(U-WIRE) NORMAL, Ill. — After making a name through magazines, television shows and parties, Hugh Hefner is at it again.
This time Playboy is targeting college co-eds through a social networking site known as Playboy U.
According to an Aug. 22 Playboy Enterprises press release, playboyu.com is strictly for college students 18 and older. Those who do not have a .edu at the end of their e-mail will not be allowed to create an account. As the site reads, “Sorry, high schoolers, old dudes and your Mom can’t join.”
Chip Ross, director of Playboy U, explained that nudity is also not allowed on the site, and the social network is for girls and guys alike to join. “The Playboy lifestyle means a lot more than nudity,” Ross said referencing Playboy’s reputation for the party atmosphere and cool social scene. Ross explained that instead of nude or provocative photos, Playboy U offers blogs and forums on social issues such as dating and relationships. Each topic has advice and opinions directly from user dialogue, and Ross hopes to get more expert advice as well as the site progresses.
To distinguish themselves from other social networks, the Aug. 22 press release explained that Playboy U has its own radio show, which debuted last night on Sirius-Satellite Radio, and Playboy’s transition to the social network is considered to be a smooth process.
“I think there is a natural tie between the college life and the Playboy life,” Ross said.
And this is not the first time Playboy has reached out to the college demographic. “We are now just bringing that to life on Playboy U,” Ross added.
Playboy’s move to the social network comes at no better time as technological advances are opening up new media avenues. “Twenty-five and unders are moving away from the print media. They are going to the Internet,” Jim Munz, Illinois State University instructional assistant marketing professor, said.
Munz added that businesses like Playboy are just trying to find the right media vehicle.
Munz’s remarks reflect a goal of Playboy U. “We are trying to find new ways to expand and reach people through these mediums,” Ross said.
Although the site is fairly new to the World Wide Web, Ross said it already has a few ISU students logged into the network.
Freshman elementary education major Jessica Spethmann believed ISU students would express curiosity in the site.
Spethmann thought requiring a college e-mail address to start an account was beneficial as well.
“If it is exclusively for college students, it might catch on,” Spethmann added.
Spethmann also mentioned how other social networks like Facebook and Myspace are open to high school, college and non-students. Only time will tell the future of Playboy U, but for now Ross said the social network lives by a simple mantra, “Celebrate the social side of college.”