one other solution: a white label ad network. If someone developed a robust ad network that could be used by large media companies, they could undercut the rates that Google is charging to media companies. This is all speculation but it sounds good in theory! Do you think other media companies will follow behind Fox Interactive Media and launch their own ad networks?

Earlier this week, Hitwise released data that showed social network messaging traffic surpassing e-mail in the United Kingdom. Whether or not this data can be expanded outside of the U.K., it does illustrate the new trend. Recently, I have been receiving almost as many messages on Facebook as I have via email. Could you imagine receiving a hundred messages daily via any social network?

None of the social networks currently offer efficient messaging tools. One significant feature that appears to be lacking from all the social network messaging systems is search. Why on earth can’t I search through my messages on Facebook? I won’t even get started on my MySpace inbox since that one is loaded with spam. If any of the large email providers wanted to make a strategic move, they would partner with other social networks to offer messaging services that leverage their email service.

This would expand social network messaging features overnight. Conversely, Facebook and MySpace could launch their own upgraded messaging system that includes pop3 access and search features. While it has been rumored that this is in the works over at Facebook, nothing has been confirmed yet. Do most of your messages come through social networks or through email?

According to the Times, Lily Allen, the reggae-pop artist, will be hosting a new show on the BBC. The subject of the television show? Myspace and Facebook. As the article states:

With the working title Lily Allen And Friends, the show will be based on the social networking phenomenon sweeping the world. Paying homage to internet sites like MySpace and Facebook, viewers will be invited to become Allen’s virtual friends and will then be able to contribute to the show’s discussions and put questions to the singer’s guests.

If you thought social networking was hot, this confirms it. Lily Allen has become well known for being “real” with fans rather then hiding behind a false image. This sort of persona is what is required to become an internet sensation. Just yesterday, I was discussing the importance of personal transparency on the web with a fellow attendee of last week’s New New Internet Conference hosted right outside of Washington, D.C. Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV has gained a cult following thanks to his openness with fans.

It appears as though traditional media is rapidly adopting many new media tactics. Lilly Allen seems perfect for hosting this show given that her popularity began with her MySpace page which attracted hundreds of thousands of dedicated fans. Unfortunately, this show is only being broadcasted in England but hopefully it soon expands internationally. I’d watch a show about social networks but would most people?