Interviews
Interviews
The UK’s fastest growing private companies: Hot 100 2015 – (36) Global Personals
3 min read
26 June 2015
Online dating has rapidly become the norm with the likes of high-profile firm Tinder, and 12-year-old Global Personals has been there to grow alongside the market and power the likes of Match.com.
Visit the complete Hot 100 list
Name: Venntro Media Group (Global Personals)
Industry/sector: Retail and related services
Date founded: 2003
The boss: Ross Williams
Location: South East
Latest turnover: £42.2m
Three-year compound growth rate (%): 45.51
Latest EBITDA: £5.1m
Once frowned upon, internet dating has become the norm in today’s increasingly connected world. Most people, whether they’re users or not, will have heard of the highly publicised swiping phenomenon Tinder.
But back in 2003, Venntro Media Group (formerly Global Personals) was launched when the market was still in its infancy and has been there to grow along with the sector as it matured. The strategy has worked in the firm’s favour as the latest CAGR of 45.51 per cent comes alongside a revenue of £42.2m.
Hundreds of thousands of people use the company’s niche dating websites, which include DatingAgency.com, DatingRepublic.com, Love2Meet.com and Single365.com.
Offering more insight, the company said: “www.DatingAgency.com is a success story that dates back to 2005, making it one of the longest running, most successful dating websites in the business.
“As a truly mass-market mainstream site, Dating Agency operates in four territories worldwide. With a separate site database for the mature market, the site ensures older members are never disappointed. Dating Agency provides a continuous stream of quality members for the Global Personals dating environment.”
Meanwhile, 2011-launched DatingRepublic.com targets London professionals who live and work in the capital. In order to keep the channel thriving, it is promoted with a regional advertising campaign, but also dating tips, new member showcases and blogs.
However, the bread and butter for Venntro Media Group is its White Label Dating division, which provides third-parties, such as eHarmony and Match.com, the power and tools to launch their own branded dating sites. Indeed, it supports more than 25,000 services, enabling software, payments, customer support and hosting.
Former Google head of lead generation John Ray joined the firm as chief revenue officer in 2014, while the subsidiary was further expanded at the start of 2015 with the opening of a new office in Boston.
Steve Pammenter, co-founder and COO of White Label Dating, said: “Not only does this bring us closer to New York, where the largest opportunities for lucrative growth with media publishers exist, but it also means we’re able to offer our US partners an even higher quality service.
“Our local team will deliver partners with greater insight into how to crack the US dating market, worth an estimated $2bn. Having reached significant milestones over the last month, welcoming our 40 millionth member in December 2014, 2015 is set to deliver great things for White Label Dating.”