Month: December 2005

Online Video-Sharing Service

Posted on December 9, 2005

Grouper_networksASSOCIATED PRESS — Dec 7 — Grouper Networks will let users share their homemade videos over the Internet and play them on portable devices such as the iPod. The free service will give users the platform and software tools to present photos and video taken from their cameras to an online audience of their choice.  They will offer unlimited uploads of video clips and a downloadable video application allowing users to edit their movies, add music and effects, and compress the files. The service lets users publish their filmstrips or videos to other Web destinations such as Friendster and MySpace. 

The full article was originally published at CNet, but is no longer available.

Online Personals Watch Announces its First Industry White Paper

Posted on December 9, 2005

PR WEB — Dec 7 — Online Personals Watch is now providing white papers as an addition to online personals news, commentary, CEO interviews and the top 15 online personals industry rankings (courtesy of Hitwise and Nielsen//Netratings). The white papers are intended as a suggestion of prominent and noteworthy new features to the industry. "An Introduction to Anonymous Phone Calling Services," overviews: Mobestar, Phone Matrix, PrivateTel, Vivox and VoiceStar.  The white paper can be received by request by emailing mark@courtlandbrooks.com. The next white paper will overview features of the top 10 online dating sites.  RELEASE @ PR WEB

Think Partnership to Acquire iLead Media for Lead Generation

Posted on December 9, 2005

Ilead_mediaBUSINESS WIRE — Dec 6 — Think Partnership expects iLead to add more than $3 million of pre-tax income to the Company during 2006. $7 million in cash and $7 million in common stock.  Based in Utah, iLead Media creates one-of-a-kind, permission-based online lead generation campaigns and permission-based telemarketing leads to call centers around the world, and has strong relationships with affiliate marketing networks.

Mark Brooks: Think owns a number of internet marketing companies along with Vintacom/Relationship Exchange. 

Joe Shapira to Resign as Executive of Spark Networks

Posted on December 6, 2005

Joe_shapiraPR NEWSWIRE — Dec 1 — Joe Shapira, one of Spark Networks founders and executive chairman of the Board of Directors, has decided to resign. Mr. Shapira will continue to be a director and serve as Chairman of the company's Board of Directors.  Mr. Shapira launched JDate from his home in 1997. He plans to spend his time developing other business ventures.

Great Hill Partners Takes 19.8% Stake in Spark Networks

Posted on December 6, 2005
Logo of Spark Networks

PRESSE PORTAL — Dec 5 — Great Hills Partners, a Boston-based equity management firm with $1.2 Billion under management, purchased 6,000,000 shares of Spark Networks representing a 19.8% stake in the company. 

The full article was originally published at Presse Portal, but is no longer available.

Think Partnership Acquires Vintacom for $2.75M, 1.1M Shares

Posted on December 6, 2005

Think_partnershipYAHOO NEWS CANADA — Dec 5 — Think Partnership has bought Canadian-based online dating company Vintacom Media Group Inc. in a cash-stock deal valued at about $5.2 million US. Vintacom hosts over 120 online dating sites in Canada and the U.S. Vintacom CEO Brad Hogg will continue to head the business, which employs 100 people.

CroppingTool Offers One Month Free Trial to Dating Sites

Posted on December 6, 2005

Cropping_tool_1PR WEB — Dec 5 — LookBetterOnline’s CroppingTool automatically turns sub-standard images into attractive headshots that create a clean and consistent look to dating websites.  CroppingTool is an advanced face recognition software that automatically crops the thousands of irregular snapshots submitted by subscribers to a desired size and aspect ratio.  Dave Coy – 562.537.4424 for pricing and solution options.  RELEASE @ PR WEB

Mark Brooks: Merav and Dave have done a great job with LookBetterOnline and have released another much needed service with their CroppingTool.  The better the photos on online personals sites, the better the site looks…and performs.

10 Reasons Why Dating Makes You Happy

Posted on December 6, 2005

Dating_makes_you_happyTHIRD AGE — Dec 5 — Here’s one of the ten…Talking and connecting with another person releases your endorphins. Just as exercise releases endorphins, so too does exercising your ‘social’ muscles by dating. Throw in a whole bunch of other chemicals that are triggered, including prolactin, adrenalin and PEA (phenylethylamine), and you may never need prescription meds again.

The full article was originally published at Third Age, but is no longer available.

Microsoft Aims to End Inbox Bane with Panes

Posted on December 6, 2005

SnarfITP TECHNOLOGY — Dec 5 — Software giant Microsoft has unveiled a new free tool called SNARF that helps users sift through bulging inboxes using a social sorting approach. SNARF stands for Social Network and Relationship Finder.  The tool counts e-mails, sorts them by sender, and draws assumptions about their priority based on the frequency of interaction. If the tool proves popular with users, Microsoft plans to include the feature in upcoming versions of its e-mail clients. Users can download the beta version of SNARF. 

The full article was originally published at ITP Technology, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: Gmail allows users to see threads by conversation and search at lightning speed.  This is Microsoft's answer.  Let SNARF index your mail, then, from the SNARF window, try right clicking on a contact 'Open in thread view.'  Nice!  Your conversations displayed. 

Don’t Give up on Internet Dating

Posted on December 6, 2005

Matchcom_8OC REGISTER — Dec 5 — After three years of persistence, nothing has clicked. I fear the more successful I become, the tougher it will be to find a man who would genuinely appreciate me and my success. Is it time to check out the convent and see how I look in robes of black?"  Success stories keep surfacing that deliver a message: Instead of throwing in the Internet towel, or donning robes of black, keep trying.  Diana, 68, a widow, had been on Internet dating site Match.com for three years. Diana and Bill became engaged in July, and plan to marry in February. Diana says both feel more intensity now than either did in their combined 74 years of marriage. 

The full article was originally published at OC Register, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: The senior dating niche is hot.  Silversingles and Seniorfriendfinder are the category leaders.