REUTERS – Sep 18 – FriendFinder Networks had struck a deal with noteholders that will reduce its debt by $300M. One group of noteholders will take ownership of the sex entertainment business. Control of the company would go to Andrew Conru and Lars Mapstead. In 2007 FFN bought Various Inc and its dating websites from Conru and Mapstead for $400M.
Month: September 2013
Jewish Niche Available On DatingFactory’s Platform
PR WEB – Sep 18 – Private label dating provider, DatingFactory, is offering new Jewish niche on their platform. DatingFactory now supports close to 60 niches.
Instant Chemistry Launches Genetic Testing For The Dating Industry
PR NEWSWIRE – Sep 17 – Instant Chemistry, a biotechnology company, is launching first direct-to-consumer genetic testing for dating services. Body scent strongly affects human sexual attraction. Our body scent is determined by the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system which is a driving force in mate choice and suggests that up to 40% of physical attraction can be determined through genes alone.
Inside eHarmony
TECH CRUNCH – Sep 18 – Cribs is a new Tech Crunch TV series that takes you inside the walls of the hottest companies. The first episode takes us to eHarmony‘s office.
FriendFinder Networks Files For Bankruptcy
HUFFINGTON POST – Sep 17 – FriendFinder Networks has filled for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to cut its dept as it's struggling to make certain loan payments. The company's estimated liabilities are $500M – $1 billion and assets ~10M. FriendFinder Networks has not been profitable since 2008.
From FFN Press Release: FFN has also reached an agreement with key stakeholders to refinance their long term debt. It will allow the company to reinvest in its business and secure the growth of their strongest brands. "All operations will continue as normal throughout this process," said FFN's CEO Anthony Previte.
Next iDate To Be Held In Brazil
OPW – Sep 17 – The first South American Internet dating conference (iDate) is being held in November 21-22, in São Paulo, Brazil. South America and Brazil especially are currently the hottest international online dating markets. C-level executives and senior managers will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of entering the South American market.
MySingleFriend.com Unveils First TV Ad
THE DRUM – Sep 16 – The ad shows seven wingmen and women pitching their single friends to potential daters. Television personality and founder of MySingleFriend, Sarah Beeny, said: “Nobody has ever ‘advertised’ a single friend on television before.
Thrill Is Rethinking Dating In India
NEXT BIG WHAT – Sep 5 – Thrill is a new dating app released for the Indian market. On Thrill women get to make all the decisions. Married men and those interested in "sex chat" won't get access. Dating is a relatively new concept in India. The older generations still look down upon it. Most dating sites in India lack credibility. Guys are creeping on women by incessantly messaging them inappropriately,” says Josh Israel, Thrill's co-founder.
by Anand Murali
The full article was originally published at The Next Big What, but is no longer available.
Match.com To Use Facial Recognition For Better Matches
MASHABLE – Sep 16 – Dating sites are collecting an enormous amount of data about how people look for a partner. "We keep refining our algorithms," said Amarnath Thombre, president of Match.com. "We take historical data into account, as well as distance, and what people say they want in a partner and who they are pursuing." In the future, Match.com wants to use facial recognition technology, which allows users to highlight the features they are most attracted to so the site can provide them with better matches. HowAboutWe's focus is on offline. "It's difficult to predict chemistry online," said Aaron Schildkrout, HowAboutWe co-founder and co-CEO. "That's why we focus is on actual dates. It’s only after you achieve significant liquidity in a market that you can build a useful algorithm."
Indians Hit Mobile Apps To Find Love
TIMES OF INDIA – Sep 15 – Grindr has ~11K monthly users in India. "In conservative regions where being gay may be taboo, Grindr allows for connections that wouldn't happen face-to-face so it's not surprising that it is popular in India," says a Grindr spokesperson. SinglesAroundMe claims they have 66K Indian subscribers. "India is third after the US and UK and represents only 5% of our user base presently, but the number is growing very quickly," says CEO Christopher Klotz. Thrill is another app that is getting popular in India. Thrill's 'he applies she decides' approach enables women to choose the men they want in. Thrill won't be enabling their locator technology at the moment.
by Sonal Nerurkar
See full article at Times if India