ITV to drop subscription model for Friends Reunited
by Maria Esposito,
Brand Republic
31-Oct-07, 09:05
LONDON - ITV is set to ditch Friend Reunited's subscription model in response to growing pressure from free social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.
Comments
OK. Now I will join. 'nuff said about online models?
This could just be me, but the last time I was on Friends Reunited I couldn't find a single person in my school year who'd updated their profile in the last 18 months!
There are other more profitable ways for FR to generate revenue than charging an annual subscription fee. Besides, having to pay to reply to a message from someone you can barely remember seems daft when their photo is (probably) on Facebook.
I have now 'joined' and have to say it was an eye-opener. I even have found a guy I went to school with over 40 years ago. I'd like to send him a picture I found recently of him and me in a production of the 'Knave of Hearts'. And this is where they are being sneaky/clever... £7.50 to get in touch!
I've always wanted to know why 3 out of the 4 people on their banner are wearing sunglasses?
At the risk of diverting a sensible conversation about online business models and Peter's school days, I can answer Nigel's query. One of the co-founders of Friends' put the logo together in a rush and used a family snapshot to complete it. The family and friends featured were all on a ski-lift in the picture - hence the shades. Not sure how many multi-million pound brand logos are put together that way, but, for the original founders at least, it works.
Don't forget Alex...HE started it! (Did not..did too...)
I will now write out a hundred times: 'I must not be flippant and stick to the issues...'
No problem with flipancy at all, Peter. To be honest, when I first joined FR back in the day, I was contacted by a former teacher of mine - desperate not to relive that experience, I have rarely been back. If it was only school mates who were on the site, I might have given it more of my time.
Friends Reunited: may scrap subscription charge
Comments
Peter Martin - 31/10/2007
OK. Now I will join. 'nuff said about online models?
Alex Donohue - 31/10/2007
This could just be me, but the last time I was on Friends Reunited I couldn't find a single person in my school year who'd updated their profile in the last 18 months! There are other more profitable ways for FR to generate revenue than charging an annual subscription fee. Besides, having to pay to reply to a message from someone you can barely remember seems daft when their photo is (probably) on Facebook.
Peter Martin - 31/10/2007
I have now 'joined' and have to say it was an eye-opener. I even have found a guy I went to school with over 40 years ago. I'd like to send him a picture I found recently of him and me in a production of the 'Knave of Hearts'. And this is where they are being sneaky/clever... £7.50 to get in touch!
Nigel Parkes - 31/10/2007
I've always wanted to know why 3 out of the 4 people on their banner are wearing sunglasses?
Philip Smith - 01/11/2007
At the risk of diverting a sensible conversation about online business models and Peter's school days, I can answer Nigel's query. One of the co-founders of Friends' put the logo together in a rush and used a family snapshot to complete it. The family and friends featured were all on a ski-lift in the picture - hence the shades. Not sure how many multi-million pound brand logos are put together that way, but, for the original founders at least, it works.
Peter Martin - 01/11/2007
Don't forget Alex...HE started it! (Did not..did too...) I will now write out a hundred times: 'I must not be flippant and stick to the issues...'
Philip Smith - 02/11/2007
No problem with flipancy at all, Peter. To be honest, when I first joined FR back in the day, I was contacted by a former teacher of mine - desperate not to relive that experience, I have rarely been back. If it was only school mates who were on the site, I might have given it more of my time.