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Month: December 2024

Fireside Chat With Ethan Martin

Posted on December 17, 2024

LTR – Ethan Martin, founder of Gen Z-focused dating app SLIDE, shares insights from his journey as an entrepreneur. Having learned a thing or two from his previous food delivery app, Round, he stresses the importance of solving one's own problems to devise impactful solutions. SLIDE caters exclusively to 18–28-year-olds, addressing their desire for safety and authenticity with mandatory ID verification. Slide launched in 2023, built off of extensive market research, using humor and relatability across platforms like TikTok to engage users. Ethan's bold vision positions SLIDE as a standout in the dating app market, focusing on a safe and lively community for young people.

[**See the video here on Youtube**]

The October LTR was kindly sponsored by ParshipMeet Group, RealMe, Dating Through Curiosity, along with Courtland Brooks and Matchmaker.com

See all executive interviews

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HubPeople Launches Verified User Feature

Posted on December 17, 2024

Hubpeople logoLINKEDIN – HubPeople, a white-label dating provider, has launched the Verified Feature. Members can verify their profiles in two ways: by uploading a government-issued ID (ID Verified) or submitting a selfie with their username and today's date (Admin Verified). Verified users can filter searches to connect with other verified members and access exclusive Verified-only chat rooms, creating safer and more authentic interactions.

See full article at LinkedIn

See the top news on HubPeople

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Tinder’s Overhaul: Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain for Match Group

Posted on December 16, 2024
Tinder logo in pink and orange gradient

WAL STREET JOURNAL – Tinder faces slowing growth and investor skepticism. Despite boasting 47M monthly active users, Tinder struggles with its hookup reputation and fake accounts. Match’s recent analyst meeting unveiled a $1.5B buyback, its first dividend, and a forecasted revenue decline for Tinder in 2025 – below market expectations – causing a 6% share price drop. To address challenges, Tinder plans improvements, including biometric verification, AI for better matches, and new features like “double-dating.” While these updates are promising, they’ll take time to yield results. Wall Street remains cautious, awaiting proof of execution.

by Dan Gallagher
See full article at Wall Street Journal

See the top news on Tinder
See the top news on Match Group

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Grindr’s Rapid Growth and Global Expansion

Posted on December 16, 2024

GrindrQUEER FEED – Grindr has seen strong growth, with its stock rising ~85% this year. The company reported a 32% increase in revenue year-over-year and a 74.36% gross profit margin. Features like Roam, Right Now, and Wingman are helping to grow user activity and monetization. Grindr aims to reach $600M in revenue by 2027 and is expanding globally with a new Spanish platform to connect with international audiences.

by Quake Anderson
See full article at Queer Feed

See the top news on Grindr

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Bumble’s SWOT Analysis

Posted on December 16, 2024

Bumble logoINVESTING.COM – Bumble is overhauling its app ecosystem and shifting marketing strategies to attract more users, though some analysts warn this could weaken its core women-first approach. The company reported a 1% decline in Q3 2024 revenue, with $274M in total revenue and $220M from the Bumble app. Paying users grew by 11% to 4.3M. Bumble is targeting international markets and diversifying with features like Bumble For Friends, but it faces stiff competition from Match Group and ongoing revenue pressures, with analysts projecting further declines in the near term.

See full article at Investing.com

See the top news on Bumble

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Finding Mohamed a Wife: the Viral Muzz Campaign Taking Over Times Square

Posted on December 16, 2024
A man named Mohamed sitting on the floor, smiling and pointing upwards, with a pink background. The text above him reads, 'I'm Mohamed. Help me find a wife! (No this isn't a joke!)' He is dressed casually.

THE KIT – Mohamed Ibrahim, a 30-year-old client relationship manager from New Jersey, partnered with the Muslim dating app Muzz to find a wife. His campaign featured billboards across North America, including Times Square and Toronto, directing interested women to apply through findmohamedawife.com. The campaign garnered ~1K applications since its launch on October 7, 2024. Muzz, formerly known as Muzmatch, is a British marriage and dating app for Muslims, founded in 2015 by Shahzad Younas.

by Sadaf Ahsan
See full article at The Kit

See the top news on Muzz

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Tinder Reshapes Strategy to Shed ‘Hookup App’ Label and Boost Growth

Posted on December 13, 2024
Tinder logo

BLOOMBERG – Tinder is shifting its focus from monetization to improving user experience, aiming to rebuild trust and move away from its “hookup app” reputation. CEO Faye Iosotaluno warned of declining revenue through 2026, with growth expected to resume in 2027 as the platform introduces features like AI-powered recommendations, face-photo requirements, and double-date matches to meet evolving user expectations. While these changes may temporarily reduce its user base, Match also lowered its Q4 revenue forecasts due to currency headwinds, disappointing investors seeking faster progress. Activist investors, including Starboard Value, have pressured Match for growth, even suggesting a sale if turnaround efforts fail, as the company faces management changes and a $41B market cap loss since 2021. Despite these challenges, Match plans to return 100% of free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, signaling its commitment to long-term shareholder value.

by Natalie Lung
See full article at Bloomberg

See the top news on Tinder
See the top news on Match Group

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Michael Kaye: Redefining Dating Apps With Data, Storytelling, and Inclusivity

Posted on December 13, 2024

Michael KayeG2 – Michael Kaye, Director of Brand Marketing & Communications at OkCupid and ARCHER, shares insights into his journey, marketing strategies, and the role of storytelling, data, and inclusivity in building impactful brands. Here's a quick dive into his thoughts on career, innovation, and staying relevant in the ever-evolving dating app space.

Q: How did you become a leader in brand marketing and communications?
I transitioned from PR roles to marketing at Match Group, leading campaigns for OkCupid and launching ARCHER.

Q: What are OkCupid's best practices for success?
We focus on data storytelling, localized narratives, and creating emotional connections with users.

Q: How do you measure emotion in data?
We analyze optional questions users engage with most, reflecting their priorities and connections to key topics.

Q: How do ARCHER and OkCupid stand out?
ARCHER focuses on visibility and celebration with features like face-photo profiles, while OkCupid targets younger users with campaigns addressing their values.

Q: How does ARCHER support users on their journey?
Through the ARCHER Health Hub, offering resources on LGBTQ+ topics like coming out and diversity in dating.

Q: How does OkCupid stay relevant?
By engaging in brand partnerships and addressing issues that matter to Gen Z and millennials, like mental health and climate change.

Q: What trends do you see in consumer behavior?
Unexpected yet authentic collaborations capture attention while staying true to brand values.

Q: What can G2 learn from OkCupid?
Localization and personalization, tailoring experiences to specific markets and cultures. Q: What are your career goals? Achieving ARCHER's next milestone while exploring AI in marketing and expanding my expertise.

Q: How do you balance work and life?
By prioritizing key tasks and taking offline time for activities like cycling and reading.

Q: What role has mentorship played in your journey?
It's been vital, from lessons in hard work by my grandparents to professional guidance from mentors like Melissa Hobley.

by Kamaljeet Kalsi
See full article at G2

See the top news on OkCupid
See the top news on Archer

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Judge Orders Tinder Addiction Claims to Arbitration

Posted on December 13, 2024
Logo of Tinder, a popular dating application, featuring a stylized flame in pink and orange colors.

REUTERS – A U.S. judge ruled that claims accusing Match Group of designing addictive dating apps must be resolved through individual arbitration rather than a class-action lawsuit. The plaintiffs, from several states, alleged the apps prioritized profits over users’ relationship goals and used features to encourage addictive behavior, violating consumer protection laws. Match argued that its user agreements mandated arbitration, a stance the judge upheld, putting the case on hold. The ruling is part of a broader trend, with similar lawsuits targeting tech companies like TikTok and Snapchat for allegedly designing addictive platforms.

by Mike Scarcella
See full article at Reuters

See the top news on Tinder

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Massive Data Breach Hits Senior Dating Website, Exposing 765K Users

Posted on December 13, 2024
Graphic highlighting a data breach affecting 765,000 users of the Senior Dating website, featuring an older man in front of a computer screen with binary code and lock symbols.

INFORMATION SECURITY BUZZ – A data breach on November 23, 2024, exposed the personal data of 765,517 users on the Senior Dating platform, including emails, locations, and social media links. Senior Dating and its related site, ladies.com, shut down after the breach was reported on Dec 9. Experts warn of risks like identity theft and phishing, urging users to change passwords, enable MFA, and monitor accounts closely.

by Kirsten Doyle
See full article at Information Security Buzz

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