Spark Networks Proposes Two New Directors for its Administrative Board Slate

Spark Networks has named Michael McConnell and Ulrike Handel to the slate of potential members of its Administrative Board to be voted on at its annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for August 31, 2022.

Mr. McConnell formerly served as a Managing Director of Shamrock Capital Advisors, a private investment company managing funds for the Roy E. Disney family and institutional investors. He has also served as an interim Chief Executive Officer or Executive Chairman for four publicly listed companies, including Spark, and has served on the boards of directors of sixteen publicly listed companies in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel.  Mr. McConnell served at Osmium’s behest on the board of Vitacost Limited, which underwent a strategic alternatives process culminating in a sale to the Kroger Co.

Dr. Handel serves as a member of the Executive Board of Axel Springer SE and currently heads its News Media Europe & Marketing Media division.  Prior to that, she was the Chief Executive Officer of Dentsu International (Germany and DACH); before that, Dr. Handel served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ad pepper media International N.V. 

“We are eager to benefit from the wealth of experience that both Mike and Ulrike bring,” said Colleen Birdnow Brown, Chair of Spark’s Administrative Board, “as well as the fresh perspectives of two new members.  We look forward to working with both.”

Mr. McConnell was first recommended by Osmium Partners, which holds an approximate 22% stake in Spark.  Osmium Chief Investment Officer John Lewis said, “I have worked with Mike firsthand and believe he is an outstanding and committed advocate of maximizing shareholder value.  As a former Spark board member, he understands the online dating business.  I believe Mike’s long history of leadership, coupled with his experience advising strategic alternative processes, make him an ideal addition to the Board.  Osmium is pleased support the entire slate of Board members proposed by the Company.”