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Stock price LOV (NYSEMKT) US$ 0.95 +0.02 (+1.73%)28 Mar, 4:02 PM GMT-4 - Disclaimer Headquarters Los Angeles, California, United States Subsidiaries Spark Networks Limited, MingleMatch Inc, VAP AG | ||
Spark Networks, Inc. (NYSE MKT: LOV) owns and operates more than 30 niche-focused online properties. This includes more than 20 special-interest online personals sites, such as ChristianMingle.com and JDate.com, along with apps like CROSSPATHS.
Contents
About spark networks
Websites
Most of Spark Networks’ websites are considered special-interest online personals sites. Former CEO Adam Berger has referred to these services as "niche" dating. Exceptions include DailyBibleVerse.com, Faith.com and ChristianCards.net, which cater to other Christian interests, and Spark.com, a general-interest online personals site. Today, ChristianMingle and JDate are Spark Networks' most popular dating sites.
ChristianMingle
Initially launched in 2001, ChristianMingle.com is the largest and fastest growing online community of Christian singles. The site serves singles who are looking to date and marry within the Christian faith. Today, ChristianMingle has more than 9 million registered members.
In addition to bringing together Christian singles, this site also fosters an online community where members can share their faith and values in a like-minded environment. The site partners with other Spark Networks properties, including DailyBibleVerse.com, to enhance the faith-based offerings for the online community. ChristianMingle's Statement of Faith is as follows: "The basis for our faith is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Lord and Savior of the world and God’s written Word, the Bible. We believe that embracing what God said allows us to live in freedom, joy and purpose.”
The plot of the film Christian Mingle, features the website.
JDate
Launched in 1997, JDate.com is a niche dating site that caters to Jewish singles. It has more than 750,000 members worldwide. In addition to the U.S. site, there are also JDate websites with unique domain names for Israel, the United Kingdom and France JDate.co.il, JDate.co.uk and JDate.fr).
ResearchNow, an independent research company, found that JDate is responsible for 52 percent of Jewish marriages that started online. This makes JDate responsible for more Jewish marriages than all other online dating sites combined.
Other websites
In addition to ChristianMingle and JDate, a number of properties are included in Spark Networks’ portfolio:
History
The company was founded by Joe Y. Shapira in 1997 under the name MatchNet plc.
JDate.com, founded in 1997, was the company's first venture into online dating. The other key web property, ChristianMingle.com, was introduced in 2004.
In January 2005, the company changed its name to Spark Networks because management felt that the new name more sharply distinguished the company in the marketplace.
On November 10, 2014, JDate launched a dating app designed for Jewish singles.
On October 14, 2015, Spark Networks announced the acquisition of Smooch Labs, owner of the popular millennial Jewish dating app JSwipe. Spark Networks launched CROSSPATHS, a dating app that helps like-minded Christians find matches, on October 8, 2015.
Redesigns of the JDate and ChristianMingle websites were announced in 2015. In addition to revamped branding, the site makeovers featured technology changes (including expanded mobile capabilities), a re-designed inbox and a new “daily matches” feature. JDate’s redesign went live on November 18, 2015, while ChristianMingle’s went live on December 17, 2015.
Operations
David Siminoff formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of the company. The current Spark Networks leadership team consists of:
Previously based in Beverly Hills, California, Spark Networks is now based in Los Angeles, California with additional offices in Lehi, Utah and Hertzelia Pituach, Israel.
In 2013, the company authorized the repurchase of $5 million of its outstanding common stock as a reflection of confidence in the long-term business.