We all know social media is about relationships at its core, so what about online dating? The reality is that online dating has been part and parcel of social media since the beginning of online forums. Dating has also been a driver of non-dating sites such as Facebook & Twitter. Just after Valentine's Day celebrations have ended, join us to explore the world of online dating, through the lens of social media. Online dating is a form of social media and the online dating sites are using sophisticated social media methods to connect, grow and engage with their audience.

This panel, featuring some of the top experts in the realm of online dating and social media including Julie Spira, Jennifer Kelton and Scott Lewallen, will look at the dynamics of online dating as an extension of social media.

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ITINERARY

Julie Spira is a top online dating expert and author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating. She's Editor-in-Chief at the online dating advice site, CyberDatingExpert.com, where she helps singles find love on the Internet.

Julie was an early adopter of the Internet, having held several executive positions at communications, telecom and Internet companies. She started her career as the first female on-air personality at WAAL-FM in New York and was the youngest female executive at RKO Radio Networks, the country's first digital-delivered satellite radio network.

Julie's been quoted and appeared as an online dating expert in/on over 500 media stories about online dating, including ABC, BBC, Boston Globe, CBS, CNN, FOX News, Glamour, Good Morning America, Los Angeles Times, Men's Health, NBC, New York Times, Redbook, USA Today, Washington Post, and Wired. She's a top influencer in dating on Klout and was listed in the "Top 10 Columnists to follow on Twitter." Her dating advice has appears on DatingAdvice.com, eHarmony, JDate, Match.com, YourTango, and Zoosk.

Find Julie online:

Twitter: @juliespira
Facebook: Facebook.com/JulieSpira | Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/juliespira
Website: CyberDatingExpert.com

Jennifer Kelton is an entrepreneur, pioneer in the bad-date online conversation since 2007, author, social media innovator and dating advisor, who has been investigating the game of love for 30 years. Kelton is founder and CEO of the 5 year old social dating community Bad Online Dates, Green Knights Entertainment, and Bad Date TV, as well as author of Don't Use My Sweater Like a Towel, a candid dating guide. Jennifer has signed a production deal with an entertainment company in Los Angeles for a network TV show. Her work and book have been featured on CNN Living, The Washington Post, iPad News Tracker, TIME Travel, Seattle Weekly, ABC KGTV San Diego, KTVU FOX Oakland, Mashable and many other media outlets.

Fans can laugh, post bad dates and get dating advice on the Bad Online Dates Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Bad Date TV and free Bad Dates App available in iTunes.

Find Jennifer online:

Twitter: @badonlinedates
Facebook: Facebook.com/badonlinedates
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jenniferkelton
Website: BadOnlineDates.com

Scott Lewallen is the Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Product & Design of Grindr LLC, thecompany behind the highly popular Grindr app and the new Blendr app.

With over 10 years of experience working in design and marketing, Lewallen leads Grindr and Blendr’sproduct development, user experience, and developing brand presence. His previous positions includeArt Director for E! Entertainment’s and Creative Director at Atlantis Events.

Prior to Grindr LLC, Scott started his own design company creating identities for brands and products forclients in the various industries, including health & fitness, entertainment, technology, and more.

Born and raised in Southern California, Lewallen graduated from the Annenberg School forCommunication of University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in 2003. Lewallen currentlyresides in Los Angeles.

Twitter: @scottlewallen | @Grindr
Facebook: Facebook.com/Grindr
Linkedlin: linkedin.com/in/scottlewallen
Website: grindr.com

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LOCATION

General Assembly
1520 2nd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Parking: Public parking garage at Santa Monica Place, located at Colorado and 2nd. Enter on 2nd st. Free for first 90-minutes. $1/hour after that. Four minute walk to GA.

Learn more about GA:
General Assembly is a global network of campuses for individuals seeking opportunity and education in technology, business, and design. GA offers ongoing educational programming in ten cities around the world: Berlin, Boston, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Sydney.

Find GA online: generalassemb.ly | facebook.com/gnrlassembly | twitter.com/ga

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