Spark Networks Picks up MingleMatch

by David Evans on May 23, 2005 · 5 comments

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Spark Networks plc, a leading provider of online personals services, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of MingleMatch, Inc., a company that operates religious, ethnic, special interest and geographically targeted online singles communities.

MingleMatch’s brands, which include, among others, Black Singles Connection, Christian Mingle, LDS Mingle, BBW Personals Plus, Military Singles Connection and Single Parents Mingle

David Siminoff, president and chief executive officer of Spark Networks:

Singles identify with communities which revolve around specific needs and interests. This acquisition reflects our commitment to creating affinity-focused online personals that provide the highest quality experience for our members.

press release

Tagged as: Finance

{ 5 comments }

Max 05.23.05 at 3:45 pm: How frequent are acquisitions in the online dating industry? I was under the impression that, like online gaming (another instant internet success model), dating companies generally captured market share through organic growth marketing, rather than acquisitions. Also, I don’t know of any acquisitions that aimed at integrating a superior technology into an online dating platform.

Any opinions on this?

– Max
Dave Evans 05.23.05 at 4:02 pm: Few nad far Between. PerfectMatch founder sold Kiss and Udate to Match for $150 million several years ago, since then transactions of that magnitude have not occured. Dating sites have not been historically open to integrating suprerior technology, most sites are operated on shoestring budget.
Markus 05.24.05 at 2:41 pm: Well there have been a bunch of dating sites sold lately.

Erotocity to CGI Holdings
Vintacom to CGI Holdings
Some adult dating sites to CGI holdings

Lemontonic.com to silverback media today
Some unamed site doing 5 million year in revenue to silverback media today.

Mingles to spark match.

I think all of those are done this year?
Ben 05.31.05 at 7:10 pm: Anyone know what Sparks paid for Mingle?
Dave Evans 05.31.05 at 7:18 pm: They are in quiet period right now, anyone who knows the price at Spark would be ill-advised to mention it as that is the kind of thing the SEC frowns upon and they can’t afford to delay the IPO.

Perhaps better question is, what will Spark trade at on opening day and 30 days?