Month: May 2006

4th Annual Online Personals Convention, Jan 15-16 2007 in Miami

Posted on May 3, 2006

IdatePR NEWSWIRE — May 2 — The 11th Internet Dating Conference will be at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  The 4th Annual Conference and expo will focus on management, technology and marketing for the industry. Mobile dating, cultural marketing, event planning, metrics, advertising strategies and software will be discussed at this event. Attending will be senior execs from the internet dating and social networking industries, analysts, marketing firms, telecom firms, software companies, affiliate managers, background check companies, payment processors, affiliates and entrepreneurs.  The Internet Dating Convention is also known as iDate 2006.

Mark Brooks: At the convention center no less 😉   Everybody who is anybody in (or wants to talk to) the online personals industry, will be there. 

Gay Christian Matchmaking; GayHarmony.net

Posted on May 3, 2006

GayharmonynetGAY TODAY — May 1 — GayHarmony.net emerged because of the lack of a meeting meeting place for gay Christians. Founder, Justin Cannon (21), will graduate this May from Earlham College with a minor in Religion and plans to attend the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, an Episcopal seminary in Berkeley, CA, as he pursues priesthood in the Episcopal Church. 

Mark Brooks: Sam, whaddya think?  Dr Clark has got to love this 🙂   It’s about time someone launched a gay version of eHarmony.

Spark Networks Reports Q1 Results

Posted on May 3, 2006

Sparknetworks_2SPARK NETWORKS NEWSROOM — Apr 27 — JDate revenue and average paying subscribers increased 8% and 13%. During Q1, Spark redesigned and rebranded its Christian community (ChristianMingle.com) as Relationships.com, already the most-visited Christian community.  Revenue for Q1 2006 was $16.8 million, up 2% on Q1 2005. Spark has reduced spending for AmericanSingles in order to lower customer acquisition costs. Net income was $710,000. EBITDAS profit of $3.4 million, the best to date, up 10%.  Direct subscriber acquisition costs for JDate was $13.20, up 47%, and $35.19 for AmericanSingles, up 37%.

The full article was originally published at Spark Networks website, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: One can argue that niche dating sites could be quashed by the big dating sites improving their search capability (e.g. reverse search). However, that argument doesn't take into account the power of a niche dating brand; the attraction of a focused site geared towards a particular demographic, interest, fetish, etc.  E.g. Jdate (Jewish), Webdate (first date on a webcam), ChristianCafe.com (Christians), DateMyPet (Pet Lovers), Sexsearch (Sex Lovers?).  All are powerful brands, worlds apart.  Specific interest dating sites will endure and enjoy especially good word-of-mouth marketing efficiencies, if they do a good job.  Spark (American Singles) has recognised, 'if you can beat 'em, might as well join 'em,' and is shifting it's attention to it's niche dating sites. 

Facebook Goes Corporate

Posted on May 1, 2006

CNET NEWS — Apr 28 — Facebook expanded its membership to the corporate world, currently allowing only employees of a select 10 companies and one nonprofit to join Facebook using their respective .com and .org addresses.  Last week Facebook secured a $25 million second round of funding led by Greylock Partners. 

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

Mark Brooks: Facebook continues to reel in high caliber, high value eyeballs.