Month: February 2007

Spark Networks Appoints New CEO

Posted on February 16, 2007
Logo_spark_3PR NEWSWIRE — Feb 12 — Spark Networks appointed Board Member Adam Berger as CEO. David Siminoff will remain as Chairman. "It has been almost three years since the Board asked me to become CEO. Since Day One, it has been my mission to transform Spark into a financially disciplined company," said Mr. Siminoff. "Through the combined efforts of a great team, we are now generating solid free cash flow for shareholders." Mr. Berger is the former CEO of WeddingChannel.com, President of The Franklin Mint and began his career with Procter and Gamble and The Boston Consulting Group. He holds a Harvard M.B.A. FULL ARTICLE @ SYS-CON

Mark Brooks: Congratulations David. Spark Networks is back onto a healthy track. In January 2005 I covered the Spark Networks numbers at iDate and was a tad embarressed for them. Spark Network's new found focus (under David's leadership) it's niche dating sites is serving them well. Ad spends on American Singles, meanwhile have been throttled back to reasonable and more sustainable/profitable levels.

Spark Networks Appoints New CEO

Posted on February 16, 2007
Logo_spark_3PR NEWSWIRE — Feb 12 — Spark Networks appointed Board Member Adam Berger as CEO. David Siminoff will remain as Chairman. "It has been almost three years since the Board asked me to become CEO. Since Day One, it has been my mission to transform Spark into a financially disciplined company," said Mr. Siminoff. "Through the combined efforts of a great team, we are now generating solid free cash flow for shareholders." Mr. Berger is the former CEO of WeddingChannel.com, President of The Franklin Mint and began his career with Procter and Gamble and The Boston Consulting Group. He holds a Harvard M.B.A. FULL ARTICLE @ SYS-CON

Mark Brooks: Congratulations David. Spark Networks is back onto a healthy track. In January 2005 I covered the Spark Networks numbers at iDate and was a tad embarressed for them. Spark Network's new found focus (under David's leadership) it's niche dating sites is serving them well. Ad spends on American Singles, meanwhile have been throttled back to reasonable and more sustainable/profitable levels.

USA Love Brokers Eye China

Posted on February 16, 2007
Asian_dating_3REUTERS — Feb 13 — Match.com has secured Love21CN.com , one of China's biggest online dating service providers, as its main target for a potential stake purchase or business partnership. eHarmony is also looking at potential partners in China. In November, China.com said it would team up with Meetic for business promotion. Meetic in July also launched a localized Chinese site called "Mi Tang," or "Sweetie" in English. A Meetic-led venture capital consortium is also expected to invest $20 million in Yeeyoo.  iResearch expects the Chinese online personals market revenue to grow by ~60% annually to 653 million yuan ($84.21 million) by 2008.  MySpace will launch in China within months. GSR Ventures and U.S. fund Mayfield jointly invested $2 million in "Baihe" — "Lily" in English — in late 2005.  In December, Baihe began charging 1,980 yuan per person for its high-end "Golden" service.  Most Chinese dating sites are free.
Mark Brooks: I have an interview with the CEO of Baihe.com lined up for OPW in March. Online dating has a casual connotation in China and is often referred to as 'friends-making.' The Asian internet dating conference is scheduled for May in Shanghai. See idate2007.com. 

USA Love Brokers Eye China

Posted on February 16, 2007
Asian_dating_3REUTERS — Feb 13 — Match.com has secured Love21CN.com , one of China's biggest online dating service providers, as its main target for a potential stake purchase or business partnership. eHarmony is also looking at potential partners in China. In November, China.com said it would team up with Meetic for business promotion. Meetic in July also launched a localized Chinese site called "Mi Tang," or "Sweetie" in English. A Meetic-led venture capital consortium is also expected to invest $20 million in Yeeyoo.  iResearch expects the Chinese online personals market revenue to grow by ~60% annually to 653 million yuan ($84.21 million) by 2008.  MySpace will launch in China within months. GSR Ventures and U.S. fund Mayfield jointly invested $2 million in "Baihe" — "Lily" in English — in late 2005.  In December, Baihe began charging 1,980 yuan per person for its high-end "Golden" service.  Most Chinese dating sites are free.
Mark Brooks: I have an interview with the CEO of Baihe.com lined up for OPW in March. Online dating has a casual connotation in China and is often referred to as 'friends-making.' The Asian internet dating conference is scheduled for May in Shanghai. See idate2007.com. 

ENLASO (translate.com) to Online Dating Localization Webinar

Posted on February 15, 2007

Enlaso_logo_webBOULDER — Feb 13 — Enlaso Corporation provides online dating and social networking translation and localization solutions and will present a live Webinar March 1st, 2007, 11am to midday PST, titled "Go Global and Localize the Online Dating. Free to register at: http://www.translate.com

ENLASO (translate.com) to Online Dating Localization Webinar

Posted on February 15, 2007

Enlaso_logo_webBOULDER — Feb 13 — Enlaso Corporation provides online dating and social networking translation and localization solutions and will present a live Webinar March 1st, 2007, 11am to midday PST, titled "Go Global and Localize the Online Dating. Free to register at: http://www.translate.com

Various, Inc. (FriendFinder) Acquires Bondage.com

Posted on February 15, 2007

VariousEMAIL WIRE — Feb 12 — Various, Inc., the leading owner of intimate dating and relationships websites, has acquired Bondage.com, a highly popular site devoted to alternative lifestyles. The newly acquired company will join the Various site Alt.com and together they will create the world's largest online community for bondage, discipline and fetish enthusiasts (BDSM).

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

Mark Brooks: This deal was a long time in the making. Since 2003. It's the perfect fit for extreme niche dating site, Alt.com.

Various, Inc. (FriendFinder) Acquires Bondage.com

Posted on February 15, 2007

VariousEMAIL WIRE — Feb 12 — Various, Inc., the leading owner of intimate dating and relationships websites, has acquired Bondage.com, a highly popular site devoted to alternative lifestyles. The newly acquired company will join the Various site Alt.com and together they will create the world's largest online community for bondage, discipline and fetish enthusiasts (BDSM).

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

Mark Brooks: This deal was a long time in the making. Since 2003. It's the perfect fit for extreme niche dating site, Alt.com.

Gaydar Founder Dies in Mystery Fall

Posted on February 14, 2007

Gary_frisch_1THE INDEPENDENT — Feb 13 — One of Britain's leading gay businessmen, the co-founder of Gaydar, has been found dead, after apparently falling eight floors from his penthouse. Scotland Yard said the death of Gary Frisch, 38, on Saturday was "unexplained" and were investigating to see whether it was an accident or suicide. There is no immediate suggestion of suspicious circumstances. A South African by birth, Mr Frisch and his then personal partner, Henry Badenhorst, 37, founded Gaydar in 1999, two years after they moved to Britain. Gaydar is believed to be earning £1m+ a year and has more than four million subscribers.

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

Gaydar Founder Dies in Mystery Fall

Posted on February 14, 2007

Gary_frisch_1THE INDEPENDENT — Feb 13 — One of Britain's leading gay businessmen, the co-founder of Gaydar, has been found dead, after apparently falling eight floors from his penthouse. Scotland Yard said the death of Gary Frisch, 38, on Saturday was "unexplained" and were investigating to see whether it was an accident or suicide. There is no immediate suggestion of suspicious circumstances. A South African by birth, Mr Frisch and his then personal partner, Henry Badenhorst, 37, founded Gaydar in 1999, two years after they moved to Britain. Gaydar is believed to be earning £1m+ a year and has more than four million subscribers.

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