TMP Worldwide Announces Plans To Acquire The Highland Search Group L.L.C.

NEW YORK-- Sept. 7, 1999-- TMP Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: TMPW; ASX: TMP), the leading provider of global recruitment solutions including the dominant Internet career portal, Monster.com, and the world's largest yellow pages advertising agency, today announced it has entered into a letter of intent to acquire the assets of The Highland Search Group L.L.C., a premier U.S.-based executive search firm specializing in the financial services industry, in a pooling of interests transaction. The terms and conditions of the acquisition were not disclosed. The acquisition is subject to various conditions, including TMP's satisfaction with its due diligence review and the negotiation and execution of definitive documentation.

The Highland Search Group is a highly regarded executive search firm with offices in New York City, offering its services exclusively on a retained basis. The firm's strengths lie in the recruitment of senior level candidates within all areas of financial services including investment banking, commercial banking, retail brokerage, insurance and asset management. In 1998, Highland reported revenue of approximately $17 million.

The agreement with The Highland Search Group follows TMP's recent completion of its acquisition of LAI Worldwide, one of the largest providers of executive search services in the United States. Andrew J. McKelvey, Chairman and CEO of TMP Worldwide, stated: ``The addition of a top tier firm such as the Highland Search Group positions us to offer our clients the access to the finest executive talent within the financial services sector. The firm brings us several of the most highly-respected consultants within this sector and provides us with a solid base within the senior-level executive search arena, which, when added to our online recruitment advertising business, furthers our 'Intern-to CEO' strategy.''

Upon consummation of the proposed acquisition, Steven B. Potter, founder and a senior partner of The Highland Search Group, will become president of TMP's North American executive search practice. He will report to Michael Squires, President of TMP's Global Executive Search division. Prior to founding Highland, Mr. Potter was a member of Russell Reynolds' Executive Committee.

``We are enthusiastic about joining forces with the global leader in recruitment solutions,'' said Mr. Potter. ``With TMP's vast resources in both traditional recruitment and online recruitment practices, the Highland Search Group will be positioned to accelerate the growth of our practice, while strengthening TMP's financial services search practice worldwide.''

Michael P. Castine, also a Highland senior partner, will join Michael J. Corey as Co-Head of TMP's Executive Search Global Sectors, which includes the firm's specialty executive recruiting practices in the areas of Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology, Consumer Products, Industrial Products, E-commerce/Internet Services and other functional services (i.e.: human resources, communications and legal, etc.). Michael Castine served as a global sector leader with Spencer Stuart prior to his joining the Highland Group two years ago.

Special Note

The above statements include forward-looking statements based on current management expectations. Factors that could cause future results to differ from these expectations include: risks associated with acquisitions, competition and seasonality. Additional factors are described in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Founded in 1967, TMP Worldwide, headquartered in New York City, now with approximately 6,100 employees in 25 countries, is, through its flagship product Monster.com, the online recruitment leader, the world's largest recruitment advertising agency network, one of the world's largest search and selection agencies, the world's largest yellow page advertising agency and a provider of direct marketing services. The company's clients include more than 80 of the Fortune 100 and more than 400 of the Fortune 500 companies.

Monster.com (www.monster.com), the flagship product of the Interactive Division of TMP Worldwide, is the leading, global online network for careers, connecting the most progressive companies with the most qualified career-minded individuals. Monster.com is committed to leading the market by offering innovative technology and superior services that give consumers and businesses more control over the recruiting process. The Monster.com network currently consists of websites in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and France. More information about Monster.com is available at www.monster.com or by calling 1-800-MONSTER.