CNN – Grindr implemented a return-to-office mandate, leading to nearly half of its employees leaving the company. The policy required workers to either relocate to designated "hub" cities for in-person work or resign with severance. ~80 out of 178 employees chose to leave, citing the policy as retaliatory against a recent unionization effort. Many of these workers were hired remotely. The Communication Workers of America (CWA) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Grindr, which the company disputes. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy allowed employees to voice disagreement with the three-days-a-week office policy but warned of potential consequences for non-compliance. Similarly, Meta required employees already assigned to an office to attend three days a week, with noncompliance potentially leading to disciplinary measures or dismissal.
Category: Grindr
Dating Apps Put a Hefty Price Tag on Finding Love
Match which will roll out a superpremium tier on Tinder in the fall. "If you actually take a small fraction of our payers at higher price points, you actually get a number that's in the tens of millions of dollars on an annual basis," CEO Bernard Kim said.
Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd sees premium services delivering new opportunities. "We see that there's a lot of runway to expand there."
Even if uptake is slow, there is precedent behind the move to raise prices. Mark Brooks, CEO of Courtland Brooks, which helps online dating companies grow, said that other brands, such as eHarmony and Tawkify, have for years priced their premium services above what Tinder, Hinge and Bumble charged. The stakes are high in showing users that paying is worth it, Brooks said. Otherwise, they could defect to competing platforms. "They've got to actually really deliver on it, because they'll get crucified if they don't," said Brooks.
Job Hunting on Dating Apps
by Ethan M. Steinberg
See full article at Wall Street Journal
Grindr Reports Q2 Revenue Growth of 32%
BUSINESSWIRE – Revenue grew 32% YOY to $61.5M, reflecting the app's strong performance of its subscription offerings, a la carte features, and advertising. Operating income was $13.9M, net income was $22.3M, and Adjusted EBITDA expanded to $26.9M.
Grindr Tells Unionizing Workers: Move Across the Country or Be Fired
VICE – Shortly after Grindr employees announced plans to unionize with the Communications Workers of America, the LGBTQ dating app introduced a return-to-office policy, mandating staff to relocate or face termination. Employees believe this move is retaliatory against their unionizing efforts. Grindr claims the policy had been planned for months, but details like securing appropriate office space remain unresolved. The decision has been especially hard for trans workers, who view relocation as potentially jeopardizing their safety. The union has accused Grindr of using the policy as a means to counter the unionization efforts.
Grindr Announces Q&A Platform for Shareholders
BUSINESSWIRE – Grindr has opened a shareholder Q&A on the Say Technologies platform to enable shareholders to submit questions in connection with its upcoming earnings release. Grindr is scheduled to host a live discussion of its Q2 2023 earnings at 5:00PM EST on Wed, August 9, 2023.
Grindr Employees Move to Unionize for Better Benefits and LGBTQ+ Protection
BLOOMBERG – Employees of Grindr, the LGBTQ+ dating app, are seeking to unionize under the name "Grindr United" in partnership with the Communications Workers of America. The proposed union, supported by a significant majority of eligible employees, aims to maintain the company's benefits like remote work, paid time off, and trans-inclusive healthcare, and seeks to secure cost-of-living pay increases, gift matching, a professional development budget, and protection against layoffs. The employees hope to ensure pay transparency and wage equality for marginalized communities and maintain the company's vibrant LGBTQ+ culture. This move comes amidst the introduction of nearly 300 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S. and allegations of Grindr's CEO supporting anti-LGBTQ politicians.
Half of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults Have Used Online Dating
PEW RESEARCH CENTER – A 2022 Pew Research survey reveals that 51% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults have used online dating, compared to 28% of straight adults. Younger LGB adults are more likely to use online dating than their older counterparts. Popular apps among LGB users include Tinder, HER, and Grindr. Experiences are mixed, with 61% reporting positive experiences, but many also encountering negative behaviors such as unsolicited explicit messages. Opinions are divided on the overall impact of online dating on relationships within the LGB community.
by Risa Gelles-Watnick
See full article at Pew Research Center
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Grindr’s Journey After IPO: Aiming to Become the Quintessential LGBTQ+ Super-App
CNBC – Grindr, a dating platform for LGBTQ+ men, went public seven months ago and is now trading ~$6 per share. Since going public, CEO George Arison has been engaging with investors and focusing on innovation. Grindr aims to become a "gay super-app", serving not just as a dating platform but also a social network and community space. It has plans for further monetization through advertisement-free offerings and targeted ads. The company is looking to expand internationally and is exploring the incorporation of artificial intelligence in its services. Grindr has ~13M monthly active users worldwide.
Fired Grindr Executive Says App Places ‘Profit Over Privacy’
BLOOMBERG LAW – Former Grindr chief privacy officer, Ron De Jesus, has filed a lawsuit against Grindr, alleging wrongful termination following his objections to the company's "alarming" data privacy practices. According to De Jesus, Grindr has repeatedly violated state and international privacy laws by collecting, retaining, and sharing highly sensitive user data, including nude photos and HIV status, without explicit consent. That information was accessible by any employee or third-party vendor, he said. De Jesus' dismissal occurred shortly after raising these concerns in an email to the company's CFO. This lawsuit follows Grindr's $7M fine from the Norwegian Data Protection Agency for sharing user location and sexual orientation data with advertisers.