On Saturday, Match.com launched its new Match.com social events with Bark in the Park – a dating event designed to give single dog-owners the chance to meet each other. Match.com socials are activity based dating events which aim to bring likeminded people together through activities based on their shared interests. Londoners are passionate about their canine companions, so this event will be a great ice-breaker for singles looking for another way to meet potential dates.
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Match.com launched the Bark In The Park event with a ‘Barketing’ campaign – a series of adverts with details of the event were placed around London’s Battersea Park, with separate posters at eye-level for both owners and their dogs. To help attract extra canine attention, the posters at dog-level were scented with “Beefy Dog Food” to make them irresistible to passing pooches.
We talk to Lucy Watson from Made in Chelsea who was the face of the campaign with her dog Digby.
What made you want to get involved with the Bark in the Park event?
I think it’s a great idea because I have a huge love of dogs and animals in general. I have personally in the past found it difficult to find people to date who have similar interests to me. So those who go there know that the people they will be hanging around with will be single and who also like dogs so that is a great start.
You are in the limelight a lot thanks to Made in Chelsea, so how important is it for you to use your fame to put towards such a good cause like The Dog’s Trust who has benefitted from this campaign?
For me it’s stupid not to really. It is common sense to help with the new profile I have gained from doing what I do. It is so easy to help charities and raise awareness of things and I just think why not? Why wouldn’t I?
Why did Match.com want to focus specifically on dog owners to find love from all of their members?
I think it’s a good idea among all their other good ideas to match likeminded people – they are doing other activities like cooking and photography and this is just another element that has come up and I think it’s great.
How can having a pet affect dating? To what extent can it prove to be a big issue for some if one is an animal lover and the other isn’t?
I think it’s an issue if you are dating someone and you do want them to like animals otherwise it is probably going to cause issues and it likely won’t go much further than dating. With Bark in the Park it eliminated that one problem for everyone.
Why do you think it’s important that couples bond over common interests such as having a pet when they first meet?
If you are going to date someone you want them to have similar interests and be similar to you otherwise what are you going to talk about? You are more likely to get on with someone who has similar interests to you.
Why was it important to set up activities such as cookery and photography for the members and general public at the event?
Activities which involve a shared interest can be a great way of meeting new people – you instantly know you have something in common. Match.com socials also include activities such as ‘pop up painting’ VIP cinema experiences and medieval banqueting as well as cookery and photography.
Match.com socials are an extension of match.com nights which offer members the chance to meet singles at informal get-togethers in bars and pubs.
Why can having a pet be a great ice breaker on dates?
If you know that someone else has a pet it can be a great conversation starter and it can sometimes be difficult to start up conversations with strangers, so I guess it’s good way to begin an interaction.
There is mention of your dog Digby, so how do you think he will cope at the event?
Yes, I will be bringing him along- I’m not sure how he will cope with the other dogs but we’ll see! He will probably really enjoy it and we walk in Battersea Park every day, so it will be nice for him.
What is next for you?
So much, we start filming for series 7 and hopefully going to New York in May to film out there. I have got my own jewellery line, Creature, which I have just launched online. Hopefully we will have an official launch and press in the next coming week.
tagged in Made in Chelsea Lucy Watson