QuinStreet, Inc. is a publicly traded online
marketing
Marketing is the act of acquiring, satisfying and retaining customers. It is one of the primary components of Business administration, business management and commerce.
Marketing is usually conducted by the seller, typically a retailer or ma ...
company based in
Foster City, California
Foster City is a master-planned city located in San Mateo County, California, United States. Foster City is sometimes considered to be part of Silicon Valley for its local industry and its proximity to Silicon Valley cities. There are many n ...
. The company helps generate web traffic for clients by acquiring popular domain names.
The company was founded in 1999, and was publicly listed in 2010.
History
QuinStreet was formed in 1999 by Doug Valenti (chairman and CEO). Bronwyn Syiek, another founding team member, was president and COO. The company was first profitable in 2002 with revenues of $13 million; by April 2009, QuinStreet reported $300 million in annual revenues and approximately 450 employees.
QuinStreet Inc. acquired U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, Inc, which operated the
CardRatings.com website in August 2008 for an initial cash payment of $10.4 million.
In the beginning of August 2009, QuinStreet Inc. used some of its cash reserves to acquire the Internet.com division of
WebMediaBrands
Mecklermedia (formerly Internet.com LLC, Jupitermedia Inc., Mediabistro Inc. and WebMediaBrands Corporation) was a U.S.-based corporation. The original WebMediaBrands was established in 1994, and headquartered in New York. Founded by Alan M. M ...
Inc. for $18 million.
In September 2009, QuinStreet purchased Insure.com for $16 million. The company's other financial-services properties include
MoneyRates.com, Get Rich Slowly, ConsumerismCommentary.com and HSH.com.
An
initial public offering
An initial public offering (IPO) or stock launch is a public offering in which shares of a company are sold to institutional investors and usually also to retail (individual) investors. An IPO is typically underwritten by one or more investm ...
on February 11, 2010, raised $150 million, with the shares listed on Nasdaq under the symbol QNST.
In September 2011, QuinStreet acquired the IT Business Edge (ITBE) network of web publications.
In June 2012, the company was under investigation by the Attorneys General's offices of 15 separate US states, led by the
Attorney General of Kentucky
The attorney general of Kentucky is the chief legal officer of the U.S. state of Kentucky, created by the Kentucky Constitution (Ky.Const. ยง 91). Under Kentucky law, they serve several roles, including the state's chief prosecutor (KRS 15.700), ...
,
Jack Conway. The company was accused of targeting military veterans with deceptive recruiting practices for its for-profit school clients.
The company agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine and relinquish the website GIBill.com.
[
In February 2012, the company acquired the media assets of ]Ziff Davis
Ziff Davis, Inc. is an American digital media and internet company. Founded in 1927 by William Bernard Ziff Sr. and Bernard George Davis, the company primarily owns technology- and health-oriented media websites, online shopping-related servi ...
"Enterprise", which included eWeek.com, CIOInsight.com, Baseline.com, ChannelInsider.com and WebBuyersGuide.com, and others.
In 2018, the company acquired AmOne, an online marketing company.
Business
Quinstreet's education clients have included Art Institutes, DeVry University, Kaplan University
Kaplan University (KU) was a private online for-profit university owned by Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company. It was predominantly a distance learning institution, maintaining 14 ground locations across the United States. ...
, University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix (UoPX) is a Private university, private For-profit higher education in the United States, for-profit university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1976, the university confers certificates and degrees at the Ac ...
, Westwood, and other for-profit colleges
Proprietary colleges are for-profit colleges and universities generally operated by their owners, investors, or shareholders in a manner prioritizing shareholder primacy as opposed to education provided by non-profit institution (such as non-sec ...
.
References
External links
*
* {{Finance links
, name = QuinStreet
, symbol = QNST
, hoovers = QuinStreet_Inc.bd242fb6cb1fa1e1
, sec_cik = 1117297
Companies based in Foster City, California
Internet properties established in 1999
Marketing companies established in 1999
2010 initial public offerings
Companies listed on the Nasdaq
Online advertising services and affiliate networks
1999 establishments in California