Document:

Exhibit 10.19

Exhibit 10.19

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, effective as of September 7, 2007 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and
between Monster Worldwide, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Lise Poulos (the
“Executive”).

RECITALS:

A. The Company desires to employ the Executive as its Executive Vice President, Chief of Staff
- Innovation Coordinator; and

B. The Executive desires to commit herself to serve the Company on the terms herein
provided.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and
agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions.

(a) “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with, such Person. For purposes of this Section 1(a), “control” shall have the meaning given such
term under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(b) “Annual Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

(c) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(d) “Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

(e) The Company shall have “Cause” to terminate the Executive’s employment upon:

(i) the Executive’s willful misconduct or gross negligence in the
performance of his duties hereunder, or his willful failure to attempt in good faith to carry out,
or comply with, in any material respect any lawful and reasonable written directive of the Board or
the Chief Executive Officer or the Executive’s willful material violation of the Company’s
statement of corporate policy and code of conduct at any time after such statement and code have
been adopted by the Board and have been set forth in writing and delivered to the Executive;

(ii) the Executive’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) of illegal drugs
on the Company’s premises or while performing the Executive’s duties and responsibilities;

(iii) the Executive’s failure or refusal to reasonably cooperate with any
governmental/regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Executive and the Company;

 

 

 

(iv) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement;

(v) the Executive’s intentional commission at any time in the
performance of his duties hereunder of any act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of Company
property, moral turpitude or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company that has a material
adverse effect on the Company; or

(vi) the Executive’s commission of a felony, other than as a result of vicarious
liability or as a result of a traffic violation.

For purposes hereof, no act or omission shall be deemed to be “willful” if such act or
omission was taken (or omitted) in the good faith belief that such is in the best interests of, or
not opposed to the best interests of, the Company or if such act or omission resulted from the
Executive’s physical or mental incapacity.

(f) “Change in Control” shall occur when:

(i) A
Person (which term, when used in this Section 1(f), shall not
include the Company, any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such
securities, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, any Company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Voting Stock of the Company or Andrew
McKelvey or his Affiliates; provided, however, if Andrew McKelvey or his Affiliates becomes part of
a “group” then such group may be included in the definition of Person in this subparagraph) is or
becomes, without the prior consent of a majority of the Continuing Directors, the beneficial owner
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended),
directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock representing twenty-five percent (25%) (or, even with such
prior consent, forty percent (40%)) or more of the combined voting power for election of directors
of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

(ii) The Company consummates a reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Company (which prior to the date of such consummation has been approved by the
Company’s stockholders) or the Company sells, or otherwise disposes of, all or substantially all of
the Company’s property and assets (other than a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale which
would result in all or substantially all of the beneficial owners of the Voting Stock of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to beneficially own, directly or
indirectly (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
resulting entity), more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such entity resulting from the transaction (including, without
limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all
of the Company’s property or assets, directly or indirectly) outstanding immediately after such
transaction in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership
immediately prior to such transaction), or the Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company; or

 

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(iii) The individuals who are Continuing Directors of the Company (as defined below) cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board in any 12 month period.

(g) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(h) “Committee” shall mean the Compensation/Stock Option Committee of the Board.

(i) “Common Stock” shall mean the $.01 par value common stock of the Company.

(j) “Company” shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 9, have the meaning
set forth in the preamble hereto.

(k) “Competitive Business” shall mean at any time during the Term and during the
12-month period immediately following the Date of Termination, any entity (which term “entity”
shall for purposes of this Section 1(k) include any subsidiaries, parent entities or other
Affiliates thereof) that, as of the Date of Termination, competes with any of the businesses of the
Company.

(l) “Continuing Director” means (i) any member of the Board immediately following the
election of directors at the Company’s 2006 annual meeting of stockholders or (ii) any person who
subsequently becomes a member of the Board who was elected by a majority of Continuing Directors or
whose appointment, election or nomination for election to the Board is recommended by a majority of
the Continuing Directors (which person shall thereby become a “Continuing Director”).

(m) “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by
his death, the date of his death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of
Disability, the date provided in Section 6(a)(ii); and (iii) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated pursuant to Sections 6(a)(iii) — (vii), the date specified in the Notice of Termination
(or if no such date is specified, the last day of the Executive’s active employment with the
Company), in each case provided in accordance with this Agreement.

(n) “Disability” shall mean “Disabled” as such term is defined in Section
409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code.

(o) “Equity Incentive Plan” means the Company’s 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as
amended from time to time (or any other equity based compensation plan or agreement that may be
adopted or entered into by the Company from time to time).

(p) “Executive” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

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(q) The Executive shall have “Good Reason” to resign her employment upon the occurrence
of any of the following without the Executive’s prior written consent:

(i) failure of the Company to continue the Executive in the position of, and with the
titles of, Executive Vice President, Chief of Staff - Innovation Coordinator;

(ii) a material diminution or undue dilution in the nature or scope of
the Executive’s employment responsibilities, duties or authority, a material interference with the
discharge of the Executive’s responsibilities, duties or authority or the assignment to the
Executive of duties or responsibilities that are materially and adversely inconsistent with his
then position;

(iii) relocation of the Company’s executive offices more than 35 miles from New York City, or
any requirement that the Executive relocate from his residence from the place existing on the
Effective Date;

(iv) failure of the Company to timely make any material payment or provide any material
benefit under this Agreement, or the Company’s reduction of any compensation or equity or any
material reduction of any benefits that the Executive is eligible to receive under this Agreement;
or

(v) the Company’s material breach of this Agreement; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the foregoing the Executive may not resign his employment for Good
Reason unless: (x) the Executive provides the Company with at least 30 days prior written notice of
his intent to resign for Good Reason (which notice is provided not later than the 90th day
following the date on which the Executive becomes aware of the occurrence of the event constituting
Good Reason), and (y) the Company does not remedy the alleged
violation(s) within such 30-day
period; and, provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing if the Executive is suspended
pursuant to Section 6(b), such suspension (and any corresponding diminution of the Executive’s
title, duties or compensation, or other change to the Executive’s employment arrangements described
hereunder) shall not, in and of itself, give the Executive Good Reason to resign his employment.

(r) “Intellectual Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(f).

(s) “Non-Compete Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

(t) “Notice of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).

(u) “Option” shall mean an option to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Equity
Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (or any other equity based compensation plan or
agreement that may be adopted or entered into by the Company from time to time).

 

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(v) “Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture,
governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

(w) “Pro-Rata Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(d).

 (x) “Release” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).

(y) “Restricted Stock” shall mean a share or shares of Common Stock granted to the
Executive pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (or any other equity
based compensation plan or agreement that may be adopted or entered into by the Company from time
to time).

(z) “Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.

(aa) “Voting Stock” means all capital stock of the Company which by its terms may be voted
on all matters submitted to stockholders of the Company generally.

2. Employment. Subject to Section 6, the Company shall employ the Executive and the
Executive shall continue in the employ of the Company, for the period set forth in this Section 2,
in the positions set forth in the first sentence of Section 3 and upon the other terms and
conditions herein provided. The term of employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for
the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fourth anniversary of the Effective
Date unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 6. The Initial Term shall automatically be
extended for successive one-year periods (each, an “Extension Term”) unless either party hereto
gives written notice of non-extension to the other party no later than 90 days prior to the
scheduled expiration of the Initial Term or the then applicable Extension Term (the Initial Term
and any Extension Term shall be collectively referred to hereunder as the “Term”).

3. Position and Duties. The Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President, Chief
of Staff - Innovation Coordinator, with such duties and responsibilities with respect to the
Company and its Affiliates as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) directs. The Executive
shall devote substantially all of his business time, attention and efforts, toward the performance
of his duties under this Agreement. The Executive shall devote substantially all of his business
time, attention and efforts, toward the performance of his duties under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may manage his personal investments, be involved in
charitable and professional activities (including serving on charitable and professional boards),
and, with the consent of the Board, serve on not more than two boards of directors and advisory
committees of public companies (including service on the Board of the Company), so long as such
service does not materially interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder or
violate Section 9 hereof.

4. Place of Performance. In connection with his employment during the Term, the
Executive shall be based at the Company’s offices in New York City, except for necessary travel on
the Company’s business.

 

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5. Compensation and Related Matters.

(a) Annual Base Salary. At the commencement of the Term, the Executive shall receive a
base salary at a rate of $375,000 per annum (the “Annual Base Salary”), paid in accordance with the
Company’s general payroll practices for executives, but no less frequently than monthly. The CEO,
Board and the Committee may in their sole discretion review the rate of Annual Base Salary payable
to the Executive in effect from time to time, and may, in their sole discretion, increase (but not
decrease) the rate of Annual Base Salary payable hereunder; provided, however, that any increased
rate shall thereafter be the rate of “Annual Base Salary” hereunder.

(b) Bonus. With respect to 2007 and each subsequent fiscal year during the Term (or
portion thereof), the Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the “Bonus”), as determined
pursuant to the Company’s 1999 Long Term Incentive Plan (or any similar or successor plan)
(collectively, the “Bonus Plan”), and on the basis of the Executive’s or the Company’s attainment
of objective financial or other operating criteria established by the Committee in its sole good
faith discretion and in consultation with the Executive. With respect to the 2007 fiscal year, you
will be eligible to receive a target bonus opportunity of 100% of your Annual Base Salary, provided
that the bonus for fiscal year 2007 shall be no less than $200,000, subject to your continued
employment with the Company through the date such bonus is paid, such bonus will not be pro-rated
based on the days the Executive was actually employed by the Company in fiscal year 2007. For the
years subsequent to 2007, you shall be eligible for a bonus opportunity of 100% of your Annual Base
Salary subject to the terms of the Bonus Plan. The Bonus for each fiscal year shall be paid to the
Executive no later than 75 days following the completion of such fiscal year. In addition, the
Executive shall be eligible to participate in any other bonus or compensation plan or program that
may be established by the Committee and that covers the Executive (even if such plan or program
does not provide for qualified performance-based bonuses within the meaning of Code Section
162(m)), at a level commensurate with the Executive’s position.

(c) Sign-On Bonus. The Executive shall receive a one-time sign-on bonus of $100,000
(the “Sign-on Bonus”) (less applicable withholding taxes) which shall be paid in lump sum within 30
days of the Effective Date.

(d) Equity Awards.

(i) The Company shall recommend to the Compensation Committee of the Board (the
“Compensation Committee”) within three months of the Effective Date that, subject to approval by
the Compensation Committee, the Executive shall be awarded 40,000 shares of Restricted Stock in
accordance with the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, subject to such vesting of one-fourth (1/4)
thereof on each of the first anniversary of the approval date of such award by the Compensation
Committee and each of the three anniversaries thereafter. Additionally, the award of the Restricted
Stock, if any, shall be subject to (i) the terms of the Company’s standard Restricted Stock
agreement which shall be required to be signed and returned by the Executive for the award to be
effective, and (ii) compliance with applicable securities laws and the Company’s policies concerning insider trading and equity practices, as
determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, the
Committee shall have complete and sole discretion as to whether to grant an award under this
Section 5(d)(i).

 

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(ii) For each year during the Term after 2007, the Executive shall be eligible to be
granted Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock, Options and/or other equity compensation awards
at such time(s) and in such amount(s) as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion,
at a level commensurate with the Executive’s position. For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee
shall have complete and sole discretion as to whether to grant awards (if any) under this Section
5(d)(ii).

(e) Benefits. The Executive (and his eligible dependents) shall be entitled to receive
such benefits (including, without limitation, fringe benefits and perquisites) and to participate
in such employee benefit plans, including life, health and disability insurance policies and the
Company’s Code Section 401(k) pension plan, as are generally provided by the Company to its senior
executives in accordance with the terms of such plans, practices and programs of the Company, at a
level commensurate with the Executive’s position.

(f) Expenses.
The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and
necessary expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s
duties as an employee of the Company. Such reimbursement is subject to the submission to the
Company by the Executive of appropriate documentation and/or vouchers in accordance with the
customary procedures of the Company for expense reimbursement, as such procedures may be revised by
the Company from time to time and to such caps on reimbursements as the Board may from time to time
impose.

(g) Paid Time Off. The Company shall provide the Executive with Paid Time Off (“PTO”)
based on length of service with the Company. Under such plan the Executive will be eligible to
accrue PTO daily with an annual maximum PTO entitlement of 168 hours (21 days a year) until
reaching the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date. Upon reaching the fifth
(5th) anniversary of the Effective Date, the Executive will accrue PTO daily with an
annual PTO entitlement of 208 hours (26 days a year) until the tenth (10th) anniversary
of the Effective Date. The daily accrual is the annual accrual amount divided by the total days in
a year. PTO encompasses vacation days, personal days and sick days, including the waiting period
for short term disability coverage.

 

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6. Termination. The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the
Company, on the one hand, or the Executive, on the other hand, as applicable, without any breach of
this Agreement only under the following circumstances:

(a) Terminations.

(i) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.

(ii) Disability. In the event of the Executive’s Disability, the Company may
give the Executive written notice of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment while he
remains so disabled. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate
effective on the 14th day after delivery of such notice, provided that within the 14 days after
such delivery, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of his duties.

(iii) Cause. The Board may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for
Cause in accordance with the terms of Section 1(e) hereof.

(iv) Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason in
accordance with the terms of Section l(q) hereof.

(v) Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment
without Cause upon 30 days written notice to the Executive.

(vi) Resignation without Good Reason. The Executive may resign his employment
without Good Reason upon 60 days written notice to the Company.

(vii) Non-Extension of Term. The Executive’s employment shall
terminate as of the last day of the Term if either party provides notice of non-extension of the
Term to the other pursuant to Section 2.

(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the
Company or by the Executive under this Section 6 (other than termination pursuant to paragraph
(a)(i) or (a)(vii)) shall be communicated by a written notice to the other party hereto indicating
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, setting forth in reasonable
detail any facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s
employment under the provision so indicated, and specifying a Date of Termination in accordance
with this Agreement (a “Notice of Termination”); provided, the Company may suspend the Executive
from his position with full pay during any notice period.

(c) Upon the occurrence of any termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the
Executive shall and shall be deemed to immediately resign from any membership on the Board and from
any committees thereof (and the Executive shall promptly tender to the Board a written resignation
letter effecting the foregoing).

 

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7. Severance Payments and Benefits.

(a) Termination for any Reason. In the event the Executive’s employment with the
Company is terminated for any reason, as soon as reasonably practicable after such termination the
Company shall pay the Executive (or his beneficiary in the event of his death) a lump sum equal to
any unpaid Annual Base Salary that has accrued as of the Date of Termination, any unreimbursed
expenses due to the Executive, and an amount for any accrued but unused vacation days and any
earned but unpaid Bonus for any fiscal year of the Company completed prior to the date of such
termination. The Executive shall also be entitled to accrued, vested benefits under the Company’s
benefit plans and programs as provided therein. The Executive shall be entitled to the cash
severance payments described below only as set forth herein, and the provisions of this Section 7
shall supersede in their entirety any severance payment provisions in any severance plan, policy,
program or arrangement maintained by the Company.

(b) Terminations without Cause or for Good Reason. Except as otherwise provided by
Section 7(c) with respect to certain terminations of employment after a Change in Control, if the
Executive’s employment shall terminate without Cause (pursuant to Section 6(a)(v)), or for Good
Reason (pursuant to Section 6(a)(iv)), the Company shall (subject to the Executive’s entering into
a General Release with the Company in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A
(the “Release”)):

(i) Pay to the Executive as severance an amount equal to the
Executive’s then current Annual Base Salary in equal monthly installments during the period
beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the first anniversary thereof; provided,
however, that no amount shall be payable on or following the date the Executive first (i) breaches
any of the covenants set forth in Sections 9(a) or 9(b) or (ii) materially breaches any of the
covenants set forth in Section 9(c) or 9(e), which is not remedied (if remediable) within 30 days
after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying the breach;

(ii) Continue to provide, at the Company’s expense, the Executive
(and his eligible dependents) with the medical, dental and life insurance coverage in which he (or
his eligible dependents) was participating as of the Date of Termination (at a level then in effect
with respect to coverage and employee premiums) until the first anniversary of the Date of
Termination; and

(iii) Pay to the Executive a Pro-Rata Bonus, as defined in Section 7(d), when bonuses are
paid for the year of termination.

(c) Certain Terminations after a Change in Control. If the Executive’s employment
shall terminate without Cause (pursuant to Section 6(a)(v)) or for Good Reason (pursuant to Section
6(a)(iv)) after a Change in Control, in any such case, the Company shall (subject to the
Executive’s entering into the Release):

(i) Pay to the Executive an amount equal to the Executive’s then
current Annual Base Salary; payable in cash in a lump sum as soon as reasonably practicable after
such termination of employment but in no event later than five (5) business days thereafter;

 

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(ii) Continue to provide, at the Company’s expense, the Executive
(and his eligible dependents) with the medical, dental and life insurance coverage in which he (or
his dependents) was participating as of the Date of Termination (at a level then in effect with
respect to coverage and employee premiums) until the first anniversary of the Date of Termination;
and

(iii) Pay Executive a Pro-Rata Bonus, as defined in Section 7(d), when bonuses are paid
for the year of termination; and

(iv) all Restricted Stock, Options and other equity compensation awards then held by the
Executive shall become fully vested, free from restriction and/or exercisable for the balance of
their respective terms with respect to all shares subject thereto; and

(v) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties acknowledge and
agree that Sections 7(b) and 7(c) shall operate in the alternative and that any payments and
benefits that the Executive shall be entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7(c) in
connection with a termination of his employment and the subsequent occurrence of a Change in
Control shall be offset by payments and benefits received by the Executive pursuant to Section 7(b)
on or prior to the effective date of such Change in Control.

(d) Termination by Reason of Disability or Death. If the Executive’s employment shall
terminate by reason of his Disability (pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii)) or death (pursuant to Section
6(a)(i)), then the Company shall pay to the Executive (or Executive’s estate) when bonuses are paid
for the year of termination a pro-rated amount of the Executive’s Bonus for the fiscal year in
which the Date of Termination occurs equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Bonus the
Executive would have otherwise earned had he been employed by the Company on the last day of the
fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs and (ii) the ratio of (A) the number of days
elapsed during such fiscal year prior to the Date of Termination to (B) 365 (the “Pro-Rata Bonus”),
and provide the Executive (and his eligible dependents), as applicable, with the continued health
coverage described in Section 7(b)(ii).

(e) Survival. The expiration or termination of the Term shall not impair the rights or
obligations of any party hereto which shall have accrued hereunder prior to such expiration.

(f) No Mitigation/Set-Off. The Executive shall have no obligation to mitigate any
payments due hereunder. Any amounts earned by the Executive from other employment shall not offset
amounts due hereunder, except as provided in this Section 7. The Company’s obligation to pay the
Executive the amounts provided hereunder shall not be subject to set-off, counterclaim or
recoupment of amounts owed by the Executive to the Company or its affiliates,
except (i) as provided by Section 7 and/or (ii) for any specific, stated amounts owed by the
Executive to the Company as evidenced by a writing signed by the Executive.

 

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8. [Intentionally omitted]

9. Certain Restrictive Covenants.

(a) The Executive shall not, at any time during the Term or during the 12- month period
following the Date of Termination (the “Non-Compete Term”) without the Board’s prior written
consent directly or indirectly engage in, have any equity interest in, or manage or operate
(whether as a director, officer, employee, agent, representative, security holder, consultant or
otherwise) any Competitive Business; provided, however, that: (x) the Executive shall be permitted
to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a Competitive Business provided the stock or
other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in
such a Competitive Business; (y) the Executive shall be permitted to acquire any investment through
a mutual fund, private equity fund or other pooled account that is not controlled by the Executive
and which he has less than a five percent (5%) interest; or (z) the Executive may provide services
to a subsidiary, division or Affiliate of a Competitive Business if such subsidiary, division or
Affiliate is not itself engaged in a Competitive Business and the Executive does not provide
services to, or have any responsibilities regarding, the Competitive Business. At any time during
the Non-Compete Term following the Date of Termination, the Executive may request in writing to the
Board that the Board consent to the Executive’s direct or indirect engagement in, ownership of
equity interest in, or management or operation of (whether as a director, officer, employee, agent,
representative, security holder, consultant or otherwise) any Competitive Business, which request
the Board shall consider in good faith based upon the Board’s reasonable determination of the
potential impact of the Executive’s involvement in such Competitive Business on the Company and its
stockholders. If the Executive believes that the Board would benefit from any additional
information or if the Executive has any issues or questions regarding any action taken or to be
taken by the Board in connection with this Section 9(a), then the Board and the Executive (along
with their respective representatives) shall meet and discuss any such issues or questions, and the
Executive shall be permitted to present the Board with any relevant information that he deems
appropriate. The Board and the Executive shall act in good faith to address all outstanding issues
and questions while protecting the interests of the Company and its stockholders.

(b) During the 12 month period following the Date of Termination, the Executive shall not,
directly or indirectly (a) recruit, hire or otherwise solicit any person employed by the Company,
its subsidiaries, or any of their respective Affiliates as of the Termination Date, (b) recruit,
hire or otherwise solicit for employment any person known by the Executive (after reasonable
inquiry) to be employed at the time by the Company, its subsidiaries, or any of their respective
Affiliates as of the date of the solicitation, (c) recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any
non-clerical employee, director, consultant, wholesale customer, vendor, supplier, lessor or lessee
of the Company to terminate his or its employment or arrangement with the Company or otherwise
change its relationship with the Company, provided that nothing in
this Section 9(b) shall prohibit the Executive from providing employment, personal or other
references for any such Person or general advertising for employees by the Executive or any
Person of which the Executive is an employee or Affiliate.

 

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(c) Except as the Executive deems necessary (or, in good faith, desirable) to be
disclosed in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder or as specifically
set forth in this Section 9, the Executive shall, in perpetuity, maintain in confidence and shall
not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for his
benefit or the benefit of any person, firm, corporation or other entity any confidential or
proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company, including, without
limitation, information with respect to the Company’s operations, processes, products, inventions,
business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers,
marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, business plans,
designs, marketing or other business strategies, compensation paid to employees or other terms of
employment, or deliver to any person, firm, corporation or other entity any document, record,
notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or
proprietary information or trade secrets. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing
shall prohibit the Executive from disclosing any information that is (i) generally known by the
public (unless such knowledge occurs as a result of the Executive’s breach of any portion of this
Section 9(c)), (ii) when disclosure is required by law or by any court, arbitrator, mediator or
administrative or legislative body (including any committee thereof) with apparent jurisdiction to
order the Executive to disclose or make accessible any information, provided that, unless otherwise
prohibited by law and provided such information is not related to any illegal activities of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, the Executive shall provide the Company with prompt notice of
any such requested or required disclosure and shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in any
effort by the Company to prevent or otherwise contest such disclosure or (iii) with respect to any
other litigation, arbitration or mediation involving this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
the enforcement of this Agreement. The parties hereby stipulate and agree that as between them the
foregoing matters are important, material and confidential proprietary information and trade
secrets and affect the successful conduct of the businesses of the Company (and any successor or
assignee of the Company). Upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any
reason, the Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all correspondence, drawings, manuals,
letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other
documents concerning the Company’s customers, business plans, designs, marketing or other business
strategies, products or processes, provided that the Executive may retain (i) papers and other
materials of a personal nature, including, but not limited to, photographs, correspondence,
personal diaries, calendars and rolodexes, personal files and phone books, (ii) information showing
his compensation or relating to reimbursement of expenses, (iii) information that he reasonably
believes may be needed for tax purposes, (iv) copies of plans, programs and agreements relating to
his employment, or termination thereof, with the Company and (v) copies of minutes, presentation
materials and personal notes from any meeting of the Board, or any committee thereof, while he was
a member of
the Board.

 

12

 

(d) The Executive shall reasonably cooperate with and assist the Company and its counsel at
any time and in any manner reasonably required by the Company or its counsel (with due regard for
the Executive’s other commitments if he is not employed by the Company) in connection with any
litigation or other legal process affecting the Company of which the Executive has knowledge as a
result of his employment with the Company (other than any litigation with respect to this
Agreement). In any event, (i) in any matter subject to this Section 9(d), the Executive shall not
be required to act against the best interests of any new employer or new business venture in which
he is a partner or active participant and (ii) any request for such cooperation shall take into
account (A) the significance of the matters at issue in the litigation, arbitration, proceeding or
investigation and (B) the Executive’s other personal and business commitments. The Company agrees
to provide the Executive reasonable notice in the event his assistance is required. The Company
will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses and costs he may incur as a result of
providing such assistance, including lost wages (after the Term), travel costs and legal fees to
the extent the Executive reasonably believes that separate representation is warranted. The
Executive’s entitlement to reimbursement of expenses, including legal fees pursuant to this Section
9(d), shall in no way affect the Executive’s rights to be indemnified and/or advanced expenses in
accordance with the Company’s corporate documents, insurance policies and/or in accordance with
this Agreement.

(e) The Executive shall not intentionally disparage the Company, any of its products or
practices, or any of its directors, officers, or employees, whether orally, in writing or
otherwise, at any time. The Company (including without limitation its directors) shall not
intentionally disparage the Executive, whether orally, in writing or otherwise, at any time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing: nothing in this Section 9(e) shall (i) limit the ability of the
Company or the Executive, as applicable, to provide truthful testimony as required by law or any
judicial or administrative process or the Executive from making normal commercial competitive type
statements in a competitive business situation not based on his employment with the Company, or
(ii) prevent any Person from (x) responding publicly to incorrect, disparaging or derogatory public
statements to the extent reasonably necessary to correct or refute such public statement or (y)
making any truthful statement to the extent necessary in any litigation, arbitration or mediation
proceeding involving this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the enforcement of this
Agreement. In no event shall any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or the
Executive for any reason constitute disparagement for purposes of this Section 9(e).

(f) The Executive agrees that all strategies, methods, processes, techniques, marketing plans,
merchandising schemes, themes, layouts, mechanicals, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks,
patents, ideas, specifications and other material or work product (“Intellectual Property”) that
the Executive creates, develops or assembles in connection with his employment hereunder shall
become the permanent and exclusive property of the Company to be used in any manner it sees fit, in
its sole discretion. The Executive shall not communicate to the Company any ideas, concepts, or
other intellectual property of any kind (other than that required in his capacity as an officer of
the Company) which (i) were earlier communicated to the Executive in confidence by any third party
as proprietary information, or (ii) the Executive knows or has reason to know is the proprietary information of any third party. All Intellectual
Property created or assembled in connection with the Executive’s employment hereunder shall be the
permanent and exclusive property of the Company. The Company and the Executive mutually agree that
all Intellectual Property and work product created in connection with this Agreement, which is
subject to copyright, shall be deemed to be “work made for hire,” and that all rights to copyrights
shall be vested in the Company. If for any reason the Company cannot be deemed to have commissioned
“work made for hire,” and its rights to copyright are thereby in doubt, then the Executive agrees
not to claim to be the proprietor of the work prepared for the Company, and to irrevocably assign
to the Company, at the Company’s expense, all rights in the copyright of the work prepared for the
Company.

 

13

 

(g) The Company and the Executive expressly acknowledge and agree that the agreements
and covenants contained in this Section 9 are reasonable. In the event, however, that any agreement
or covenant contained in this Section 9 shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction
to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great a period of time or over too great a
geographical area or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, it will be
interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable, and/or
over the maximum geographical area as to which it may be enforceable and/or to the maximum extent
in all other respects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by such court in such
action.

(h) As used in this Section 9, the term “Company” shall include the Company and any of
its direct or indirect subsidiaries within the meaning of Code Section 424(f).

(i) Any limitation on the Executive’s activities or any forfeiture of benefits, equity
or compensation based on violation of limitations on the Executive’s activities shall not be based
on any limitation that is any broader than those set forth in this Section 9.

10. Specific Performance. It is recognized and acknowledged by the Executive and
the Company that a breach by such Person of such Person’s covenants contained in Section 9
will cause irreparable damage to the Company or the Executive, as applicable, and its or his
goodwill or reputation, the exact amount of which will be difficult or impossible to
ascertain, and
that the remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate. Accordingly, the parties
agree that in the event a party breaches any covenant contained in Section 9, in addition to any
other remedy which may be available at law or in equity (or under any other agreement between the
Company and the Executive), the other party will be entitled to specific performance and
injunctive relief.

11. Purchases and Sales of the Company’s Securities. The Executive agrees to use
his reasonable best efforts to comply in all respects with the Company’s applicable written
policies regarding the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities by employees, as such
written policies may be amended from time to time and disclosed to the Executive. In
particular, and without limitation, the Executive agrees that he shall not purchase or sell Company
securities while an employee during any “trading blackout period” as may be determined by the Company
and set forth in the Company’s applicable written policies from time to time.

 

14

 

12. Cooperation Regarding Insurance. The Company and/or any of its subsidiaries, divisions or Affiliates may, from time to time, apply for and obtain, for its or
their benefit and at its or their sole expense, key man life, health, accident, disability, or other insurance upon the Executive, in any amounts that it or they may deem necessary or desirable
to protect its or their respective interests, and the Executive agrees to reasonably cooperate
with and assist the Company or any such subsidiary, division or Affiliate in obtaining any and all such
insurance by submitting to all reasonable medical examinations, if any, and by filling out,
executing and delivering any and all insurance applications and other instruments as may be
reasonably necessary to obtain such insurance.

13. Representations.

(a) The Executive hereby represents and warrants, to the best of his knowledge,
that he is not a party to or bound by any agreement, arrangement or understanding, written or otherwise, which prohibits or in any manner restricts his ability to enter into and
fulfill his obligations under this Agreement (other than confidentiality obligations with any of the
Executive’s prior employers). The parties acknowledge and agree that the Executive shall not
use of disclose, or be permitted to use or disclose, any confidential or proprietary
information belonging to any prior employer in connection with the performance of his duties under this
Agreement.

(b) The Company represents and warrants that (i) it is fully authorized by
action of the Board and of any Person whose action is required to enter into this Agreement
and perform its obligations; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by it
does not and will not violate any applicable law, regulation, order, judgment or decree or any
agreement, plan or corporate governance document to which it is a party or by which it is
bound; and (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties, this Agreement
shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms.

14. Delegation and Assignment. The Executive shall not delegate his employment
obligations under this Agreement to any other person. The Company may not assign any of its
obligations hereunder other than to any entity that acquires (by purchase, merger or
otherwise) all or substantially all of the Voting Stock or assets of the Company, provided such acquirer
promptly assumes all of the obligations hereunder of the Company in a writing delivered to the
Executive. In the event of the Executive’s death while he is receiving severance hereunder the
remainder shall be paid to his estate. In the event of a merger or other combination, or the
sale or liquidation of business and assets, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
such assignee or transferee to promptly and expressly assume the liabilities, obligations and
duties of the Company hereunder.

 

15

 

15. Notices. Any written notice required by this Agreement will be deemed provided
and delivered to the intended recipient when (a) delivered in person by hand; or (b) three (3)
days after being sent via U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested; or (c) one (1) day
after being sent via by overnight courier, in each case when such notice is properly addressed
to the following address and with all postage and similar fees having been paid in advance:

If to the Company:

Monster Worldwide, Inc.
 622
Third Avenue 
New York, New
York 10017 
Attn: General
Counsel

with a copy to:

Dechert LLP

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112

Attn: Martin Nussbaum, Esq.

If to the Executive: to him at the most recent address in the Company’s records.

Either party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other communications to
such party shall be delivered personally or mailed by giving written notice to the other party in
the manner described above.

16. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be for the benefit of and binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, legal representatives,
successors and, where applicable, permitted assigns.

17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and any indemnification agreement between
the Executive and the Company constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect
to the subject matter described in this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements,
understandings and arrangements, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to
such subject matter. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or rescinded in any
manner, except by written instrument signed by both of the parties hereto; provided, however,
that the waiver by either party of a breach or compliance with any provision of this Agreement
shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or compliance.

18. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall
be held by any court of competent jurisdiction or any arbitrator selected in accordance with
the terms hereof to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall have
no force and effect, but such holding shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability
of any other provision of this Agreement; provided, however, that subsequent to the severing of such
provision from this Agreement, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend this
Agreement to contain an enforceable provision (if at all possible) representing the intent of the
parties with respect to such severed provision.

 

16

 

19. Dispute
Resolution and Arbitration. In the event that any dispute
arises between the Company and the Executive regarding or relating to this Agreement and/or any
aspect of the Executive’s employment relationship with the Company, AND IN LIEU OF
LITIGATION AND A TRIAL BY JURY, the parties consent to resolve such dispute through
mandatory arbitration in New York City under the then prevailing rules of the Judicial
Arbitration and Mediation Services (“JAMS”), before a single arbitrator mutually agreed to by
the parties, or, if an arbitrator has not been agreed upon by the 60th day of the demand for
arbitration by either party, appointed by JAMS. The parties hereby consent to the entry of
judgment upon award rendered by the arbitrator in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, should adequate grounds exist for seeking immediate
injunctive or immediate equitable relief, any party may seek and obtain such relief. The
parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction in the state and Federal courts of or in the
State of New York for purposes of seeking such injunctive or equitable relief as set forth above. The
parties acknowledge and agree that, in connection with any such arbitration and regardless of
outcome, (a) each party shall pay all of its own costs and expenses, including without
limitation its own legal fees and expenses, and (b) joint expenses shall be borne equally among the
parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the arbitrator may cause the losing party to pay to the winning
party (each as determined by the arbitrator consistent with its decision on the merits of the
arbitration) an amount equal to any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by
the winning party with respect to such arbitration (as may be equitably determined by the
arbitrator).

20. Choice
of Law. The Executive and the Company intend and hereby acknowledge
that jurisdiction over disputes with regard to this Agreement, and over all aspects of the
relationship between the parties hereto, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New
York without giving effect to its rules governing conflicts of laws.

21. Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any manner the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.

22. Construction. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship
of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign
statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
unless the context requires otherwise. The word “including” shall mean including without limitation.
If any provision of any agreement, plan, program, policy, arrangement or other written document
between or relating to the Company and the Executive conflicts with any provision of this
Agreement, the provision of this Agreement shall control and prevail, unless the parties
otherwise agree with specific reference to this Section 22.

 

17

 

23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by facsimile or pdf, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

24. Force
Majeure. Neither Company nor the Executive shall be liable for any delay
or failure in performance of any part of this Agreement to the extent that such delay or
failure is caused by an event beyond its reasonable control including, but not be limited to, fire,
flood, explosion, war, strike, embargo, government requirement, acts of civil or military authority,
and acts of God not resulting from the negligence of the claiming party.

25. Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local or foreign withholding or other taxes
or charges which the Company is required to withhold pursuant to applicable law. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or
requirement of withholding shall arise.

26. Code
Section 409A. The parties understand and agree that certain payments contemplated by this Agreement may be “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section
409A. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments
constituting deferred compensation required to be made upon or in respect of the Executive’s
termination of employment hereunder shall not be made prior to the first day of the seventh
month after the Executive’s termination of employment, to the extent necessary to comply with
Code Section 409A(2)(B)(i). The Company shall identify in writing delivered to the Executive
any payments it reasonably determines are subject to delay under this Section 26 and shall
promptly pay any such amounts, without interest, at the conclusion of the applicable six month
period (or, if later, when scheduled to be paid under the terms of the Agreement). No deferred
compensation payable hereunder shall be subject to acceleration or to any change in the
specified time or method of payment, except as otherwise provided under this Agreement and consistent
with Code Section 409A. If any compensation or benefits provided by this Agreement may
result in the application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall, in consultation and
agreement with the Executive, modify this Agreement in the least restrictive manner necessary
in order to exclude such compensation from the definition of “deferred compensation” within the
meaning of such Code Section 409A or in order to comply with the provisions of Code Section
409A, other applicable provision(s) of the Code and/or any rules, regulations or other
regulatory guidance issued under such statutory provisions. The parties also agree that all amounts
required to be paid hereunder to the Executive or his estate or beneficiaries shall, notwithstanding
any other provision in this Agreement required such amounts to be paid at a different time, be
paid by no later than the latest date by which such amounts would have to be paid in order not to
be treated under Code Section 409A as includible in gross income for any tax year earlier than
the tax year in which such payment otherwise was scheduled to be made under the terms of this
Agreement.

27. Survivorship. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, to the
extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties hereunder, the respective rights
and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of the Executive’s
employment.

 

18

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first
above written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Salvatore Iannuzzi
 	 
	 	 	Salvatore Iannuzzi 	 
	 	 	Its: Chairman of the Board and

       Chief Executive Officer 	 
	 
	 	EXECUTIVE

 	 
	 	/s/ Lise Poulos
 	 
	 	Lise Poulos 	 
	 	 	 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

EXHIBIT A

General Release

IN CONSIDERATION OF good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, and in consideration of the terms and conditions contained in the
Employment Agreement, dated as of September        , 2007, (the “Agreement”) by and between
Lise Poulos (the “Executive”) and Monster Worldwide, Inc. (the “Company”), the Executive on behalf
of himself and his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, releases and discharges the
Company and its past present and future subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and parents, and their
respective current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, and/or owners, and their
respective successors, and assigns and any other person or entity claimed to be jointly or
severally liable with the Company or any of the aforementioned persons or entities (the “Released
Parties”) from any and all manner of actions and causes of action, suits, debts, dues, accounts,
bonds, covenants, contracts, agreements, judgments, charges, claims, and demands whatsoever
(“Losses”) which the Executive and his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns have, had, or
may hereafter have, against the Released Parties or any of them arising out of or by reason of any
cause, matter, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world to the date hereof, including
without limitation, any and all matters relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company and
the cessation thereof, and any and all matters arising under any federal, state, or local statute,
rule, or regulation, or principle of contract law or common law, including but not limited to, the
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, 29 U.S.C.
§§ 2601 et seq., Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
§§ 2000 et seq., the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C.
§§ 621 et seq. (the “ADEA”), the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42
U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as
amended, 29 U.S.C. §§2101 et seq.,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 et seq.,
the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws, the New York Labor Laws, and any other
equivalent or similar federal, state, or local statute; provided, however, that the Executive does
not release or discharge the Released Parties from any of the Company’s obligations to him under
the Agreement, any vested benefit the Executive may be due under a tax qualified plan sponsored or
maintained by the Company or Losses arising under the ADEA which arise after the date on which the
Executive executes this general release. It is understood that nothing in this general release is
to be construed as an admission on behalf of the Released Parties of any wrongdoing with respect to
the Executive, any such wrongdoing being expressly denied.

The Executive represents and warrants that he fully understands the terms of this general
release, that he has been encouraged to seek, and has sought, the benefit of advice of legal
counsel, and that he knowingly and voluntarily, of his own free will, without any duress, being
fully informed, and after due deliberation, accepts its terms and signs below as his own free act.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Executive understands that as a result of executing this
general release, he will not have the right to assert that the Company or any other of the Released
Parties unlawfully terminated his employment or violated any of his rights in connection with his
employment or otherwise.

 

20

 

The Executive further represents and warrants that he has not filed, and will not
initiate, or cause to be initiated on his behalf any complaint, charge, claim, or proceeding
against any of the Released Parties before any federal, state, or local agency, court, or other
body relating to any claims barred or released in this General Release thereof, and will not
voluntarily participate in such a proceeding. However, nothing in this general release shall
preclude or prevent the Executive from filing a claim, which challenges the validity of this
general release solely with respect to the Executive’s waiver of any Losses arising under the ADEA.
The Executive shall not accept any relief obtained on his behalf by any government agency, private
party, class, or otherwise with respect to any claims covered by this General Release.

The Executive may take twenty-one (21) days to consider whether to execute this General
Release. Upon the Executive’s execution of this general release, the Executive will have seven (7)
days after such execution in which he may revoke such execution. In the event of revocation, the
Executive must present written notice of such revocation to the office of the Company’s Corporate
Secretary. If seven (7) days pass without receipt of such notice of revocation, this General
Release shall become binding and effective on the eighth (8th) day after the execution hereof (the
“Effective Date”).

INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, I hereby set my hand below:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Dated:
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 

 

21

 

SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE AMENDMENT

TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Agreement is entered into as of January 1, 2009, by and between Monster Worldwide, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Lise Poulos (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive previously entered into an Employment Agreement, dated
September 7, 2007 (the “Agreement”), which Agreement may be amended by a written instrument
executed by both parties; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend the Agreement to comply in all
respects with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable
regulations thereunder (the “Code”):

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree to amend the Agreement as follows,
effective January 1, 2009; provided, however, that any provision below required to apply as of a
date prior to January 1, 2009 in order for the Agreement to comply with Code Section 409A shall be
effective as of such earlier date:

1. Termination of Employment. Where the Agreement refers to the Executive’s
termination of employment for purposes of receiving any payment, whether such a termination
has occurred will be determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
and applicable regulations thereunder, generally described (as currently in effect) in Exhibit A.

2. Timing of Payments. Where the Agreement requires the following payments to
be made to the Executive, the following rules shall apply, and any inconsistent provision in
the Agreement shall be superseded:

	 	(a)	 	To the extent that the Agreement requires that a payment shall be made upon or
as soon as reasonably practicable after an event (e.g., termination of employment),
such payment shall be made no later than 90 days after the occurrence of such
event (or, if earlier, within 21/2 months following the end of
the Executive’s taxable year in which such event occurs). The Executive may not designate the
taxable year of such payment.
	 
	 	(b)	 	To the extent that any payment in the Agreement is contingent upon the
Executive entering into a separation and release agreement with the Company, the Executive
shall sign and return the separation and release agreement within the reasonable
time period designated by the Company, in order to assure that payment shall be
made within the time period set forth in paragraph (a) above but not prior to
expiration of any period specified for revocation of such Agreement by the
Executive.
	 
	 	(c)	 	To the extent that the Agreement provides for the reimbursement of specified
expenses incurred by the Executive, such reimbursement shall be made in
accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, but in no event later than the
last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the
expense was incurred. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or
in-kind benefits provided by the Company in any taxable year of the Executive shall
not affect the amount of expenses or in-kind benefits to be reimbursed or provided
in any other year (except in the case of maximum benefits to be provided under a
medical reimbursement arrangement, if applicable).

 

 

 

	 	(d)	 	Annual bonus otherwise payable under the Agreement after the end of a bonus
plan performance period shall be paid within 21/2 months after
the end of the fiscal year of the Company to which such bonus relates.

3. Good
Reason. Section 1(q) of the Agreement is modified to provide that Good
Reason under paragraph (i) thereof shall not be triggered by a promotion to a superior
position
consistent with the Executive’s career path, or a change in title consistent with the
Executive’s
then-current position.

4. Change in Control. Section 7(c) of the Agreement, relating to certain
terminations in connection with Change in Control, is hereby amended so that the provision
requiring the payment of severance under Section 7(c)(i) in a single lump sum will apply
solely to the extent that the Change in Control as defined in Section
1(f) is also a “Section 409A
Change in Control.” A “Section 409A Change in Control” has the meaning assigned in Section
1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Final Regulations under Code Section 409A, generally described (as
currently in effect) in Exhibit A.

Section 7(c) of the Agreement is hereby further amended so that, in the event of a covered
Termination of Employment in connection with a Change in Control other than a Section 409A Change
in Control (as defined above), the amount otherwise payable under Section 7(c)(i) will be paid in
equal monthly installments as described in Section 7(b)(i) of the Agreement. In such event,
immediately prior to the occurrence or consummation of any transaction that could constitute or
result in a Change in Control other than a Section 409A Change in Control, the Company shall
establish at its cost and expense an irrevocable grantor trust described in Revenue Procedure
92-64, 1992-2 C.B. 422 (sometimes known as a “rabbi trust”) with an institution and pursuant to an
agreement as shall be mutually acceptable to the Company and the Executive, which trust agreement
shall provide for the payment of any amounts, at the times and under the circumstances that amounts
may thereafter be payable as provided in this paragraph, and simultaneously with the occurrence or
consummation of the transaction constituting the Change in Control (other than a Section 409A
Change in Control) the Company shall transfer to the institution serving as trustee of such trust
an amount equal to the amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 7(c)(i).

 

2

 

5. Section 409A Compliance. Section 26 of the Agreement, relating to Code Section
409A compliance is amended to state as follows:

26. Code Section 409A. Payments in respect of the Executive’s Termination of
Employment under Section 7 of the Agreement are designated as separate payments for
purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(b)(4)(i)(F) and the exemption for involuntary terminations under separation pay
plans under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). As a result, (a) any payments
that become vested as a result of the Executive’s Termination of Employment under Section 7
that are made on or before the 15th day of the third month of the calendar year following the
calendar year of the Executive’s Termination of Employment, and (b) any additional payments that
are made on or before the last day of the second calendar year following the year of the
Executive’s Termination of Employment and do not exceed the lesser of two times Base Salary or two
times the limit under Code Section 401(a)(17) then in effect, and (c) the payment of medical
expenses within the applicable COBRA period, are exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A.
If the Executive is designated as a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A
(and Company is publicly traded on any securities market), to the extent that any deferred
compensation payments to be made during the first six month period following Executive’s
termination of employment exceed such exempt amounts, the payments shall be withheld and the amount
of the payments withheld will be paid in a lump sum, without interest, during the seventh month
after Executive’s termination; provided, however, that if the Executive dies prior to the
expiration of such six month period, payment to the Executive’s beneficiary shall be made as soon
as practicable following the Executive’s death. The Company shall identify in writing delivered to
the Executive any payments it reasonably determines are subject to delay under this Section 26. In
no event shall the Company have any liability or obligation with respect to taxes for which the
Executive may become liable as a result of the application of Code Section 409A.

 

3

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment on or prior to December
31, 2008, as of the date and year first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/
Salvatore Iannuzzi
 	 
	 	 	Its: Chairman of the Board, President and 	 
	 	 	      Chief Executive Officer 	 
	 
	 	EXECUTIVE

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/
Lise Poulos
 	  12/31/08

 

4

 

EXHIBIT
A TO

 SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE AMENDMENT

TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Addendum to Paragraph 1 Regarding Termination of Employment

	 	(a)	 	The Executive shall not be treated as having incurred a voluntary termination
of employment while on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of
absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so
long as the Executive’s right to reemployment with the Company is provided
either by statute or by contract. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the
right to reemployment is not provided either by statute or by contract, the
employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first date immediately
following such six-month period.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Whether the Executive shall have incurred a termination of employment shall be
determined based on all relevant facts and circumstances. In situations in which
the Executive continues to be carried on the payroll of the Company but performs
only nominal services, or ceases to be an employee but continues to provide
substantial services in another capacity, such as pursuant to a consulting
agreement, the determination of whether a termination of employment has
occurred shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii), or any successor thereto.
	 
	 	(c)	 	For additional information, see Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

Addendum to Paragraph 4 Regarding Change in Control

	 	(a)	 	any person or group acquires stock of the Company that, together with stock
held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value
or total voting power of the stock of the Company. However, if any person or
group is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total
voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by
the same person or group is not considered to cause a Change in Control of the
Company. An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any person or group
as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires its stock in exchange
for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this
subsection. This subsection applies only when there is a transfer of stock of the
Company (or issuance of stock of the Company) and stock in the Company
remains outstanding after the transaction;
	 
	 	(b)	 	any person or group acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending
on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group) ownership of
stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the
stock of the Company;

 

5

 

	 	(c)	 	a majority of members of the Company’s Board is replaced during any 12-month
period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority
of the members of the Company’s Board prior to the date of the appointment or
election; or
	 
	 	(d)	 	any person or group acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending
on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group) assets from the
Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of
the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately
prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value
means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being
disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such
assets. However, no Change in Control shall be deemed to occur under this
subsection (d) as a result of a transfer to:

	 	(i)	 	A shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in
exchange for or with respect to its stock;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	An entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is
owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	A person or group that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the
total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; or
	 
	 	(iv)	 	An entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is
owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in clause (iii) above.

For additional information, see Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

6Exhibit 10.22

Exhibit 10.22

EXECUTION VERSION

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 28, 2010 (this
“Amendment”), to the Existing Credit Agreement (such capitalized term and other capitalized
terms used in this preamble and the recitals below to have the meanings set forth in, or are
defined by reference in, Article I below) is made by MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”) and the Lenders party hereto.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company, the Lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, are all
parties to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2009 (as amended or
otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”, and as
amended by this Amendment and as the same may be further amended, supplemented, amended and
restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Lenders amend certain provisions of the Existing
Credit Agreement, and the Lenders are willing to effect such amendments, on the terms and subject
to the conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. Certain Definitions. The following terms when used in this Amendment
shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and
plural forms thereof):

“Amendment” is defined in the preamble.

“Amendment Effective Date” is defined in Article III.

“Company” is defined in the preamble.

“Credit Agreement” is defined in the first recital.

“Existing Credit Agreement” is defined in the first recital.

SECTION 1.2. Other Definitions. Terms for which meanings are provided in the
Credit Agreement are, unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, used in
this Amendment with such meanings.

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Subject to the occurrence of the Amendment Effective Date, Section 7.02 of the Existing Credit
Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the first paragraph of clause (f) thereof in
its entirety to read as follows:

(f) the purchase or other acquisition of (i) all of the Equity
Interests in, or all or substantially all of the property of, any Person
that, upon the consummation thereof, will be wholly-owned directly by the
Company or one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, or (ii) some or all
of the assets of any Person or Persons that, collectively and as a whole,
constitute all or substantially all of a single business line, unit or
division of such Person’s or Persons’ consolidated corporate family
(including, in any case, as a result of a merger or consolidation); provided
that, with respect to each purchase or other acquisition made pursuant to
this Section 7.02(f):

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

This Amendment shall become effective on the date first written above (the “Amendment
Effective Date”) following receipt by the Administrative Agent of counterparts hereof executed
on behalf of the Company and the Required Lenders.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 4.1. Cross-References. References in this Amendment to any Article or
Section are, unless otherwise specified, to such Article or Section of this Amendment.

SECTION 4.2. Loan Document Pursuant to Existing Credit Agreement. This Amendment
is a Loan Document executed pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and shall (unless
otherwise expressly indicated therein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with
all of the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, including
Article X thereof.

SECTION 4.3. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 4.4. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by
different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an

 

 

 

original,
but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Amendment
constitutes the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the
subject matter hereof. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this
Amendment by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a
manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

SECTION 4.5. Governing Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 4.6. Full Force and Effect; Limited Amendment. Except as expressly
amended hereby, all of the representations, warranties, terms, covenants, conditions and other
provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged
and shall continue to be, and shall remain, in full force and effect in accordance with their
respective terms. The amendments set forth herein shall be limited precisely as provided for
herein to the provisions expressly amended herein and shall not be deemed to be an amendment to,
waiver of, consent to or modification of any other term or provision of the Existing Credit
Agreement or any other Loan Document or of any transaction or further or future action on the
part of any Loan Party which would require the consent of the Lenders under the Existing Credit
Agreement or any of the Loan Documents.

SECTION 4.7. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the Lenders to
execute and deliver this Amendment, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders
that, both before and after giving effect to this Amendment, all statements set forth in clauses
(a) and (b) of Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement are true and correct.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Amendment as of the
date first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Timothy T. Yates
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Timothy T. Yates 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Chief Financial Officer 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Acknowledged by

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Steven J. Melicharek
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Steven Melicharek 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Senior Vice President 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Steven J. Melicharek
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Steven Melicharek 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Senior Vice President 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Ann B. Kerns
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ann B. Kerns 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Jeff Kalinowski
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Jeff Kalinowski 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Senior Vice President 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Fifth Third Bank,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ George B. Davis
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	George B. Davis 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Company,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Kenneth Egusa
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ken Egusa 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Citibank, N.A.,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Ross Levitsky
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ross Levitsky 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Managing Director

National Corporate Banking 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ William M. Ginn
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	William M. Ginn 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Officer 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Toronto Dominion (Texas) llc,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Ian Murray
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ian Murray 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Authorized Signatory 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ.)

New York Branch,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Anders Abelson
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Anders Abelson 	 
	 	 	Title:  	VP 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	                                              /s/ Richard Johnson
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Richard Johnson 	 
	 	 	Title:  	SVP 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

as a Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Andreas Neumeier
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Andreas Neumeier 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Managing Director 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	                                              /s/ Anca Trifan
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Anca Trifan 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Director

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