SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) May 24 – Monster Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:MNST – news), the parent of job-hunting site Monster.com, on Monday said it bought Tickle Inc., which offers online tests to help people land their ideal job or mate, in a deal valued at more than $90 million.
What is Monster up to? Seems a little outside their core business. Internet dating? Psych questionnaires? We’ll watch on in wonder to see how they integrate their services to make use of the viral factor that Tickle should/may/could manufacture for them.
From what I could see, Tickle’s social network had nowhere near the traction of Friendster. People do however love their tests. They’ve done a nice job of making them entertaining and lucrative. Seems like an older crowd that have taken to them the most.
I like the way they allow users to link their test results to their profiles. Now if they would only add that into their matchmaking equations.
You’ve got to wonder if Tickle is really worth $90 Million. Maybe Monster is trying to just buy a distribution channel? After all, Match.com parent Interactive Corp owns Evite and FriendFinder Inc. owns Dine.com. So, join the crowd and buy a distribution channel!!!
Monster stepping up with the big players. Taking on some of the larger online personal companies when they deal with jobs. May be an ok match
I think it’s a bargain. Take a look at Tickle’s Alexa ranking. It’s about 118. I also believe they are one of the only dating sites that have more women than men.
http://www.alexa.com/data/details/?url=tickle.com
Merav Knafo
Co-founder
LookBetterOnline.com
310.990.3092