Geoff Cook Joins ODA Board of Directors

The Online Dating Association (ODA) has announced that Geoff Cook has joined its board of directors as its first-ever independent director. Cook co-founded The Meet Group and was CEO of the dating business from 2013 to 2023.

The ODA is the trade body recognised as the voice of the online dating sector worldwide. There are over 75 member brands, including Hinge, Match.com, Tinder, MeetMe, Zoosk, and more.

Other members of its board include Morgan Cauvin, Head of Government Relations & Policy EMEA, Match Group; Jessica Alderson, CEO & Co-Founder, So Syncd; and Fred Beckley, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer, Spark Networks.

“I am honored to join the board of the Online Dating Association, the dating industry’s preeminent trade association. I’m thrilled to work alongside Hannah Shimko, fellow directors, and staff to create and promote standards that help dating & social services deliver trust & confidence, while fostering kinder connections, inclusiveness, and inspiring countless happy relationships”, Cook shared.

“For the last 18 years, I’ve built safety into the DNA of innovative dating and live-streaming video services reaching tens of millions of people. I’ve come to appreciate that “best practice” is a bar that must always be raised, and that the best way to raise it is to cultivate a technology & standards-setting ecosystem, while sharing collaboratively and generously with other responsible industry participants. The ODA plays a critical role in shaping exactly this landscape, and for that reason, I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to contribute”, he continued.

Cook has been a prominent thought-leader in the online dating industry. In an episode of The GDI Podcast, he shared his insights on the competition between social media and online dating, as well as the growth of live video features within the industry. 

Dr Hannah Shimko, the ODA’s Chief Executive, shared “We are delighted to welcome Geoff Cook as the inaugural independent board member of the Online Dating Association. His extensive industry experience and knowledge will make him an invaluable addition to our Board”.

“Geoff’s proven track record in the online dating sector, coupled with his commitment to promoting safety and best practices aligns with our mission for the ODA going into the next five years. We are confident his strategic insights and expertise will help the ODA contribute to advancing the dating industry, and his unique experience will support ODA as we explore what comes next for the Association. I very much look forward to working with Geoff”, she added.

You can find more information about the Online Dating Association on its website here.