PARIS - DreamNex, a French e-commerce company, on Monday launched dating service SexyAvenue. The service includes Dial-Messenger, new instant-messaging software designed specifically for online dating.
According to DreamNex, using instant-messaging software made for the site's dating service offers advantages. Dial-Messenger is user-friendly and allows instant dialogue with all connected users, and it offers the instant-messaging functions with which Internet users are familiar. Users also can remain connected without having to stay on the website. And users' photographs can only be viewed by other users they have authorized. Therefore, users make initial contact without photos, which favors fair dating chances because it keeps interest from being drawn by only the best photographs.
DreamNex aims to offer fun, commitment-free dating in a moderated and monitored environment. Each user is validated before being given access, chats are monitored and warnings identify any suspicious use. Users can indicate whether they're looking for fun or love by the types of photos they add to their profiles; private albums can be viewed only by invitation.
SexyAvenue's audience already engages in more than 20 million visits per month, a DreamNex representative said Within its first month, the site had the fourth-largest audience in France's online-dating sector.
"The introduction of a dating service on SexyAvenue confirms our strategy of launching complementary activities offering strong potential," said DreamNex founder, chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrice Macar. "This buoyant sector presents clear potential for growth, and we intend to capitalize on this trend by taking an innovative approach tailored to our audience. Our aim is clear: to establish ourselves rapidly as a market leader in adult dating services."
SexyAvenue originally launched in February 2000 as a sleek, up-market destination dedicated to the sale of adult products and distribution of adult content.
According to Macar, DreamNex generated revenues of €34 million and operating income of €5 million in 2006.
