BBC – George Rawlings, 29, wanted to make dating less complicated and launched Thursday from his bedroom last year. He hoped by narrowing the app to one day it would give users a sense of urgency to organise a date straight away and cut down on small talk. It has been downloaded 750K times in the last nine months. Mr Rawlings says he chose Thursdays because his previous dating app – Honeypot – peaked on a Thursday, with about double the number of people logging on compared to other days.
Month: May 2022
Dating News Headlines
Quick links to today's dating news headlines.
Match Group Google Play Store Complaint Triggers Dutch Antitrust Probe
TECH CRUNCH – A competition complaint against Google's Android Play Store by Match Group, has led to a preliminary investigation by the Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) into whether the tech giant is abusing a dominant position. "Dating-app providers allegedly are no longer able to use a payment system other than Google's payment system. In addition, dating apps claim they are no longer allowed to refer to other payment methods either," the ACM said. A Google spokesperson said: Match Group's apps are eligible to pay just 15% on Google Play, which is the lowest rate among major app platforms. But even if they don't want to comply with Google Play's policies, Android still provides them multiple ways of distributing their apps to Android users, including through other Android app stores, directly to users via their website or as consumption-only apps.
Grindr to Cover Gender Affirmation Surgery Costs for Employees
BLOOMBERG – Grindr is rolling out new benefits to support employees seeking gender affirmation surgery. Grindr will work with healthcare providers to offer the surgery without needing several letters from a psychiatrist that includes their mental health history and a recommendation for the surgery, which advocates say places a burden on patients. Instead, employees will sign attestations that the surgery is required for them to live according to their gender identity, said Heidi Schriefer, Grindr's VP of people and places. Grindr will also cover the cost of flights and hotel stays if employees need to travel for care.
Dating News Headlines: Playdate, Match Group, Blue City, Thursday
Quick links to today's dating news headlines.
- Up Close and Personal With the Founder of Playdate, UK's First Dating App for Single Parents – CityAM
- IAC, Match Group Say $30B Del. Spinoff Suit Falls Flat – Law360
- Q&A With BlueCity CRO Liang Zhao: Heralding a New Era of Internet+ HIV Prevention – Pandaily
- Dating Service Latest to Breach Judgment Embargo – Law Gazette
- The Thursday Dating App That Only Works One Day a Week – BBC
- Match Group Will Accelerate Dating App Launch in India, Says CEO Shar Dubey – Economic Times
Colin Hodge on Managing Startup Finances
TECH ROUND – Colin Hodge, founder of DOWN Dating App, shares financial management tips from his entrepreneurial journey. During tight times, he ran the app with a minimal team, handling marketing and development himself to save money. In prosperous periods, he hired professionals to enhance efficiency and impact, maintaining a financial buffer. He advises startups to use promotions and startup programs to extend their runway, utilize free accounting tools, and set up financial alerts. Hodge also emphasizes global arbitrage, suggesting sourcing talent and services from cost-effective regions to save money and sustain business growth.
Dating News Headlines: Match Group
Quick links to today's dating news headlines.
Dating News Headlines: Grindr, Flirtual
Quick links to today's dating news headlines.
Match Names Zynga President Bernard Kim as CEO, Replacing Shar Dubey
TECH CRUNCH – Just over two years after assuming the top exec position, Match CEO and 16-year employee Shar Dubey is stepping down. Shar Dubey will remain on the company's board and continue to serve as an advisor. Bernard Kim, the current president of Zynga, will become CEO effective May 31 and will join Match's board of directors. Kim has been president of Zynga since 2016 and has overseen a number of key functions, including global marketing, user acquisition, revenue, consumer insights, data science, product management, mergers and acquisitions, and communications.
by Sarah Perez
See full article at Tech Crunch
Mark Brooks: Mr Bernard Kim's experience in gaming is no doubt indicative of where Match will go next. A more gamified, engaging, and immersive Internet dating experience. Match must get AI/VR right, for what I think will be the next big critical media shift.
Match Group Q1 Results – Revenue up 20%, New CEO
MATCH GROUP – Total Revenue grew 20% YOY to $799M. Operating income was $208M, an increase of 10% YOY. Payers increased 13% to 16.3M, up from 14.4M in the prior year quarter. Tinder Direct Revenue grew 18% YOY, driven by 17% payers growth to 10.7M. All Other Brands collectively grew revenue by 22% YOY driven by 14% RPP growth and 7% payers growth to 5.6M.
Key points from Match Group's letter to shareholders:
- Match Group CEO Shar Dubey is stepping down. She will remain as a director and advisor to the company, and Bernard Kim will resume his role as CEO.
- Match Group has published its 2nd annual Impact Report to share its progress on social, environmental, and governance initiatives.
- In Japan, Tinder launched a co-marketing campaign with Netflix for the dating reality TV show Love is Blind: Japan.
- Tinder Coins, its in-app virtual currency, is on track to launch globally this summer.
- Hinge is on track to launch in its first non-English speaking market, Germany, in Q2.
- Hinge is on pace to more than 10x revenue from 2019 to 2022.
- Match, Meetic, Pairs, and POF all successfully leverage tech features from Hyperconnect into their products.