ADEXCHANGER – Aug 27 – When the gay dating app, which now has ~12M users, first came on the scene in 2010, its monetization strategy could pretty much be summed up in one word: AdMob. But in January, the Grindr competitor decided to remove all its banner ad slots and stop selling its inventory programmatically. Today, subscriptions and in-app purchases make up ~80% of its revenue, and a direct ad sales team is responsible for rustling up the remainder. Some brands shy away from dating traffic, citing brand safety concerns, which makes it tricky for Scruff to monetize with advertising.
Month: August 2018
A Study Provides Insight On How To Get More Right Swipes On Tinder
NEWSWISE – Aug 27 – A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research discovered that if something looks to the right, people are more likely to swipe right and vice-versa. Students from Ghent University (Belgium) were shown images of toys, pictograms, shoes and gadgets to verify findings. "We have the tendency to always swipe in the direction of the image because it is active in our minds and this study shows there is spillover to the motor neurons in our brain," says Mario Pandelaere, a Virginia Tech associate professor.
Match Group Investigation Started
Meet Group’s Link-up Site Veers Into Live Streaming Video And Sees Its Stock Jump
PHILLY.COM – Aug 25 – Meet Group is like China's Momo, with its live streaming video chat. Live streaming on its Quick app now attracts ~850K of its 4M paid and premium-feature free users daily. Those subscription and "gift" payments account for a quarter of Meet Group's revenues. By the end of the year, Meet Group plans to offer a new video product, Battle, that will enable two or more competing performers to register paid gifts as signs of favor from viewers, a kind of interactive mobile America's Got Talent. Last year, Meet Group bought Germany-based Lovoo, a five-year-old, mostly European dating app funded by subscriptions, purchases and ads, for $70M in cash, plus up to $5M in sales bonuses. That purchase boosted Meet Group sales by $32M. In 2016, Meet acquired IfWe for $60M and Skout for $52M. In 2011 it merged with Quepasa, a Latin America-focused, publicly traded social-media company.
by Joseph N. DiStefano
See full article at Philly.com
Consumers Are Not So Enthusiastic About AI, Study Shows
MEDIAPOST – Aug 25 – Many are nervous about our robotic future, judging by Artificial Intelligence And the Very Real, Real-World Anxiety It Causes, a study by Elicit. 59% feel that while AI may provide benefits, there are inherent risks. Only 15% think it is a benevolent force for good, while 8% are undecided. And 18% say it will pose a threat to humanity. The study shows that 73% think some firms will go too far with AI. And 64% worry that they will use AI and “the information they have about me to engage with me.” While 58% would be happy if a dating site suggested a potential soul mate based on questions they answered, 73% would be nervous if the site suggested a date in an establishment that both parties frequent.
Comedian Norm MacDonald Co-Created A Video-Only Dating App
URBAN DADDY – Aug 23 – Video dating app Loko launched this month in the US and Canada. It's a video-based dating app that places an emphasis on getting users face-to-face with a match. First, users create a video-only profile, which is an eight-second max introduction, and an optional "About Me" video, which can run up to 30 seconds. Every profile is approved by an administrator before going live. Then they'll swipe through potential matches, as they would with other dating apps. Once a connection is made, they'll have 24 hours to schedule a virtual "Elimidate" in the app. The "Elimidate" is essentially a pre-date interview: an up-to-15-minute video chat with the match.
OKCupid Makes Breakups Fun With Bingo
GAMING POST – Aug 22 – OKCupid is helping its users to discard old keepsakes of their past lovers by allowing them to add them to a massive prize pool at the All My Exes Bingo Night. The game will be hosted at the Chicago Athletic Association's game room from 6pm to 8pm on three separate Mondays, with the first already past on August 20th, and the next 2 scheduled for September 10, and September 24 this year. Producer and comedian Ashley Tribble serves as the host, helping to add a more jovial and lighthearted atmosphere to the mix.
by Ben Hamill
See full article at Gaming Post
Q&A With Molly Peckler, Founder & CEO Of Highly Devoted
CT POST – Aug 22 – Molly Peckler created the first matchmaking service for cannabis enthusiasts in 2015.
Q: How did you get into the cannabis business?
A: A member of my family unexpectedly become a cannabis advocate, fighting to treat her young son's seizures. I'd read about cannabis' healing properties, but to see its power up close changed me forever.
Q: What was your vision for the company?
A: When I founded Highly Devoted, the only other businesses related to connecting over cannabis were a few stoner dating sites. I had a vision for creating a service and brand for smart, savvy, successful, well-respected people who used cannabis responsibly. Unfortunately, the stoner stigma runs deep, so pushing back against reefer madness is a constant battle.
Q: What obstacles and challenges have you experienced?
A: Google and Facebook are not welcoming to cannabis-centric brands, so digital advertising on mainstream platforms has been nearly impossible.
Q: How have you overcome these obstacles?
A: My best bet for getting the word out has been pitching stories to the media. Networking is also essential. I’ve realized that the best way to fight the stigma is by putting myself out there.
Q: What's been your greatest lesson learned?
A: Talk is cheap. Be wary of people who promise you the world without any action to back it up.
by Cynthia Salarizadeh
See full article at CT Post
Momo Q2 2018 Results
PR NEWSWIRE – Aug 22 – Net revenues increased 58% YOY to $494.3M. Net income increased to $117.8M in the Q2 '18 from $60.8M YOY. Monthly active users were 108M in June, compared to 91.3M last year. Live video service revenues continued its growth momentum and the total live video service revenues were $411M with 4.6M paying users. Momo started as an online dating app and has now progressed to being a full social media company.