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

OPW Interview With Michael Egan, CEO Of Spark Networks, During iDate Miami

OPW - Feb 5 - Last year was a turnaround for Spark Networks. Four directors were voted out and new board came in. Michael Egan joined in as CEO in December 2014 from Internet Brands. Since the company had no proper mobile product, a lot of effort in 2015 was put into building a mobile dating app. They launched dating app Spark, which was an experiment, and later Crosspaths, a Tinder-like dating app within the Christian community, that has now ~20K monthly active users in LA.

Michael Egan also talked about JSwipe acquisition. Last summer Spark Networks sued Jewish dating app JSwipe but soon realized that JSwipe user base was very complementary to jDate (90% of JSwipe users are under 30, jDate users are 35+), and decided to buy it instead for $7M.

See all posts on Spark Networks

Post by the Courtland Brooks team

Spark, A Dating App Used In Tube, Is Growing

THE NORTHERN ECHO - Apr 29 - David Marsden and Gabriel Sharp have launched "Spark", a dating app designed to be used on the tube. Using a new, low energy Bluetooth rather than data connection, the app could be used where there’s no WiFi or phone signal, while preserving battery life. User sends one free Spark a day and the recipient only receives it once the two have parted ways, they then have 24 hours to respond. Spark has already attracted 10K users since its launch in March. David and Gabriel spent two weeks handing out flyers at Tube stations.

by Ruth Campbell
See full article at The Northern Echo

See all posts on Spark

Summarized by

Spark: A Dating App Designed To Be Used On The Tube

TELEGRAPH.CO.UK - Mar 5 - Spark is a new dating app that aims to connect people in places such as the Tube. It works both with and without an Internet connection. The app can cleverly function over Bluetooth. When users see someone attractive they open the app, find their profile and send them a Spark. The Tube crush will need to be signed up to the app too, so its usability ultimately depends on how many people create an account. The recipient will only receive the Spark once they have parted ways, saving any potential embarrassment. 4K users signed up before it launched last Sunday. That's still some way behind Tinder's estimated 50M users, but it's a positive start. Although the app was primarily designed with the Tube in mind, it has been rolled out across the UK and is already proving popular in Bristol and Manchester.

by Sarah Biddlecombe
See full article at Telegraph.co.uk

Summarized by