Mullen announced today that Match.com, the global leader in online dating, has selected the agency's public relations group to orchestrate a multi-faceted consumer public relations campaign to drive category leadership and support key product and corporate initiatives throughout the year.
The PR assignment follows a competitive review of several agencies. Match.com has not had an outside PR agency in the United States since 2001. Mullen will work in close collaboration with Match's internal public relations team, which is located in San Francisco and Dallas.
"Our decision to bring on an external public relations agency to support our internal staff is a testament to the significant interest and opportunity in the on-line dating category that we are experiencing," said Trish McDermott, vice president of romance, Match.com. "In Mullen, we recognized a powerful, consumer-savvy agency with a great track record in bringing highly creative, integrated campaigns to life. Given the combined strength and cultural similarities of our organizations, we anticipate this will be a strong and successful relationship."
"We're thrilled to partner with such a powerful brand and category leader as Match.com," said Sheila Leyne, executive vice president and director of public relations, Mullen. "On-line dating is fundamentally changing the way relationships are formed, and Match is at the forefront, delivering new technologies and innovative programs to its members. Our integrated efforts will underscore this category leadership, while establishing Match.com as the authoritative voice of singles around the world."
About Match.com
Operating more than 30 online dating sites, in 18 local languages, spanning six continents, Match.com is the world's leading online dating and personals property, according to the April 2004 global ranking by industry-leading independent measurement firm comScore Media Metrix. Match.com offers the industry's most advanced and comprehensive matching technology -- the exclusive Total Attraction Matchingâ„¢ system -- which incorporates powerful, scientifically-based personality profiling tools and the first and only physical attraction matching platform. Since its launch in 1995, Match.com has been leading the industry in providing a wide array of tools and resources for its 12 million members seeking long-term, committed relationships or marriage. Match.com provides wireless dating (www.matchmobile.com), Online SpeedMatching (www.OnlineSpeedMatching.com) and events opportunities for singles through its sites MatchLive.com and SpeedMatching.com, both operated by its affiliate, MatchLive, L.L.C. Based on resignation survey data the Company calculates that more than 200,000 Match.com members met the person they were seeking on the site in 2003 alone. Match.com is an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI).
About Mullen
Mullen, an Interpublic company, is a full-service agency known for its interdisciplinary team approach to building brands. Mullen's client portfolio includes General Motors, XM Satellite Radio, Stride Rite Children's Group, Sealy, Wachovia, Eddie Bauer, LendingTree, Swiss Army Brands, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, T.J. Maxx, FORTUNE, Pennsylvania Department of Tourism and Highmark BlueCross BlueShield. Headquartered in Wenham, Mass., the agency operates full-service offices in Winston-Salem, NC, Detroit, Mich., and Pittsburgh, PA. For more on Mullen, visit www.mullen.com.
For further information, please contact: David Swaebe of Mullen, +1-978-468-8932, david.swaebe@mullen.com; or Bridgette Cush of Match.com, +1-214-576-9514, bridgette.cush@match.com
SOURCE: Match.com
CONTACT: David Swaebe of Mullen, +1-978-468-8932,
david.swaebe@mullen.com; or Bridgette Cush of Match.com, +1-214-576-9514,
bridgette.cush@match.com
Web site: http://www.mullen.com/
Web site: http://www.match.com/