I have met some people who genuinely believe they work for the best company in the world, despite the fact that its prime days are behind it. The company has become mature and resistant to change, and, from my perspective, its transformation is more likely to end in its demise or a sale.
The reality of Criteo is that it initially succeeded with a single product, then began acquiring other companies while promoting itself as innovative and cutting-edge business. However, beneath this facade lies an outdated technological stack, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and a culture marked by opaque communication and internal French politics.
(Yes, despite having around 20 locations, the company remains an old-fashioned French organization, only now with 3,500 employees and a superficial American vibe).
There is a notable lack of strategy at Criteo, with numerous attempts by C-level leaders to convince investors of their competence. However, the only consistent action they take for several years in a row is conducting multiple rounds of global layoffs, dictated by each country's legislation.
Of course, a significant factor is the crisis within the Adtech industry itself, especially with the impending 'cookie apocalypse.' The business is struggling to address these complex dilemmas and to shape a sustainable future for the company, and the CEO consistently fails to inspire trust and reliability among her employees at Criteo.
There were times of extremely high turnover rates within the company; the current stability is not due to the company creating a safe, innovative, and creative environment but rather because, amidst global IT layoffs, employees know their options are limited and it’s safer to wait for the global situation to improve and then find a better place in the market.
I agree with the points mentioned in other reviews. In summary, there is poor middle management across different countries, ineffective and complex processes, below-market salary ranges, top-down decision-making, miscommunication challenges, and limited opportunities for growth.
If you have multiple offers to consider, avoid choosing Criteo. The industry is unstable, and the company is struggling to find its footing.