Category: All LTR Videos

Mark Brooks – State of the Dating Industry

Posted on July 8, 2025

LTR – Mark Brooks, industry veteran and LTR conference organizer, presents an in-depth overview of the state of the dating industry for 2024-2025. With decades of experience advising dating and social discovery platforms, Mark discusses the history, current landscape, and future projections for the industry. He covers key industry numbers, behaviors, and challenges, highlighting the role of AI, verification processes, and offline dating events. Mark also touches on user frustrations, market dynamics, and the evolving competitive landscape, offering insights into how dating platforms can thrive amidst growing complexities.

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

The April LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity and Courtland Brooks

Bruno Adami – My Journey With Umatch

Posted on July 2, 2025

LTR – Bruno Adami, Co-Founder & CEO of Umatch, shares his journey of creating the popular dating app for college students. In this interview, Bruno discusses his motivations, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the unique strategies he used to promote and grow Umatch in Brazil and beyond. He also delves into growth hacking techniques, viral marketing, and future plans for expansion, as well as his search for the right investors to support Umatch's mission to combat loneliness among college students.

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

The April LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity and Courtland Brooks

Mark Brooks – The Future of Online Dating

Posted on April 30, 2025

LTR – Industry veteran and LTR conference organizer Mark Brooks provides a comprehensive overview of the Internet Dating Excellence Association (IDEA) and its impact on the online dating industry. Beginning with the origins and evolution of IDEA, Brooks discusses the key initiatives and events that shaped the organization and the industry. He reviews the top reporters, companies, and news stories of 2024, highlighting trends such as the role of AI in dating apps, user satisfaction, and security measures. Drawing on his extensive experience advising dating and social discovery platforms, Mark dives into the trends shaping the industry, including advances in AI in dating apps, major corporate changes, and user satisfaction insights.

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

The February LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity, RealMe, and Courtland Brooks

Hanna Kozlowska – How Tech Transformed Dating

Posted on April 25, 2025

LTR – Hanna Kozlowska, a highly respected journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Vox, NBC News, Politico Europe, and more, joins LTR for an in-depth interview. She discusses her extensive career in journalism, her seminal piece for Vox about the online dating industry, and her latest book, 'U Up,' a sweeping social history of the online dating phenomenon. Hanna explores the evolution of online dating and the challenges posed by AI and algorithmic matchmaking, and shares insights into the social impact and future of dating apps. It provides a comprehensive look at the changing landscape of modern relationships and technology.

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

The February LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity, RealMe, and Courtland Brooks

Professor Anthony Pratkanis – Deception, Scams, and Protecting Online Daters

Posted on March 6, 2025

LTR – Professor Anthony Pratkanis, a social psychologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, discusses the psychology of influence and deception. From his extensive studies, he explains how scammers affect victims with customized manipulation strategies and how scams adapt according to individual behavior, especially on dating websites. Professor Pratkanis talks about educating people with specific, probing questions to prevent fraud and the harm of victim-blaming. He also gives insight into how life stressors and weaknesses at an individual level make individuals susceptible to scams, focusing on the need for targeted messaging and awareness to protect potential victims.

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

The January LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity, RealMe, and Courtland Brooks

Steve Baker on the FTC’s ‘Click to Cancel’ Rule: What It Means for Online Dating and Consumer Protection

Posted on February 25, 2025

LTR – Steve Baker, former FTC director and fraud detection expert, discusses the evolution of trust and safety in online dating and the FTC’s new “Click to Cancel” rule. With 27 years at the FTC and 5 years at the Better Business Bureau, he has plenty to share about consumer fraud, deceptive subscription marketing, and the agency’s efforts to protect consumers from confusing auto-renewals and free trial scams. The new regulation, set to take effect on March 31, 2025, aims to provide simpler cancellations and impose more severe penalties for misleading claims, affecting businesses globally. Tune in as Baker breaks down its effects on online dating and consumer protection.

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

The January LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity, RealMe, and Courtland Brooks

Vanessa Panes – Unraveling the Complexities of Filipino Dating Culture

Posted on January 21, 2025

LTR – Vanessa Panes Antonio is the founder of Singles Events Manila, which specializes in the dynamics of dating in the Philippines, specifically the rise of cross-cultural relationships. With a matchmaker and certified coach background, Vanessa discusses how her company pairs desirable Filipina women – for their beauty, success, and independence – with foreign partners, breaking down stereotypes while creating meaningful connections. She introduces some important cultural terms, like “AFAM,” which means foreigner in Manila, and some traditional Filipino courtship practices centered on sincerity and commitment. Vanessa talks about the Philippines’ thriving digital dating scene and the country’s still-strong fascination with Western culture.

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

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

Dare Olatoye – Online Dating Market in Africa

Posted on January 13, 2025

LTR – Dare Olatoye is the co-founder and CEO of Trueflutter, a matchmaking app for Africans and their diaspora. He shares his fascinating journey building the app with innovative features like audio bios and nationality-based filters, which has attracted ~500K users. Trueflutter stands out for its embrace of African cultural nuances, and Dare shares how it all started with his sister's late-life marriage and a focus on meaningful relationships rather than casual encounters. Despite funding challenges and competition, the app has been a huge success, with 108 marriages in 3 years, surpassing Tinder and Bumble in the African market.

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

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

See the top news on Trueflutter

Fireside Chat With Julie Ferman

Posted on December 23, 2024

LTR – Julie Ferman, a seasoned dating coach and matchmaker with over 30 years of experience, shares insights into the matchmaking industry and her unique approach to personalized dating services. In this interview, Julie highlights the importance of balancing affordability and quality in matchmaking, addressing the gap between high-end services and accessible solutions. She follows a very service-oriented philosophy, providing options like consultations, boot camps, and matchmaking based on the clients' needs while challenging exploitation in the industry. Julie's path – from personal struggles with dating to one of the most trusted coaches – showcases her will to help clients find their soulmates.

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

See all executive interviews

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