10 career websites acquired by public company

Internet Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:INET) based in Los Angeles, California recently announced its expansion into careers with the acquisition of 10 niche career sites with an emphasis on community and social networking. The company's consumer Internet division now operates in five verticals, including auto, careers, home, shopping, and travel and leisure.

The company seems to have a well-thought-out strategy of focusing on employment niches that 

• have persistent labor shortages (such as nursing, hospital jobs, certain types of aviation workers, or truck drivers), or
• careers that are self-directed or self-employed (such as freelancers or work-at-home jobs) and
• high growth employment markets that are always active

Bob Brisco, CEO of Internet Brands says

"We operate in precise, niche markets with high user and advertiser demand. We believe that the Internet employment market is evolving toward high-engagement sites that deliver value in addition to job listings, such as community interaction, insider-type information, and the ability to review work portfolios."

But, it takes more than sharp strategy.  Just this morning I read a great headline (reminding me of all the entrepreneurs I've seen acquired and silenced) in this business that says "Big companies are where small companies go to die" Here's hoping their execution is as good as their planning!

...and the career sites acquired are:

• AirlinePilotCentral.com, a leading career community for airline pilots, with a focus on career planning and salary information.
• AviationEmployment.com, an employment listings site focusing on global aviation and aerospace employment opportunities.
• ClassADrivers.com, the leading online source for trucking employment opportunity listings in North America and the largest community site for truck drivers.
• HospitalJobsOnline.com, a site that brings together job seekers and employers from across the medical and healthcare spectrum, including medical doctors.
• iFreelance.com, a leading portfolio and directory site for freelancer workers such as graphic designers, computer developers, and business consultants.
• ModelMayhem.com, the leading portfolio website for models, photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and other modeling industry professionals.
• NursingJobs.org, a leading nursing employment opportunity job board with listings from across the United States.
• PPRuNe.org (The Professional Pilots Rumour Network), a community site for aviation professionals from around the world to discuss all aspects of their careers. PPRuNe.org was formerly part of the Company's Travel and Leisure division. The Company acquired this website in 2007.
• RealPolice.net, a law enforcement career resource and community site offering career opportunity listings, officer training information, and career support discussion forums.
• WAHM.com (Work At Home Moms), the leading resource for work at home employment, featuring work at home and home-based business opportunity listings and a community discussion forum.

Congratulations friends!

I already know a good  number of recruiters that have started job boards and social networking career sites - I have a feeling that there are hundreds that I don't know about hard at work on their own beta sites.  This news will undoubtedly launch 1,000 more! So, hold on to your seats everyone.

For more details, please see the company press release, look at other public companies that own job boards, or other career site acquisitions.