1. Hinge Uses Nobel Prize Algorithm
Dating app Hinge is using a Nobel Prize winning algorithm to play matchmaker. The method, the Gale-Shapley algorithm, was invented in 1962 to solve for the stable marriage problem (it’s a complicated formula). The method is designed to avoid endless browsing and increase success. And it seems to work: In trials, Hinge found the new feature is 8x more likely to result in dates. That’s 8x more likely than one of us leaving the house tonight.
(Source: TechCrunch & The Hustle)
2. Papa John’s Chairman Uses ‘N’ Word
John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John’s Pizza, has resigned as chairman of the board. He is facing backlash for using the “n” word during a conference call back in May. The call was with Laundry Service (their creative agency) over a media training session regarding race. During the call, Schnatter made the comment, “Colonel Sanders called blacks n—–s [and never] faced public backlash.” Schnatter later responded, “Regardless of the context, I apologize. Simply stated, racism has no place in our society.” You don’t say.
(Source: AdAge)
3. Twitter Tests Spotlight Ads
Twitter is ready to squeeze a lot more money out of its trending topics. After minimizing its mediocre Moments feature and burying it inside the renamed Explore tab, Twitter is now starting to test Promoted Trend Spotlight ads. The first batch came from Disney. These ads are big visual banners equipped with a GIF or image background atop Explore for the first two times you visit that day before settling back into the Trends list. This isn’t anything new. Back in the late 90’s, Yahoo used to charge Disney $500K for a page takeover.
(Source: TechCrunch)
