I’ve been with Criteo for quite a while, and it’s disheartening to see how far the company has fallen.
Uninspired leadership: Over the past four years, the leadership team has failed to diversify our revenue streams. With cookie deprecation on the horizon, Criteo is a ship steadily sinking. Leadership struggles to articulate the company’s strategy, and our 2024 goals are vague, not tied to measurable results, and painfully generic. Gone are the days when our stock price was over $70 and our European leadership team could inspire and motivate. Now, the only consistent action from leadership is the annual global layoff. The latest round in 2024 didn’t even boost our stock price, reflecting the market’s dim view of our future.
Ineffective middle management: Middle managers have no real decision-making power and serve merely as placeholders. Their presence feels redundant and contributes little to the company’s progress.
Horrendous IT services: We used to have a fantastic internal IT team, but they were laid off. Now, IT services are outsourced abroad, leading to endless frustrations and inefficiencies. Good luck getting any issues resolved promptly.
Awful workplace vibe: The current atmosphere is dreadful. Everyone is demoralized and trying to avoid attention, hoping they won’t be next on the chopping block.
Leadership uncertainty: Leadership openly admits they don’t know what will happen post-cookie deprecation, and no one feels safe. This admission does nothing to instill confidence or stability.
Lack of career advancement: For those in slightly unconventional roles, career advancement is a myth. Some employees have remained in the same position for a decade because HR either can’t or won’t figure out an organizational chart for unique roles.
Reversing remote work policies: During the pandemic, Criteo announced permanent WFH options. Now, there’s pressure to return to the office, which is especially tough for those who moved farther away and now face long commutes.
The leadership team’s inability to adapt and lead effectively has left Criteo in a precarious position. The lack of direction, poor management, and declining morale make it hard to see a bright future for the company. Proceed with caution if you’re considering joining Criteo.
