Month: November 2007

Sparkker To Put Internet Dating Industry Out of Business?

Posted on November 17, 2007

SparkkerTHE DAILY NORTHWESTERN — Nov 16 — Online dating is about to get easier thanks to Sparkker, a new application on Facebook. Sparkker allows users to form groups with their friends and plan real-life events to interact with potential dating partners in real world. Sparkker is relying on word of mouth and Facebooks is a quick and easy way to spread the interest.

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

Mark Brooks: Calling all internet dating product managers. You might want to think about making a dating widget for your internet dating company. Some of the most popular widgets are dating oriented. Lavalife and Match are focusing on an older demographic these days. Where's the youngsters? Fiddling with Hotornot on Facebook.

Speed Dating For Sugar Daddies

Posted on November 16, 2007

Speed_dater_events_logoPRESS RELEASE — Nov 16 — UK based single events company, SpeedDater, is launching Purple Sky Clubetquot (see Purple Sky Club) to introduce young girls to highly successful entrepreneurs and millionaires. The first event will be on Dec 7th. Girls have to apply by email with three recent photos. 50 girls will be chosen and invited to attend the party at the secret penthouse location.

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

Mark Brooks: Here's the rankings for the sugar daddy online dating category…

Jajah And Jangl Partnership

Posted on November 15, 2007

Jangljajah_2REUTERS — Nov 15 — Jajah and Jangl have formed a partnership. Both companies provide alternative Internet based alternatives to traditional phone calls. They also offer calling services for social networking sites that allow users to call each other without revealing their mobile or home phone numbers. Jajah's strength is discount long-distance. Jangl has focused on offering phone services through Match.com, Facebook, and FriendFinder. The partnership would help them gain a competitive edge against rivals such as Jaxtr, said Michael Cerda, CEO of Jangl. FULL ARTICLE @ REUTERS

Mark Brooks: A potent combination. Anonymous calling + click-to-call with cheap long distance.

Anastasia Unusual Promo

Posted on November 15, 2007

Anastasia_international_logoPRESS RELEASE — Nov 15 — Russian dating site, Anastasia International, has a new advertising project called 'AnastasiaTruck'. The Anastasia Truck will travel to various locations: New York to LA, from Chicago to Houston. In addition, everyone can get complimentary credits from Anastasia International. All they need is to see the Truck and make a photo. Authors of the best photos will be rewarded.

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

Mark Brooks: Step 1. find independent trucker whose truck needs a paint job, Step 2. pay for paint job, Step 3. create site for lead tracking and push out press releases. Your comments please…

Camazon To Offer Trustcash Payment Option

Posted on November 14, 2007

Trustcash_logoPRESS RELEASE — Nov 13 — Trustcash signed Camazon a leader in adult personals. Trustcash offers consumers the ability to pay for internet services by credit or by cash through debit cards purchased at retail locations, anonymously and with complete privacy.

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

eSnips Debuts “Social DNA”

Posted on November 14, 2007

Esnips_logoTECH CRUNCH — Nov 13 — Israel-based eSnips, is releasing a new feature called "Social DNA" meant to help users discover people similar to themselves. The idea's simple and already executed in one form or another by most online dating services. Plus, the feature doesn't add much substance. But who knows; maybe eSnips' reported four million users will really dig Social DNA. FULL ARTICLE @ TECH CRUNCH

Iovation Gets $10 Million Intel Investment

Posted on November 13, 2007

Iovation
PRESS RELEASE — Nov 13 — Intel Capital announced a $10 million investment in iovation, a company which provides online security and fraud protection services to internet dating companies, amongst others. iovation's real-time service prevents click fraud, identity theft, phishing, and charge-backs, as well as abuses such as child predation. The company, which gets 450 million reputation inquiries each year, has customers in social networking, financial services and e-commerce. Intel's investment will be used to accelerate the development of next-generation fraud and abuse management solutions, broaden the company's intellectual property and propel the evolution of online trust. FULL ARTICLE @ BIZ JOURNALS

Mark Brooks: (Disclosure: iovation is a client of Courtland Brooks). There are two sides to what iovation does.  Firstly they id devices (computers). Secondly they allow dating sites and SNS to share the 'reputation' of those  devices in one network. Intels round of funding is a huge vote of confidence in iovation's technology. iovation has several clients in the dating space…and counting.

This post also appears on SocialNetworkingWatch.

Lavalife Launches Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on November 13, 2007

Lavalife_holidays_logo_4PRESS RELEASE — Nov 12 — Lavalife has launched their new holiday shopping and entertaining guide at http://www.holidays.lavalife.com, which includes articles such as "Holiday Gifts for New Loves", "Green Gifting", "Gifts for Pampered Pets", "Spicy Stocking Stuffers", and "Handling Secret Santa", as well as ideas for singles events, specialty cocktails and other entertaining ideas. Users can purchase directly from the site through site partners. FULL ARTICLE @ CLICK PRESS

Mark Brooks: Dating sites are looking to advertising to raise average revenue per user. Rather than advertise, Lavalife is 'recommending'. That should be more effective and relevant and make them more money than regular ads. 

myPartnerPerfect Becomes MyPartner.com

Posted on November 13, 2007

Mypartner_logoPRESS RELEASE — Nov 11 — The company, which is the Gay Man's answer to eHarmony, recently shortened its name to myPartner.com. The site is targeted at gay men looking for relationships rather than casual dating and offers matchmaking and dating advice. It uses a process called the Partner Perfect Compatibility™ Matching System developed by its founder, Dr. Patrick H. Perrine, which is specific to the complexities of gay men seeking gay men. FULL ARTICLE @ NEWSWIRE TODAY

Mark Brooks: The myPartnerPerfect.com domain was just a little too long. myPartner.com is a name that is on par with the eHarmony.com name. Now myPartner just needs $20 million for Q1's TV ad budget…   (Disclosure: myPartner is a Courtland Brooks client)