Financial Release

• Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations of $0.24 on Total Revenue of $291 Million

• Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations of $0.27, Excluding $0.03 Loss from ChinaHR

• Operating Expenses at $248 Million; Non-GAAP Operating Expenses, Excluding ChinaHR, Decline to $235 Million

• Net Cash and Securities of $259 Million, Reflecting Acquisition of ChinaHR and Payment to Settle Stock Option Litigation

• Complete Re-Design of Sites Provides Industry Leading Capabilities for Seekers and Employers

Fourth Quarter Results

GAAP

Total revenue was $291 million, a 16% decline, compared with $348 million in the comparable quarter of 2007, as the weakening global economy significantly impacted hiring demand. Monster generated 44% of its revenue outside the United States and total revenue was negatively impacted by $19 million from unfavorable foreign exchange rates.

Consolidated operating expenses were $248 million, and income from continuing operations was $29 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to $46 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the comparable 2007 period. Foreign exchange rates negatively impacted consolidated operating income by approximately $6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.

PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

Income from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2008 includes pre-tax pro forma adjustments that include: $3.2 million of expenses associated with the Company's restructuring plan; $3.3 million of legal fees, primarily related to the Company's obligation to indemnify former officers for their defense in connection with the ongoing litigation related to historical stock option grant practices; and a $2.2 million reduction to total revenue due to the purchase accounting for ChinaHR. Offsetting these adjustments were $10.0 million of reimbursements from former Company officers related to the stock option settlement announced on July 31, 2008. As a result, the Company recorded a pre-tax pro forma benefit to income of $1.3 million. These pro forma adjustments are described in the "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and are reconciled to the GAAP measure in the accompanying tables.

CHINAHR

On October 8, 2008, Monster completed the acquisition of ChinaHR, which is consolidated in the Company's quarterly financial results, and is included as a component of the Careers - International operating segment. Monster has recorded a $2.2 million purchase accounting adjustment to reduce revenue, which is reflected as a pro forma adjustment in reconciling the Company's non-GAAP results. For the fourth quarter of 2008, ChinaHR generated $11.1 million of non-GAAP revenue and posted an after-tax loss of $3.7 million, or a $0.03 loss per diluted share.

SEGMENTS

Careers non-GAAP revenue declined 18% to $260 million compared with last year's fourth quarter. Careers - International non-GAAP revenue was $125 million, a 13% decline over the prior year period, or an 8% decline excluding currency and the contribution from ChinaHR. Careers - North America revenue was $135 million, compared with $174 million in the prior year period. Internet Advertising & Fees revenue grew 6% to $33 million over last year's fourth quarter.

NON-GAAP

Excluding the pro forma adjustments and the financial results of ChinaHR, the Company generated revenue of $282 million and $235 million of operating expenses, representing the lowest quarterly expense level since the fourth quarter of 2006. In last year's fourth quarter, revenue was $348 million and operating expenses were $272 million. Income from continuing operations was $32 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $53 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, in the prior year.

LIQUIDITY & BALANCE SHEET

Monster ended 2008 with total available liquidity of $512 million. As of year-end, the Company had cash and marketable securities of $314 million and $198 million available to borrow under its credit facilities, providing significant financial liquidity.

During the quarter, the Company paid approximately $36 million, which was previously accrued, to settle certain litigation related to historical stock option practices. Prior to this one-time payment, the Company generated $21 million from operating activities, compared to $64 million generated in the prior year period.

During the fourth quarter Monster deployed its capital in a number of strategic areas. In October 2008, the Company purchased the remaining 55% interest in ChinaHR for $174 million. The Company also had net repayments of $193 million under its existing credit facilities. Capital expenditures were $22 million, reflecting the Company's strategic investments in technology and infrastructure. Approximately $90 million of auction rate securities are classified as a long-term asset on the consolidated balance sheet, and are included in the cash and securities balance as of December 31, 2008. As a result, the Company ended the quarter with net cash and securities of $259 million, after accounting for $55 million of total debt.

The Company did not repurchase shares during the fourth quarter under its stock repurchase program. Monster Worldwide's deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2008 was $414 million, reflecting global economic weakness, compared with last year's fourth quarter balance of $524 million, and $412 million reported for the third quarter of 2008.

Sal Iannuzzi, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Monster Worldwide, said, "During the quarter we operated in a sharply deepening economic recession that significantly impacted demand worldwide for online recruitment services. As the quarter progressed, we took swift and decisive action to reduce operating expenses without compromising our strategic investments."

In commenting on the new seeker experience, Mr. Iannuzzi said, "We are extremely proud that we successfully delivered on our commitment to provide industry leading products to our global customers and millions of job seekers. On January 10, 2009, we unveiled a new seeker experience across 24 countries, an unprecedented feat in our industry. Seekers are now experiencing a personal, relevant and engaging site that provides valuable tools to help them find the right job and manage their career goals."

GAAP Full Year Results

Monster Worldwide reported total revenue of $1.34 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008, a 1% increase compared to $1.32 billion in the comparable period last year. Careers revenue was $1.21 billion compared with $1.20 billion in the 2007 period. Internet Advertising & Fees reported revenue of $130 million, a slight increase over the prior year period. The Company reported income from continuing operations of $114 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, compared to $150 million or $1.15 per diluted share in the prior year period.

Mr. Iannuzzi concluded, "The quarter continued a year of many accomplishments as we made significant strides towards the transformation to the 'new' Monster. In addition to our successful product launch on January 10^th, we rebuilt our technology platform, expanded our sales coverage and extended our global presence in key international markets. These achievements were all accomplished while we significantly reduced our cost base in an extremely challenging operating environment. We are fortunate to enter 2009 with a strong net cash position and a solid, liquid balance sheet to support our business plan and growth initiatives. We are carefully monitoring our customers' needs and are in an excellent position to take appropriate action in response to the evolving global economy. Our strong fundamentals, now augmented by these new products, position us well to gain market share during an economic recovery."

Supplemental Financial Information

The Company has made available certain supplemental financial information, in a separate document that can be accessed directly at http://corporate.monster.com/Q408.pdf or through the Company's Investor Relations website at http://ir.monster.com.

Conference Call Information

Fourth quarter 2008 results will be discussed on Monster Worldwide's quarterly conference call taking place on January 29, 2009 at 5:00 PM EST. To join the conference call, please dial (888) 551-5973 at 4:50 PM EST and reference conference ID# 81751364. For those outside the United States, please dial (706) 643-3467 and reference the same conference ID#. The call will begin promptly at 5:00 PM EST. Individuals can also access Monster Worldwide's quarterly conference call online through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://ir.monster.com. For a replay of the call, please dial (800) 642-1687 or outside the United States dial (706) 645-9291 and reference ID #81751364. This number is valid until midnight on February 5, 2009.

About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster(R), the premier global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to inspire people to improve their lives. With a local presence in key markets in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers with quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and services, Monster delivers vast, highly targeted audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a member of the S&P 500 index. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com.

Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as additional information for its operating results. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes that its presentation of non-GAAP measures provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations.

Non-GAAP revenue, operating expenses, operating income, operating margin, income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share all exclude certain pro forma adjustments including: costs associated with the Company's historical stock option grant practices, related litigation and potential fines or settlements; severance costs for former executive officers incurred in the second quarter of 2007; costs related to the measures taken by the Company in response to a security breach in August 2007; the strategic restructuring actions initiated in the third quarter of 2007; and the fair value adjustment to deferred revenue in connection with the acquisition of ChinaHR. Additionally, the Company is presenting its non-GAAP consolidated results, both inclusive and exclusive of the fourth quarter ChinaHR results (utilizing a 25% effective tax rate, which is the statutory rate in China). The Company uses these non-GAAP measures for reviewing the ongoing results of the Company's core business operations and in certain instances, for measuring performance under certain of the Company's incentive compensation plans. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Operating income before depreciation and amortization ("OIBDA") is defined as income from operations before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of stock based compensation and non-cash costs incurred in connection with the Company's restructuring program. The Company considers OIBDA to be an important indicator of its operational strength. This measure eliminates the effects of depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of stock based compensation and non-cash restructuring costs from period to period, which the Company believes is useful to management and investors in evaluating its operating performance. OIBDA is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free cash flow is considered a liquidity measure and provides useful information about the Company's ability to generate cash after investments in property and equipment. Free cash flow reflected herein is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Free cash flow does not reflect the total change in the Company's cash position for the period and should not be considered a substitute for such a measure.

Net cash and securities is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus short-term and long-term marketable securities, less total debt. The Company considers net cash and securities to be an important measure of liquidity and an indicator of its ability to meet its ongoing obligations. The Company also uses net cash and securities, among other measures, in evaluating its choices for capital deployment. Net cash and securities presented herein is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Special Note: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company's strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of our control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, risks associated with acquisitions or dispositions, competition, ongoing costs associated with the Company's historical stock option grant practices, costs associated with the restructuring and security breach, and the other risks discussed in our Form 10-K and our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.

SOURCE: Monster Worldwide, Inc.

Investors:
Monster Worldwide, Inc.
Robert Jones, 212-351-7032
Robert.Jones@monsterworldwide.com
or
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