Winner of match.com’s Date Explorer role prepares to set off around the world in search of international dating tips to galvanise UK’s dating scene
match.com has today announced the winning candidate in its search for one lucky single to become its new ‘Date Explorer’. The role, the first position of its kind, requires the successful applicant to travel the globe investigating other dating cultures and picking up tips for British singles.
The winner, 23 year-old Laila Swann, from Hampstead in North London, was selected for her adventurous attitude and offering plenty of fresh ideas of how to document her journey with photos, videos and blog posts.
On June 3rd, she will be jetting off on an all-expenses-paid, around-the-world trip to gather dating tips and expertise from five worldwide cultures, bringing back the secrets that will make Britain a nation of better daters. Her journey will start with a visit to New York, often viewed as the capital of the global dating scene, followed by a stop in Rio de Janeiro, before heading back to Europe and to Rome. Laila will then jet to Paris, known for being one of the most romantic cities in the world, with a final visit to Stockholm to sample some laid-back Scandinavian culture concluding her six-week trip.
Laila will be tasked with going on dates using match.com’s app, attending dating events and interviewing successful daters about their country’s single culture and dating habits. From salsa dancing to saunas, café culture to cocktail bars, Laila will find out what makes daters around the world tick and then bring her pearls of wisdom back to the UK.
Laila comments: “I’m over the moon at being picked, so I’ve been busy preparing myself for the job of a lifetime. There’s something refreshing about meeting new people from different cultures and backgrounds and finding out what makes them tick. I can’t wait to bring all my findings back to the UK!”
Karl Gregory, MD UK & Ireland, match.com said: “Thank you to everyone who applied. We received a huge interest with over 750 strong applicants from around the globe.
“Laila’s application really shone with her enthusiasm, eagerness to experience new cultures and her blue sky ideas on dating. She’ll be interviewing experts and singles abroad, as well as using the match.com mobile app in each country to set up dates, so we’re expecting a host of interesting insights to share at the end of the trip.”
The unique job offer was launched after match’s research identified that British singles needed to improve their dating game, and still have something to learn from their intercontinental counterparts. Almost half (49 per cent) of British singles think that dating should be more fun, while just 26 per cent think we Brits are good daters compared to other nationalities. The research showed that more than 40% of those quizzed believed Britain is stuck in a dating rut and could do more to spice up their dating lives. More than 80% of Britain’s dates stick to a very tried-and-tested formula, comprising either a drink in a bar (32 per cent), a meal (29 per cent) or a coffee (21 per cent).
Kate Taylor, dating and relationship expert at match.com, comments: “The Date Explorer needs to be a vibrant and confident person, willing to try new things, and Laila truly fits the bill. We are already hugely influenced by other nations in all areas of life, from what we eat and drink, to how we spend our leisure time, so her findings will be fundamental to how we date in the future.”
To keep up to date with the journey and global dating advice from match visit: www.match.com/dateexplorer
For more information on Laila and to keep up-to-date with her latest findings during the trip:
- Laila’s twitter: https://twitter.com/lailablogs
- Laila’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/lailaloves/
- Laila’s blog: Laila Loves.
- com twitter: https://twitter.com/match_uk
- com Instagram: https://instagram.com/ukmatch/
Notes to editors:
About the research
The research was carried out by One Poll, surveying 2,000 UK singles aged 23+, between 16th – 19th March 2015.
About match:
Founded in 1995, match.com is the original dating website and pioneer of the online dating industry. 20 years later, match is responsible for more dates, relationships and marriages than any other website.
match.com pioneered and helped shape the online dating industry into the phenomenon it is today and continues to innovate and offer members more ways to meet, including singles events in 21 cities and the UK’s number one downloaded iOS and Android app by revenue in 2014.*
As a founding member of the Online Dating Association (ODA), match.com is committed to providing a safe and confidential community for its members.
*App Annie Index: 2014 Retrospective