Monster Worldwide
| Company type | Public (formerly) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Employment services |
| Predecessor | Telephone Marketing Programs (TMP) |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Andrew McKelvey |
| Fate | Acquired by Randstad in 2016; majority ownership transferred to CareerBuilder in 2024 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | James J. Treacy (former president and CEO) |
| Owner | CareerBuilder, LLC (majority, since 2024); Randstad (minority) |
| Parent | Zen, JV, LLC (former); Randstad (2016–2024) |
Monster Worldwide, Inc., previously known as TMP Worldwide, was a U.S.-based employment services company under the ownership of Zen, JV, LLC. Recently, Zen, JV, LLC initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and divested certain assets, including the job board technology of Monster Worldwide, which was acquired by MCB Bermuda, Ltd, a subsidiary affiliated with Bold Holdings LLC.
History
The company was established by Andrew McKelvey as Telephone Marketing Programs (TMP), initially concentrating on advertising within the Yellow Pages. In 1993, McKelvey collaborated with recruitment advertising pioneer Don Tendler to create TMP's recruitment segment.
By 1995, TMP's recruitment branch had taken over The Monster Board and Online Career Center (OCC). TMP Worldwide became a publicly traded entity in 1996, and in 1999, its career-related websites were consolidated under the brand Monster.com.
Also in 1999, TMP expanded into executive search by acquiring LAI Worldwide (previously Lamalie Associates).
Monster Worldwide
In May 2003, TMP Worldwide rebranded as Monster Worldwide,<ref> while its divisions—Monster, TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications, and TMP Worldwide Directional Marketing—kept their original names. The former eResourcing and Executive Search units were spun off to establish Hudson Highland Group. The Yellow Pages directional marketing unit was sold off in 2005.
Radancy
On August 31, 2006, the advertising and recruitment segments of Monster Worldwide separated to form TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications, LLC through a management buyout valued at US$45 million.
Option backdating
James J. Treacy (1959–2020), who served as Monster’s president and CEO, was found guilty in May 2009 of conspiracy related to backdating stock option grants during the period from 1997 to 2003. He received a two-year prison sentence.
Randstad
In August 2016, Dutch staffing services company Randstad purchased Monster Worldwide for US$429 million, broadening its presence in the online recruitment sector.
CareerBuilder
On July 1, 2024, Randstad transferred majority ownership of Monster Worldwide to CareerBuilder, LLC, which is supported by investors such as Apollo Funds. Randstad retained a minority interest while senior leaders from both firms joined the newly formed management team.