BDAILY.CO.UK – May 9 – We see our phones as an extension of ourselves, according to new research from the University of Cologne. The findings, published in the journal Electronic Commerce Research, demonstrate that we only retain apps on our phones either because they tie into our self-image or if we believe they are or will be useful, keeping them 'just in case'. Professor Fritze suggests that digital services are so pervasive that we now see them as an extension of ourselves.
Month: May 2019
Indian Women on Bumble Chat Twice as Much as Those Elsewhere
QUARTZ – May 9 – Bumble entered India in December 2018, at a time when the country was already flooded with online dating apps. But just five months later, the company says it has witnessed record-breaking success in the country. Indians have already started ~2M conversations on its platforms, says Priti Joshi, Bumble's global director of strategy. Also, ~60% of Indian women on Bumble are using at least two of its modes (Dating, Bizz, BFF), which is higher than in any other country.
Bumble’s Louise Troen on Censoring Dick Pics Using AI
THE NEXT WEB – May 9 – Bumble has recently introduced AI to automatically censor unsolicited dick pics to make online dating for women a safer and friendlier space. Starting in June, users of dating apps including Bumble, Badoo, Chappy, and Lumen will have access to the AI-based tool "Private Detector." The tool, which allegedly has a 98% accuracy in spotting nudes, will warn users of an image it deems as "lewd" or offensive. "Putting women's safety first is out top priority," says Louise Troen, Bumble's VP of Internal Marketing and Communications in the UK. "We have 1000s of moderators, all around the world, looking for it. AI is built into Bumble that can monitor and find images like this."
HappyGo Launches On-The-Day Dating App
Google: Indians Are Searching ‘Dating’ More Than ‘Matrimony’
BUSINESS TODAY – May 9 – Out of the billion search queries that Google gets from India, dating and ordering pizza are two things Indians are most excited about. There is 40% growth in dating related searches in India, much faster than the matrimony queries. There is also 37% increase in online dating brand queries versus 13% increase in interest for matrimony brands.
Whitney Wolfe Herd’s Work Diary
NEW YORK TIMES – May 9 – Bumble founder's week includes testifying before the Texas Legislature, planning a new headquarters and avoiding a lethally enthusiastic Great Dane. In addition to Bumble, the dating app that requires women to make the first move, Whitney Wolfe Herd, the company's founder and CEO, oversees an app for friends (Bumble BFF), an app for networking (Bumble Bizz), an app for gay men (Chappy), a print magazine (Bumble Mag), an investment fund (Bumble Fund), a film fund (Bumble Presents … The Female Film Force), a psychotherapeutic skin care line (Bumble Beauty), a restaurant concept (Bumble Brew), operations in nine countries, and a slew of celebrity investors and endorsers including Priyanka Chopra and Serena Williams.
Match Group Paid Millions in Stock Awards That Could Help Tinder co-Founder’s $2 Billion Lawsuit
THE VERGE – May 8 – Match Group had to pay Tinder employees $9.4M in stock compensation this quarter because of the app's rapid growth. That might be consequential in the $2B lawsuit the company faces from Tinder co-founder Sean Rad. Rad claims Match purposely undervalued Tinder in an effort to avoid paying out billions of dollars in stock to the team's original employees. An independent valuation earlier this year valued Tinder at $10B, which would trigger performance-based payouts. This new valuation, which comes only two years after Match valued Tinder at $3B, could lend Rad's case some merit.
Tinder Partners With NGO for Animal Rescue Help
FEMINA.IN – May 8 – In India, only 1 in 12 abandoned pets are rehomed, and the estimate on pets abandoned run into thousands. Friendicoes SECA, a Delhi-based NGO, estimates that up to 600 pets are abandoned every year in the city, of which only about 100 to 150 find new homes. So dating app Tinder is partnering with animal rescue and shelter foundations to help users find their #PawfectMatch. Users will be able to swipe on pet profiles, and swiping right will redirect them to fill out a form to indicate their preference from adopting, fostering, donating or volunteering, after which the process will be taken further.
by Shraddha Kamdar
See full article at Femina
The Meet Group Reports Q1 Financial Results – Revenue Up 32%
BUSINESS WIRE – May 8 – Q1 revenue is $49.5M, up 32% YOY. Net income is $7M, up from $4.1M in Q1 2018. "Our strong progress in video continued in the first quarter," said CEO Geoff Cook. "We grew video revenue to ~$20M, a more than four-fold increase from the year ago quarter." Average video revenue per daily active video user increased to 26c, up from 18c in the Q4 of 2018, while ~20% of users engaged in video every day.
Match Group Stock Bounced Back, Facebook Hasn’t Killed Tinder
BARRON'S – May 8 – It has been a year since Facebook announced it was getting into online dating and Match Group stock fell to $35. But it closed at $60 yesterday, and it was recently up 6% in after-hours trading after the company announced Q1 results. Tinder performed well, with subscribers and ARPU described as the main reasons for Match's revenue growth. Facebook, meanwhile, continues to move ahead with dating services. It is expected in the US later this year.
by David Marino-Nachison
See full article at Barron's
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