SCRUFF Introduces Free Ad Space for Non Profits to Reach LGBT Community

Leading Gay Social Networking App to donate more than 1 billion ad impressions worth more than $1M in the next year

SCRUFF's Benevolads allows for local LGBT and non-LGBT charities and organizations to reach the SCRUFF community with their messages.(Photo: Business Wire)

NEW YORK--()--SCRUFF (www.SCRUFF.com), one of the world’s largest Gay social networking apps, today announced the launch of Benevolads™ – SCRUFF’s new in-app global advertising platform to connect non-profit organizations that work with the LGBT community with SCRUFF’s worldwide base of more than 7 million members.

Benevolads ad space is free to non-profits and community organizations. Approximately 80% of Benevolads will be reserved for local ads, so that SCRUFF members will see messages from their hometown organizations as well as global non-profits. Benevolads provide a positive impact to organizations and community groups at every level – local, domestic and international. SCRUFF anticipates donating more than 1 billion ad impressions, at a value of more than $1M, in its first year.

“Organizations reach out to SCRUFF every day asking for help getting the word out about things like events, fundraisers, and sports leagues. Benevolads enables us to say ‘yes’ to everyone” says Founder Johnny Skandros. “Since 2010, the mission of SCRUFF has been to connect gay men to one another and to the global gay community. With Benevolads, SCRUFF further fulfills this mission, at a global scale.”

In the past 5 years, the mobile ad industry has grown substantially, but has continued to struggle targeting content relevant to the LGBT community. “We heard from our members that they were disappointed in the ads placed by our ad partners, and we wanted to give them something better” says Founding Partner and Chief Product Officer Jason Marchant. “As gay men have moved online and to mobile, it has become critical for non-profits to meet their communities where they gather. Using Benevolads, with just a logo and a headline, any organization can reach their community with mobile ads on SCRUFF.”

As part of the launch of Benevolads, SCRUFF worked to pilot the program with leading NYC non-profits Housing Works and CRUX Climbing.

"Benevolads has given Housing Works the opportunity to directly reach new advocates in our fight to end AIDS. This opportunity opens an untapped channel, allowing us to gain greater support and awareness of our mission.” said Andrew Greene, Housing Works’ SVP of Marketing and Development.

"The SCRUFF Benevolads program has allowed CRUX Climbing to expand our efforts to reach the LGBTQ community of New York City in an effort to spread the word about CRUX and our mission,” noted Mike Pittman, Director of IT & Web Technology with CRUX. “By reaching more members of our community, we can increase our efforts to improve the mental and physical health of the LGBTQ community and expand our outreach programs to New York City's LGBTQ homeless youth community."

SCRUFF is now actively inviting non-profits in the USA and UK that work with the LGBT community to start using Benevolads. To get started today or for more information on Benevolads, please visit http://www.SCRUFF.com/advertise/

To download SCRUFF for iOS devices, please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/SCRUFF-gay-guys-worldwide/id380015247?mt=8

To download SCRUFF for Android devices, please visit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appspot.SCRUFFappwww.play.google.com/SCRUFFapp

To download SCRUFF for Windows Phone, please visit: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/scruff/19ed258d-7e22-4f09-a1dc-ae478f0261b6

About SCRUFF

SCRUFF is one of the top 10 social networking apps in the iOS App Store and Google Play and the top gay social networking app in the Windows Phone Store. Founded by Johnny Skandros and Eric Silverberg in 2010, SCRUFF has expanded to become an international success and app of choice for a community of more than 7 million gay, bi and trans men worldwide. SCRUFF can be downloaded from the iOS App StoreGoogle Play, and the Windows Phone Store. Connect with SCRUFF on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts

MWW
Ryan Wallace, 212-704-9727
rwallace@mww.com

Release Summary

SCRUFF INTRODUCES FREE AD SPACE FOR NON PROFITS TO REACH LGBT COMMUNITY Leading Gay Social Networking App to donate more than 1 billion ad impressions worth more than $1M in the next year

Contacts

MWW
Ryan Wallace, 212-704-9727
rwallace@mww.com