This is the first acquisition for Online Buddies, and under the agreement’s terms the company will assume all marketing efforts. CEO Adam Segel and CFO Richard Scott will assume both roles for the companies.
“We are excited to be able to present our members with yet another platform on which to express themselves,” Segel said.
DList founder Todd Sowers, now CMO for Online Buddies, will oversee DList's daily site operations as COO. The site launched in 2006, and because of its similarity to MySpace — allowing users to share music, art and photos and build personal pages — its popularity grew fast.
“The main reason we decided to do this deal with Online Buddies now is that DList has it within its grasp to become the leading social network for gay men globally,” Sowers said. “We needed the strong management team and resources that Online Buddies brings to the table.”
Chairmain Jonathan Crutchley said Online Buddies is committed to providing the best avenue for men to meet online, and with this acquisition the company can broaden its reach and portfolio of services to users around the world.
“While many gay men love sex and sex-related sites, others are looking for friends or for simple social networking with other men,” Crutchley said. “This is where DList comes in.”
A company representative specified that Manhunt.net and its partner site OnTheHunt.com will focus on sexually explicit content, while DList will remain a “milder platform” for making connections, both sexual and friendly, online.