• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, January 31, 2008

New MySpace COO Amit Kapur's first order of business will be to oversee next week's launch of the MySpace Developer Platform, which will feature documentation and API tools for developers to build and test applications for MySpace. First announced in October, the initiative is a direct response to the success that rival Facebook has had with its own open developer program.

Kapur was promoted to COO on Wednesday. In this role, Kapur will be responsible for leading all global business operations and strategic partnerships.

"This is a critical year in the evolution of the Internet," said Kapur, who described his focus for MySpace as creating an increasingly "personal, portable, and collaborative Web."

Kapur, 26, joined MySpace in 2005 as the company's first business developer. In this early role, Kapur led the advance of the MySpace Mobile product through solidifying partnerships with AT&T (then Cingular) and Helio. Kapur was also responsible for numerous business expansion initiatives such as company's initial globalization strategy and deal negotiations across various partners.

"Amit has been a key player in our business strategy since day one," said MySpace's CEO and co-founder Chris DeWolfe, in a statement.

In 2006, Kapur was promoted to vice president of business development, where he helped the company foster business relationships and deals--including its landmark monetization deal with Google, the strategic product partnership with Skype to create a new instant messenger client, and the company's first music-licensing pact with Sony BMG.

Before joining MySpace, Kapur worked in the strategic planning and business development group at NBC Universal.