Community service initiative addressing veteran unemployment will feature the biggest names in entertainment and business to showcase real life military stories
McLean, Va – Monster.com, the worldwide leader in connecting people to job opportunities, and Military.com, the nation's largest military and veteran membership organization, announced today they have joined forces with Clear Channel to participate in iHeartRadio's Show Your Stripes community initiative to raise awareness of veteran unemployment and encourage businesses to hire veteran talent.
The initiative is the largest public service campaign in Clear Channel's history with over $75 million in radio, digital and out-of-home resources dedicated to the program in just the first year. Clear Channel has over 243 million monthly listeners in the United States.
To help deliver the message that hiring skilled veterans is a smart decision for businesses, iHeartRadio's Show Your Stripes will engage iconic legends in music and pop culture. To launch the campaign, artists across all music and entertainment genres, including Elton John, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Ryan Seacrest, Mario Lopez Trace Adkins and LL Cool J have recorded a series of PSAs that showcase stories from veterans who have successfully found jobs. Kelly Clarkson tells the story of Jeff Marshall, a 10-year member of the U.S. Air Force special operations command who is now working in online operations at Facebook.
Monster.com and Military.com are the official website partners for iHeartRadio's Show Your Stripes and will provide veteran users access to 70,000 military-friendly jobs through their online services and also offer businesses the opportunity to post jobs specifically geared toward the skills provided by veterans. iHeartRadio's showyourstripes.org offers users - which include both veterans and businesses - a customized experience that will deliver the most relevant and helpful employment resources in a clear and easy to navigate way.
"The most important element of making a successful transition from the military to civilian life is getting the right job to begin a post-military career," said retired Navy Rear Adm. T. McCreary, President of Military.com and Vice President of Monster Worldwide. "We are happy to join the iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes effort because of its deep reach into Clear Channel's communities around the country and hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses, providing more opportunities for men and women who have bravely served their nation."
According to the 2012 Monster Veterans Talent Index, less than half of respondents (43%) feel they are prepared for their career transition out of the military, down from 53 percent in November 2011. Only 22 percent of respondents are confident about finding work that suits them, down from 34 percent in November 2011. Additionally, one in two veterans (57%) is concerned about employers understanding their skills and experience.
The job search process for veterans continues to be unfamiliar and lacks familiar structure for these men and women. Similarly for employers, locating veteran talent and aligning military experience to role requirements, has been a great challenge. Monster.com and Military.com's Military Skills Translator converts military specialties into civilian occupations and identifies similar occupations for the user to consider. The product also features career paths other veterans with similar backgrounds have taken and provides networking between veterans and transitioning personnel for mentorship on education opportunities, transition challenges and career advice based on job specialty. The site also features many jobs for veterans.
"The U.S. government has invested billions of dollars training the most technically skilled and qualified group of veterans in our history. These veterans are now returning home with skills that make them ideal job candidates for American businesses - small and large," said John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises. "By leveraging Clear Channel's enormous reach to showcase the value that these returning vets offer employers, we can generate real action - connecting highly skilled veterans to employers who need their services."
About Monster Worldwide
Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:MWW), is the global leader in successfully connecting job opportunities and people. Monster uses the world's most advanced technology to help people Find Better, matching job seekers to opportunities via digital, social and mobile solutions including monster.com®, our flagship website, and employers to the best talent using a vast array of products and services. As an Internet pioneer, more than 200 million people have registered on the Monster Worldwide network. Today, with operations in more than 40 countries, Monster provides the broadest, most sophisticated job seeking, career management, recruitment and talent management capabilities globally. For more information visit about-monster.com.
About Clear Channel Media and Entertainment
With 243 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations. The company's radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company's radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and smartphones, and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others.
The company's operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company.
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