Month: April 2007

The French and Internet Dating

Posted on April 18, 2007

Meetic_logoTIMES ONLINE — Apr 18 — In five years, Marc Simoncini has lifted taboos, attracted younger customers and transformed internet dating into a popular pastime for a liberated nation seeking excitement. Now the founder of Meetic, the French site, hopes to do the same thing in Britain. “We’re going to shake things up a bit,” says Mr Simoncini, who purchased DatingDirect for £27.3 million in January. He’s promising massive advertising, instant messaging and a connection to Meetic’s 28 million users throughout Europe, and is pledging the Gallic approach to romance. “There are only two philosophies in this business,” Mr Simoncini, 43, said. “The American philosophy and the French one. The Americans try to sell you love. We sell une rencontre [an encounter] and I don’t care what happens afterwards.” “We’ve managed to make online dating something that is lighter and more fun,” he said. The average age of the group’s French customers is 32, compared to 41 for online dating agencies in Britain and an average of 46 worldwide. The group has acquired businesses in China, Brazil and the Netherlands, and recorded profits growing 77% in 2006 to €10.1 million. Annual sales have risen from €1.1 million in 2002 to €79 million last year.

15m – Single people in France
80% – Meetic’s market share in France
€29 – Monthly cost of a Meetic subscription
400,000 – Paying subscribers in France
€243m – Value of online dating industry in Europe
€485m – Value of online dating industry in the United States
FULL ARTICLE @ TIMES ONLINE

The French and Internet Dating

Posted on April 18, 2007

Meetic_logoTIMES ONLINE — Apr 18 — In five years, Marc Simoncini has lifted taboos, attracted younger customers and transformed internet dating into a popular pastime for a liberated nation seeking excitement. Now the founder of Meetic, the French site, hopes to do the same thing in Britain. “We’re going to shake things up a bit,” says Mr Simoncini, who purchased DatingDirect for £27.3 million in January. He’s promising massive advertising, instant messaging and a connection to Meetic’s 28 million users throughout Europe, and is pledging the Gallic approach to romance. “There are only two philosophies in this business,” Mr Simoncini, 43, said. “The American philosophy and the French one. The Americans try to sell you love. We sell une rencontre [an encounter] and I don’t care what happens afterwards.” “We’ve managed to make online dating something that is lighter and more fun,” he said. The average age of the group’s French customers is 32, compared to 41 for online dating agencies in Britain and an average of 46 worldwide. The group has acquired businesses in China, Brazil and the Netherlands, and recorded profits growing 77% in 2006 to €10.1 million. Annual sales have risen from €1.1 million in 2002 to €79 million last year.

15m – Single people in France
80% – Meetic’s market share in France
€29 – Monthly cost of a Meetic subscription
400,000 – Paying subscribers in France
€243m – Value of online dating industry in Europe
€485m – Value of online dating industry in the United States
FULL ARTICLE @ TIMES ONLINE

Man Loses £16,000

Posted on April 18, 2007

BBC — Apr 17 — A 48-year-old Kent man is £16,000 poorer after falling in love with two women over the internet and waiting at airports five times for them to turn up in the UK. He struck up a relationship with Natalia, from Russia, and sent her £10,000 to pay for her travel and a visa so she could be with him and went to meet her at Heathrow Airport four times, but she never arrived. He then met Amada, from Senegal, sent her £6,000, but was again left waiting in the arrivals lounge of the airport. FULL ARTICLE @ BBC.CO.UK

Mark Brooks: The rules are simple, don’t send money. Buy an air ticket perhaps, make sure it’s refundable to you only.

Man Loses £16,000

Posted on April 18, 2007

BBC — Apr 17 — A 48-year-old Kent man is £16,000 poorer after falling in love with two women over the internet and waiting at airports five times for them to turn up in the UK. He struck up a relationship with Natalia, from Russia, and sent her £10,000 to pay for her travel and a visa so she could be with him and went to meet her at Heathrow Airport four times, but she never arrived. He then met Amada, from Senegal, sent her £6,000, but was again left waiting in the arrivals lounge of the airport. FULL ARTICLE @ BBC.CO.UK

Mark Brooks: The rules are simple, don’t send money. Buy an air ticket perhaps, make sure it’s refundable to you only.

America’s Crush on Crush or Flush

Posted on April 18, 2007

PRESS RELEASE — Apr 18 — Icebreaker's Crush or Flush provides an easy way to flirt, chat, and meet local people, right from your cell phone. Members create picture profiles with tags and personal descriptions so that others can see who they are and what they are into.  When two people like each other, they have a mutual crush and can send anonymous text messages to each other. Crush or Flush reached 20 million monthly page views and 100,000 registered members 90 days after launch, 99% via cell phones. Text 'FREE' to CRUSH (27874) or visit http://www.CrushorFlush.com.

America’s Crush on Crush or Flush

Posted on April 18, 2007

PRESS RELEASE — Apr 18 — Icebreaker's Crush or Flush provides an easy way to flirt, chat, and meet local people, right from your cell phone. Members create picture profiles with tags and personal descriptions so that others can see who they are and what they are into.  When two people like each other, they have a mutual crush and can send anonymous text messages to each other. Crush or Flush reached 20 million monthly page views and 100,000 registered members 90 days after launch, 99% via cell phones. Text 'FREE' to CRUSH (27874) or visit http://www.CrushorFlush.com.

Match.com Appoints New MD

Posted on April 17, 2007

Matchcom_18FINANCE WEEK — Apr 17 — Match.com has appointed Jason Stockwood as managing director of its UK business. He was the managing director of Travelocity Business EMEA. Before Travelocity, Stockwood spent five years with lastminute.com and began his career at Trailfinders and Lufthansa Airlines.

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

Match.com Appoints New MD

Posted on April 17, 2007

Matchcom_18FINANCE WEEK — Apr 17 — Match.com has appointed Jason Stockwood as managing director of its UK business. He was the managing director of Travelocity Business EMEA. Before Travelocity, Stockwood spent five years with lastminute.com and began his career at Trailfinders and Lufthansa Airlines.

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

Avoid Online Dating Scams

Posted on April 17, 2007

AntiscamWCPO — Apr 16 — According to RomanceScams.org, "We have had people who lost their houses, their cars, their jobs. Because they are so into this person they would do anything." Now, dating sites are finally taking action. eHarmony.com and Match.com now list warning signs that a romeo may be a con artist. True.com conducts background checks on members. RomanceScams.org and DontDateHimGirl list people to avoid. Be diligent and suspicious of anyone who comes on aggressively at a dating site and are outside the us, or short on cash.

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

Avoid Online Dating Scams

Posted on April 17, 2007

AntiscamWCPO — Apr 16 — According to RomanceScams.org, "We have had people who lost their houses, their cars, their jobs. Because they are so into this person they would do anything." Now, dating sites are finally taking action. eHarmony.com and Match.com now list warning signs that a romeo may be a con artist. True.com conducts background checks on members. RomanceScams.org and DontDateHimGirl list people to avoid. Be diligent and suspicious of anyone who comes on aggressively at a dating site and are outside the us, or short on cash.

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