Ypulse Merges with Thumb Polling App Firm

In the US, youth research specialist Ypulse has merged with mobile app polling company Thumb Inc, giving it access to the latter's social network and feedback platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Thumb app (formerly known as Opinionaided), which was launched in June 2010 by Dan Kurani and Michael Melli, provides a tool through which users can solicit and provide opinions on any subject by voting 'thumbs up', 'thumbs down' or 'neutral'. Thumb also offers access to a mobile social community of nearly two million members.

After the merger, Kurani will continue in his role at Thumb, while joining Ypulse as Chief Digital Officer and a member of the Board, while Melli will continue as VP Engineering.

Dan Coates, co-founder and President of Ypulse, comments: 'We founded the company on the insight that social media could connect us with youth opinion, and mobile usage has since come to dominate the online behavior of 'Millennials'. Our goal is to work closely with Dan Kurani and his team to aggressively pivot toward mobile, enabling our clients to connect with young consumers at the 'feedback moment', wherever and whenever that may occur.'

Web sites: www.ypulse.com and www.thumb.it .