ADWEEK – Hinge has promoted president and CMO Jackie Jantos to CEO as founder Justin McLeod steps down to launch his new AI dating app, Overtone. McLeod will advise Hinge through March. Tamika Young, formerly SVP of global communications, has been elevated to chief marketing and communications officer.
ECONOMIC TIMES – Match Group’s Asia CEO, Malgosia Green, says AI can support dating but will never replace real human connection. She sees India as Match Group’s biggest growth opportunity, with an estimated 120M connected single adults and rising openness to dating apps. Despite competition from local players like Aisle and Truly Madly, Match Group is expanding its portfolio, launching The League in Delhi and Mumbai to target high-intent users. Safety features like Tinder’s Face Check have reduced exposure to bad actors by 60%, though issues like catfishing persist. Green says shifting cultural attitudes toward dating and marriage are driving demand, and Match Group plans long-term investment and expansion in India.
TRADE BRAINS – Matrimony.com shares rose 14% after the company announced it will consider a third share buyback on Dec 15. Previous buybacks in 2024 and 2022 came at high premiums, signaling strong management confidence and driving investor interest. The stock hit ₹543.75 (~$6), lifting its market cap to ₹1,130 crore (~ $126M). Despite slight declines in revenue and sharper drops in profit, the company still shows strong return ratios, low debt, and consistent dividends. Another premium buyback could further support shareholder value.
TECH CRUNCH – Hinge launched “Convo Starters,” an AI feature that gives personalized suggestions for how to start a conversation when liking someone’s profile. The tool responds to user complaints about silent likes and boring small talk, and Hinge says daters are twice as likely to get a date when they add a comment. It builds on Hinge’s earlier AI Prompt Feedback feature, though Gen Z remains uneasy about AI in dating. Match Group is investing $20–30M into AI development across its apps.
VOCAL MEDIA – Shaadi.com has begun early discussions with investment bankers about a potential IPO, a move that could significantly boost founder Anupam Mittal’s net worth. The company, a long-time leader in India’s online matchmaking market, is exploring valuation targets and market timing but has not yet appointed advisors. If Shaadi.com lists at an estimated valuation of ~₹2,500 crore (~$300 million), Mittal’s stake could rise sharply from his current estimated net worth of ₹185 crore ($22M). A public listing would increase the value and liquidity of his holdings but also expose his wealth to market volatility. The talks are still preliminary.
FAST COMPANY – Hinge president and CMO Jackie Jantos has built the brand around authentic, imperfect real-world love stories to push users off the app and into actual dating. Her campaigns – “No Ordinary Love” on Substack and “It’s Funny We Met on Hinge” – use real couples to counter unrealistic cultural narratives and reinforce Hinge’s promise of being “Designed to Be Deleted.” The strategy is working: in Q3 2025, Hinge’s revenue jumped 27% to $185M with 17% growth in paying users, cementing it as Match Group’s standout performer.
LTR – Mark Brooks sits down with Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO and President of happn, to delve into HelloGroup’s recent acquisition of the dating app. The conversation covers the app’s unique approach to location-based services, how happn differentiates itself in the competitive dating market, and the strategic changes implemented under Karima’s leadership. They also discuss the future plans for happn, focusing on deeper localization and enhancing user experiences, and how HelloGroup’s expertise will help facilitate these goals. Karima shares insights on maintaining the app’s core identity while adapting to evolving market demands.
[**See the video here on YouTube**]
The October LTR was kindly sponsored by Courtland Brooks
GRINDR Grindr supports the U.S. App Store Accountability Act because it would create one unified age-verification system in app stores. They say this would better prevent minors from accessing 18+ apps and avoid making adults submit personal data to multiple apps separately.
BLOOMBERG – Bethenny Frankel is launching The Core, a dating platform designed as a vetted social club rather than a traditional app. Users must apply, be accepted, and stay actively involved in helping others make connections. The platform promises curated matches and strict standards—no ghosting, breadcrumbing, catfishing, or shady behavior. The focus is on accountability and meaningful introductions, though many operational details are still being finalized.
OPW – I mean, is it really an attractive business now? Can it be built into an attractive property quickly? Can it be ‘packaged’ for sale and run out to the top potential acquirers so they arrive at the gate at the same point in time? Perhaps my team and I can help.
For the price of a marketing manager you can get access to a seasoned team of online dating professionals. See Testimonials here. See pricing and service overview. Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com or simply book an opening call here.