Online Personals Watch: News on the Online Dating Industry and Business

New Co-CEOs at ParshipMeet Group

OPW - July 20 - After 7 years, Tim Schiffers, the incumbent CEO, is handing over the baton to Marc Schachtel and Geoff Cook. Marc Schachtel (formerly COO) and Geoff Cook (Founder/CEO, The Meet Group) are now co-CEOs of ParshipMeet Group. Henning Rönneberg is CFO.

Tim successfully completed the merger of Parship Group with The Meet Group and is moving on to new challenges outside the organization.

Marc will lead the entire matchmaking business as CEO of Parship Group: Parship, ElitePartner, eharmony, LOVOO. See Marc's Linkedin post.

Geoff will continue to be responsible for the Social Dating & Entertainment division: MeetMe, Skout, Tagged, GROWLr and the live video streaming solution vPaaS, which powers the video solution of some of the largest dating and social apps in the world. See Geoff's Linkedin post.

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Does Banning People With Felonies From Dating Apps Make Anyone Safer?

THE MARSHALL PROJECT - May 20 - Match Group plans to launch a feature allowing daters to run background checks on potential matches. The company says its efforts are aimed at keeping users safe. But civil rights advocates say the record checks extend an unfair practice of imposing "collateral consequences" long after people have finished their sentences. "Meeting strangers can be risky, and I worry that this approach will mislead people into thinking they're safe," said Sarah Lageson, a Rutgers University sociologist who studies the growing use of online criminal records. People with felonies - anything from a $10 drug conviction to capital murder - are banned for life from some dating apps including Match Group's apps, Coffee Meets Bagel, Zoosk. A representative for The Meet Group said that only two of the company's apps - Skout and GROWLr - have a ban, based on policies it inherited when it acquired those apps. The representative said The Meet Group would reconsider that part of the policy.

by Keri Blakinger
See full article at The Marshall Project

See the top news on Match Group                 See the top news on The Meet Group
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Sensor Tower's State of Dating Apps Report

SENSOR TOWER - Feb 18 - Sensor Tower's recent report - 2021 State of Dating Apps report - offers analysis on the latest trends for the category:

• Dating app revenue and download trends in the U.S. and top apps
  App Store install growth outpaced that of Google Play, perhaps suggesting that dating apps are going after the comparatively higher spending consumers on Apple's platform. The Meet Group has found steady success with apps including MeetMe, Tagged, and Skout.
• A look at how COVID-19 altered the dating landscape
  Despite COVID-19, dating app adoption remained steady throughout 2020. Downloads grew 3% Y/Y in Q4.
• Trends among traditional dating apps entering 2021
• Advertising trends among top dating apps, including a look at Bumble's creatives

You can download the summary report here or request the full report from SensorTower.

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The Meet Group Launches Face Verification

BUSINESSWIRE - Sep 21 - The Meet Group rolls out AI-powered face verification using FaceTec's 3D selfie technology, a human liveness check. Verification badges roll out to MeetMe member profiles this week, then Skout and Tagged within months. FaceTec's AI software confirms the user is physically present in front of the camera. As badge adoption increases, it will become a prerequisite for certain activities like sending photos in chat. Additionally, FaceTec's AI provides a 3D age estimation.

"At the beginning of this year, I set forth our commitment to safer dating in 2020, addressing key issues affecting dating apps everywhere: Authenticity, Age Estimation, Device Blocking, and Textual Screening," said Geoff Cook, CEO of The Meet Group. "With the launch of the Profile Verification Badge on MeetMe, we are...helping to ensure authenticity and end catfishing."

Other initiatives include using URSafe so members can stay connected in an emergency, collaborating with Microsoft on Project Artemis which uses common textual patterns and an age detection engine to prevent child exploitation, the introduction of a Safer Dating Advisory Board of epidemiologists and infectious disease experts to provide advice aimed at reducing the risk of contagion while dating, and implementing DeviceCheck to block bad actors' devices. See TMG's safety overview.

See full article at Businesswire

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This post also appears on VerySocialNetwork

The Meet Group Acquired and Looking at 2022 IPO as ParshipMeet!

BUSINESSWIRE - Sep 4 - The Meet Group announced the completion of its acquisition by the parent company of eharmony. ParshipMeet Group was created to manage The Meet Group and Parship Group. It now operates MeetMe, LOVOO, Tagged, Skout, GROWLr, eharmony, Parship and ElitePartner.

The Meet Group focuses on community while bringing social entertainment to dating, monetizing through livestreaming video. Parship Group brands are market leaders in the matchmaking space; focused on serious relationships and monetizing through subscriptions.

The all-cash transaction represents an enterprise value of ~$500m.

"We are thrilled to combine with a globally leading matchmaking company," said Geoff Cook, CEO of The Meet Group. "We believe this deal will help define the future of dating. We will continue to focus on... building the best dating features in the world, ...investing in livestreaming..., and discovering opportunities to expand and grow – organically and through strategic relationships, including our video-platform-as-a-service offering". 195k+ dating games are played each day across The Meet Group's apps, up 104% since March.

"The Meet Group's livestreaming video platform is unique and well positioned for a post-pandemic world where video becomes a critical part of finding and screening first dates," said Tim Schiffers, CEO of ParshipMeet Group. "By combining The Meet Group's assets with Parship Group's strengths, we've created a global dating leader and one of the most diversified portfolios of dating brands in the world. ...We see significant potential to further the growth of The Meet Group's video platform-as-a-service products, as well opportunities for knowledge-sharing and cross-selling."

ParshipMeet Group is jointly owned by ProSiebenSat.1, a leading free-to-air TV broadcaster and video entertainment company in the German-speaking markets, and General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm providing capital and strategic support for growth companies.

See full article at Businesswire

Additionally, from ProSiebenSat1:
ParshipMeet Group has revenues of EUR 451 million and adjusted EBITDA of EUR 95 million as of H1 2020, for the last 12 months. Double-digit annual growth rates expected

The combined company operates as ParshipMeet Group, a newly-minted unicorn and a leading global player in the online dating market. ProSiebenSat.1 owns 53% and General Atlantic 43% in ParshipMeet Group. The remainder is held by management.

Rainer Beaujean, Chairman & CFO, ProSiebenSat.1 said, "This investment case is also another strong proof of concept of our ability to use the strengths of our Entertainment business to support the growth and development of consumer-facing digital platform and commerce businesses."

Joern Nikolay, MD, General Atlantic said, "We believe in the ability of ParshipMeet Group...to bring transformative digital innovation to the global online dating sector...and harness the power of technology."

Tim Schiffers, CEO, ParshipMeet Group said, "Online dating, and interactive live video in particular, is a global megatrend that will continue to transform all of our lives in the future. ...Our brands span the whole spectrum of the online dating market: meeting, dating and falling in love. ...We are perfectly positioned for sustained long-term growth."

ProSiebenSat.1 and General Atlantic are evaluating an IPO for ParshipMeet Group in 2022.

See full article at ProsiebenSat.1 website

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MeetMe's Live Video Dating: Dating Online With an Audience

BBC - Sep 2 - On dating app MeetMe, users broadcast live from their phones and then interact with people who tune in. This live vlogging format includes a series of live dating game shows. Livestreamers are paired up to see if there is any chemistry between them. Viewers comment on a "stream" underneath, in real time. MeetMe is part of a suite of dating apps run by The Meet Group. Others include Skout, Tagged (for African-American audience) and Lovoo (an app developed in Germany, which MeetMe bought). Between them they have ~15M users, and on average 180K dating games are played each day, with ~1M people watching the live dates unfold. CEO Geoff Cook describes the platforms as "a public version of speed dating". Plenty of Fish is also currently offering live dating experiences. Badoo has recently experimented with the idea as well. 

Watch the video.

by Dougal Shaw
See full article at BBC

Mark Brooks: Geoff Cook, CEO of The Meet Group, made a couple of impactful statements in the BBC video interview.  Geoff said, "I certainly believe daters no longer have the risk appetite for meeting many different people in person based on something as shallow as a right swipe." This risk, of course, is heightened right now because of covid.  However, there's always been additional risks when daters meet in-person for the first time. Especially the risk of disappointment when people have misrepresented themselves in their dating profile and photos. The best thing about video is, video doesn't lie, so when people meet in-person, they're less likely to be disappointed, or catfished. Geoff also stated "...Live-streaming video helps...by really emphasizing personalities" which I think is why this new video dating norm will be here to stay. It's so tough for dating apps to really help people get a sense of chemistry.  But with video, users can actually get their first sense of chemistry. That's huge! (Full Disclosure: The Meet Group are a client of Courtland Brooks)

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Pakistan Bans 5 Dating Apps for 'Immoral' Content

TELEGRAPH INDIA - Sep 2 - Pakistan's telecom watchdog blocked Tinder, Tagged, Skout, Grindr and SayHi after they failed to take down the improper material. The apps were asked to remove "dating services" and moderate live streaming content "in accordance with the local laws of Pakistan" but they ignored the warning.

See full article at Telegraph India

The Meet Group Launches DateNight to MeetMe and Skout

BUSINESS WIRE - July 28 - The Meet Group, a leading provider of interactive dating solutions, is launching DateNight interactive feature, which makes anyone the star of their own dating game. DateNight is a livestreaming dating game that offers rewards to anyone who plays. Daters who match during a DateNight event will receive a free $10 gift card to one of 18 different national chain restaurants, giving away up to $15K worth of first dates every day. DateNight events will occur on Thursdays from 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. EDT throughout July and August.

See full article at The Meet Group website

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UrSafe & The Meet Group Announce Partnership

PR NEWSWIRE - July 7 - MeetMe, Tagged, Skout, GROWLr and LOVOO users will receive a free 60-day subscription to UrSafe's premium safety Features. UrSafe is a hands-free, voice-activated personal safety app fully integrated with 911.

See full article at PR Newswire

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The Meet Group Gains New Strength With Innovations in Interactive Dating

INVESTORPLACE - June 30 - Blind dating gets a modern upgrade, making MEET stock a potential winner even amid the pandemic. The Meet Group has recently announced the rollout of an interactive game known as Blind Date. This will be an addition to The Meet Group's popular NextDate game, which "is like speed dating, except that there's an audience and the contestant gets to choose the specific people they'd like to connect with," according to CEO Geoff Cook. The Blind Date game will be integrated into The Meet Group's MeetMe, Skout, and Tagged. It will also be integrated into Match Group's Plenty of Fish. Blind Date should serve to increase user engagement. MEET stock could easily reclaim its former high point as the company's innovative spirit could bring people back into the dating game again.

by Louis Navellier
See full article at Investorplace

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The Meet Group Releases Blind Date to MeetMe, Skout, Tagged, and Plenty Of Fish

PRESS RELEASE - June 23 - The Meet Group, a leading provider of interactive dating solutions, has released Blind Date, a new interactive game rolled out to The Meet Group's MeetMe, Skout, and Tagged mobile apps, as well as Match Group's Plenty of Fish. The new feature will allow users to meet and date through a timed video chat that is based on personality rather than appearance. "A recent survey of MeetMe users found that 91% of members wish that dating was more focused on personality, and 77% would chat with someone before seeing what they looked like," said Geoff Cook, CEO of The Meet Group. "We are seeing that our members value personality over attractiveness, and with Blind Date, they are given the opportunity to chat first and gain a sense of who they are connecting with."

See full article at The Meet Group website

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The Meet Group Powers Boom in Safe Social Media Speed Dating Sessions

FORBES - May 11 - The Meet Group provides interactive live video solutions for its apps - MeetMe, LOVOO, Skout, Tagged and Growlr, and also Match Group's Plenty of Fish. Across that spectrum, The Meet Group works to ensure safety and security for its social media connections. Recently, the live meet-up sections of MeetMe, Skout and Plenty of Fish introduced NextDate speed dating sessions with built-in The Meet Group Technology. Running now through May 30, those sites will host Speed Dating Social Hours at 10PM and 11PM ET, every Thursday and Saturday. The Meet Group will reward those who find their match on NextDate. The first 25 couples to match will receive 8K ($50) credits redeemable on the MeetMe, Skout, and Plenty of Fish dating apps to buy and send gifts to members who are live-streaming on the apps or playing NextDate on any of the social media platforms.

by John Scott Lewinski
See full article at Forbes

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The Top Dating Industry News for May 4th

OPW - May 5 - Spark Networks 2019 Financial Results, Dating App Crush Covid-19 Survey, Blind Date & Second Date on Skout and MeetMe, IDEA Webinar.

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The Meet Group to Release Blind Date and Second Date to MeetMe and Skout Live

BUSINESS WIRE - Apr 29 - The Meet Group, a leading provider of interactive livestreaming solutions, plans to release two new features to its NextDate dating game, Blind Date and Second Date, on its MeetMe and Skout livestreaming dating apps in the coming weeks. The Meet Group hopes to encourage its users to make connections, find love, and regain a sense of community, all while remaining socially distant. NextDate, a gamified version of speed dating, was introduced to The Meet Group's portfolio of mobile apps in October 2019. Blind Date allows NextDate users to meet and date streamers through a timed video chat. Second Date gives a contestant the chance to have a number of subsequent dates with the streamer during the game, adding a new element to the NextDate experience.

See full article at Businesswire

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IDEA Launches Social Safety Badge for Dating Apps

BUSINESSWIRE - Dec 9 - IDEA (The Internet Dating Excellence Association) is launching the Social Safety Badge and Guidelines for high quality dating apps. "The goal of this badge is to help users identify dating, matchmaking and social apps that are distinguished in their commitment to a safe and exceptional experience for users," said IDEA President Mark Brooks.

The guidelines cover:

• Respect For Others
• Respect For The Rights Of Others
• Respect For Minors
• Respect For The Community
• Respect For Larger Community

The following dating apps are in the initial launch group and have signed on to the badge, stating that they will adhere to the guidelines:

• CitySwoon
• GlobalMuslimMatch
• Happn
• Jaumo
• LunchClick
• MeetMe
• muzmatch
• Namoro
• Once
• Say Allo
• Skout
• Tagged
• Vouch

IDEA was formed in 2007 as the Internet Dating Executive Alliance and changed to the Internet Dating Excellence Association in 2018. The group is made up of 700+ dating industry executives and dating company leaders and innovators from around the world.

See full article at BusinessWire