Spark Networks, Inc. (AMEX: 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.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to ChristianMingle and JDate, a number of properties are included in Spark Networks’ portfolio:
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.
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.
2016-05-22 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $3.50 |
2016-05-17 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $3.50 |
2016-04-12 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.25 |
2016-04-07 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.25 |
2016-03-09 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.25 |
2016-03-04 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.25 |
2016-01-18 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.50 |
2016-01-13 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.50 |
2015-11-07 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.50 |
2015-11-02 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $5.00 |
2015-08-11 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $5.00 |
2015-08-06 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $5.00 |
2015-07-31 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $5.00 |
2015-06-19 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $5.00 |
2015-05-19 | Initiated Coverage | B. Riley | Buy | $5.00 |
2014-11-07 | Reiterated Rating | Canaccord Genuity | Hold | $6.00 to $5.00 |
2014-09-18 | Reiterated | Stifel | Buy | $8 to $6.50 |
2014-09-18 | Lower Price Target | Stifel Nicolaus | Buy | $8.00 to $6.50 |
2014-03-06 | Downgrade | Canaccord Genuity | Buy to Hold | $10.00 to $6.00 |
2014-03-06 | Downgrade | William Blair | Outperform to Market Perform | |
2013-05-13 | Initiated | William Blair | Outperform | |
2012-10-02 | Initiated | Canaccord Genuity | Buy | $10 |
2007-08-03 | Reiterated | RBC Capital Mkts | Outperform | $9 to $8 |
2007-02-14 | Reiterated | RBC Capital Mkts | Outperform | $9 to $11 |
2016-05-22 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $3.50 |
2016-05-17 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $3.50 |
2016-04-12 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.25 |
2016-04-07 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.25 |
2016-03-09 | Reiterated Rating | B. Riley | Buy | $4.25 |
There is presents forecasts of rating agencies and recommendations for investors about this ticker
In LOV 22 funds of 2213 total. Show all
Fund name | Ticker shares |
---|---|
Osmium Partners, LLC | 5.93M |
FIRST MANHATTAN CO | 1.80M |
T2 Partners Management, LP | 0.81M |
Roumell Asset Management, LLC | 0.50M |
PEAK6 Investments, L.P. | 0.48M |
Kovitz Investment Group, LLC | 0.28M |
Potomac Capital Management, Inc. | 0.26M |
HARBOURVEST PARTNERS LLC | 0.10M |
CITADEL ADVISORS LLC | 99409 |
BlackRock Fund Advisors | 51860 |
GLENMEDE TRUST CO NA | 45389 |
OXFORD ASSET MANAGEMENT | 32324 |
GROUP ONE TRADING, L.P. | 13905 |
HAP Trading, LLC | 12800 |
Parallax Volatility Advisers, L.P. | 10499 |
Name Relationship | Total Shares | Holding stocks |
---|---|---|
MILLER LLOYD I III | 4.47% (1073348) | ATGN / BEBE / CAPS / CCUR / CNTY / COSI / EPAX / IDSY / IMI / ITI / LOV / LTRE / MRVC / ONVI / PRSS / QBAK / SLTC / STMP / TWMC / USU / |
SIMINOFF DAVID E Chairman of the Board | 1.67% (400000) | COUP / LOV / |
MATHER JONATHAN | 0.20% (48639) | LOV / |
BARBA LEE K | 0.16% (37385) | LOV / |
BULKELEY JONATHAN | 0.15% (36267) | DXM / LOV / |
GREAT HILL INVESTORS LLC | 0.06% (14558) | LOV / VITC / |
LIBERMAN GREGORY R President & COO | 0.06% (14406) | LOV / |
Egan Michael S Chief Executive Officer | 0.04% (10000) | LOV / |
ZANE BRETT Chief Financial Officer | 0.04% (8600) | LOV / |