Web site helps Penguins find love
Michael J. Balale
Issue date: 11/25/03 Section: pageone
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Staring straight ahead at the camera, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie, a man who calls himself "jgera5" is looking for love.
Jgera5 says he has "sparkling brown eyes," black or dark brown hair and a desire to meet a woman.
His posting, carrying the headline "Just lonely, I guess" is one of 350 recently added to www.penguinsingles.com
White Buffalo Ventures, a Texas-based company, is trying to play matchmaker for Penguin faithful and alumni with the launching of its new penguinsingles.com.
The site was opened Nov. 11 and is being marketed to current and former YSU students through the university's central e-mail system, CUE-mail.
University officials say that White Buffalo Ventures is doing this without their consent.
Walt Ulbricht, executive director of Marketing and Communications, said he had heard about penguinsingles.com but had no idea who authorized the use of YSU e-mail accounts.
The founder of White Buffalo Ventures, however, said no one gave him permission and that he did not need permission.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, Brad Armstrong, CEO of White Buffalo, said, "Federal law gave me permission."
Using a list he obtained through open records laws, Armstrong's company sent e-mails to hundreds of YSU students last week pushing the site.
"Singles with a connection to Youngstown State University have a new way to get a date or meet their mate, depending on how well a preliminary exchange of e-mail goes," reads an e-mail sent to current and former YSU students from White Buffalo Ventures.
In the e-mail, Armstrong described why he believes the site will be successful for those seeking relationships.
"The great thing about penguinsingles.com is that it focuses on a particular market segment that already has something in common," he said in the written statement. "With most online dating services, you're dealing with a national base of people who have very disparate interests and experiences. penguinsingles.com, on the other hand, starts off with a common denominator, either an association or an interest in Youngstown State University."
Jgera5 says he has "sparkling brown eyes," black or dark brown hair and a desire to meet a woman.
His posting, carrying the headline "Just lonely, I guess" is one of 350 recently added to www.penguinsingles.com
White Buffalo Ventures, a Texas-based company, is trying to play matchmaker for Penguin faithful and alumni with the launching of its new penguinsingles.com.
The site was opened Nov. 11 and is being marketed to current and former YSU students through the university's central e-mail system, CUE-mail.
University officials say that White Buffalo Ventures is doing this without their consent.
Walt Ulbricht, executive director of Marketing and Communications, said he had heard about penguinsingles.com but had no idea who authorized the use of YSU e-mail accounts.
The founder of White Buffalo Ventures, however, said no one gave him permission and that he did not need permission.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, Brad Armstrong, CEO of White Buffalo, said, "Federal law gave me permission."
Using a list he obtained through open records laws, Armstrong's company sent e-mails to hundreds of YSU students last week pushing the site.
"Singles with a connection to Youngstown State University have a new way to get a date or meet their mate, depending on how well a preliminary exchange of e-mail goes," reads an e-mail sent to current and former YSU students from White Buffalo Ventures.
In the e-mail, Armstrong described why he believes the site will be successful for those seeking relationships.
"The great thing about penguinsingles.com is that it focuses on a particular market segment that already has something in common," he said in the written statement. "With most online dating services, you're dealing with a national base of people who have very disparate interests and experiences. penguinsingles.com, on the other hand, starts off with a common denominator, either an association or an interest in Youngstown State University."