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Hinge Matches Friends Of Friends
WASHINGTON POST - Dec 27 - Hinge matches members by using their Facebook friends as personal Cupids. It started as a dating site in 2012 but made the switch to mobile-only and relaunched this year. The app is focusing on daters in Washington, New York, Boston and Philadelphia for now.
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JustAskMeOut: Dating Site That Ditches Cyber-Flirting
THE GUARDIAN - Dec 26 - Justaskmeout.com is London's dating site for busy singles who don't have time for online dating. If users like someone, they just ask them out with one click. The site also provide members with free singles' events, date ideas and gift vouchers.
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FriendFinder Announces Plan Of Reorganization
PR NEWSWIRE - Dec 23 - FriendFinder Networks has announced a plan of reorganization that takes effect three months after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. FriendFinder's annual interest expense is expected to be reduced by over $50 million and approximately $300 million of secured debt will be eliminated. The bankruptcy and reorganization will allow the company to strengthen its balance sheet and enable it to grow its flagship brands.
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Tinder Co-Founder: “App Was Never Meant For Hooking Up”
BETABEAT - Dec 23 - In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, Justin Mateen, co-founder and CMO of Tinder, said that the app was not designed for hooking up. The service uses a double opt-in feature in which both members have to show interest for communication to happen. The app produces 5 million daily matches. Mateen says the company has plans to evolve the product and move towards social discovery.
by Molly Mullshine
See full article at BetaBeat
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LikeBright Raising Additional $1M In Funding
GEEKWIRE - Dec 20 - Seattle based online dating startup LikeBright is raising a $1 million round that would increase total funding to $2.25 million. The company will use the funds to hire developers and operations staff, and build a mobile app. Seattle entrepreneur Rudy Gadre has already joined with a $250,000 investment.
by Taylor Soper
See full article at GeekWire
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.
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Cupid Media Adds Danish Language Option To Sites
PR.COM - Dec 21 - Cupid Media has launched a Danish language option on ten of its 35 online dating sites in a roll out that began on November 15th. The goal of the language localization is to provide global Danish users with a high-quality experience across their sites. The roll out includes RussianCupid.com, Thailovelinks.com and AfroIntroductions.com.
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gayParship Partners With Blu Media
BLU.FM - Dec 22 - gayPARSHIP and Blu Media Group have signed a cooperative agreement to provide articles and content with helpful tips for couples and singles.
The full article was originally published at Blu.fm, but is no longer available.
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Indore: Traditional Matchmaking Meets Video Chat
DNA INDIA - Dec 22 - Agrasen Social Group has decided to bring video chat technology to the traditional matchmaking convention of Agrawal society. The video chat will allow potential matches to interact with those who cannot be physically present for the matchmaking. The service will be run via the internet and 3G enabled phones. Registration and fees are handled through asgshadi.com.
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Match.com Faces Dispute Over User
CHICAGO LAW BULLETIN - Dec 18 - Lawyers representing Match.com must respond to a complaint that it permitted an accused rapist to remain active on the dating site, resulting in the sexual assault of a Chicago woman in 2009. The victim filed a civil suit in 2011 alleging Match failed to remove Logan’s profile, monitor his use of the site, contact police or warn other customers about him. It also alleged that Match did not abide by the Illinois Dating Referral Services Act. Match had previously filed two motions to dismiss the suit, which Cook County Judge Moira Susan Johnson has rejected. Match has 28 days to respond to the complaint.
by Marc Karlin
See full article at Chicago Law Bulletin
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IAC Reorganizes: Greg Blatt Is Chairman Of New Match Group
PR NEWSWIRE - Dec 19 - IAC's CEO Greg Blatt is stepping down to become chairman of Match Group, a new IAC operating unit containing Match online dating businesses, as well as Tutor.com and workout program site DailyBurn. Sam Yagan, the CEO of Match, will become CEO of the Group. IAC does not intend to name a new CEO.
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Lovestruck Turned Into A £6 Million Hit
THISISMONEY.CO.UK - Dec 19 - Since an initial investment of £285K in 2000, Lovestruck has generated £5.7M revenue. Initially, it started off as LunchdateLondon as a site that introduced people who live or work near each other for a quick coffee, lunchtime or after-work dates. But people were meeting up after work so the site changed its name to Lovestruck. Lovestruck's Brett Harding offers advice to start-ups entering into a saturated industry: Know your customers, know your competitors, validate your assumptions with a half-baked product. Once validated, make it a world-class one. Keep unnecessary cash burn to an absolute minimu.
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New Alliance Launched To Create Online Dating Standards
PR WEB - Dec 19 - The International Alliance for Honest Dating Sites has been launched by founders of 3 romance sites: Peter Christopher (ChristianFilipina.com), Mark Davis (DreamConnections.com) and John Abbot (ChinaLoveMatch.net). The new Alliance website provides articles, videos and lists of fraudulent practices. The unifying Code of Conduct can be found there along with a list of sites that have been viewed and approved to display the Alliance “Seal of Approval” as honest dating sites.
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HowAboutWe To Speak At iDate Las Vegas
WEBWIRE - Dec 17 - Aaron Stein, in charge of user acquisition of HowAboutWe, will present on user acquisition strategies for dating sites and mobile dating apps. He will cover pros/cons of major traffic channels, key sources to test, best practices for tracking across mobile and desktop, tools to use, and whether to run acquisition in-house or employ an agency. The iDate is taking place on January 14-16 in Las Vegas.
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FriendFinder Cleared To Exit Bankruptcy
WSJ - Dec 16 - A federal judge has cleared FriendFinder Networks to leave bankruptcy as a private company with much less debt. The plan allows a group of lenders who are owed $330.8M to forgive that debt and take 100% of the reorganized company's new common stock.
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