dentsu names global CEO of Merkle

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Dentsu is promoting Michael Komasinski to the role of global CEO at Merkle, and a member of the dentsu international executive team. In his new role, Komasinki (pictured) reports to Wendy Clark, global CEO of dentsu international. He replaces Craig Dempster, who will retire from the business at the end of the year.

Komasinki is currently president of Merkle, Americas, and CEO, Americas CXM, at dentsu international. He oversees aspects of Merkle’s Americas regional operation. Prior to that, he was COO at Razorfish and president, Schawk retail marketing, at SGK. He has also worked at The Nielsen Company for over seven years,

Komasinki brings a wealth of experience, having led Merkle across two of dentsu’s three regions. He first joined Merkle as COO of agency services, before moving on to become president of the agency’s Europe, Middle East, and African (EMEA) region, leading a business of over US$400 million in net revenue. Under his leadership for four years, the EMEA business increased by five times.

Komasinki said that bringing together its combined strengths with dentsu makes it market leading, demonstrating to its clients the breadth of capability it offers to deliver integrated marketing solutions and business outcomes. “Talent is the lifeblood of brands such as Merkle and it is a key focus in the pandemic era as the labour market tightens and we pivot to hybrid ways of working. As in the past, we are focused on making Merkle and dentsu the employer of choice where the best talent in the industry wants to come develop and thrive,” he added.

According to dentsu, Komasinki’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for denstu as it moves closer to its ambition of becoming the most integrated agency network in the world – data-driven, tech-enabled and ideas led.

Clark said that Komasinki inspires and leads teams in developing impactful, data-driven and tech-enabled customer experiences while building lasting and values-based relationships with clients. “He shares our collective ambition to become the most integrated agency network, delivering integrated solutions to drive growth for our clients across creative, media and CXM. I know Komasinki is ready to progress this agenda at the helm of Merkle and will be a key leader for dentsu as we further accelerate our growth and momentum,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dempster joined dentsu during Merkle’s acquisition in 2016 and has been a member of the Merkle executive leadership team for close to 15 years. As global CEO, Dempster played an integral role in driving Merkle’s culture, growth and profitability; and in building its relationships with flagship brands such as AT&T, GEICO, Citizens, and AARP.

Dempster said that he is immensely proud of what Merkle has achieved over the past 15 years, especially its growth and offering under dentsu. “Putting data at the heart of everything we do at dentsu is transforming our offer and ultimately providing our clients with a seamless and integrated experience to deliver outstanding growth. I celebrate and thank our people in helping to build one of the most innovative businesses in the world,” he added.

Earlier this year, Merkle acquired CX and commerce agency LiveArea, bolstering its global experience and commerce capabilities, and further positioning the business as a go-to experience partner for businesses around the world.

Separately, Dentsu launched Merkle in Indonesia in August this year, led by the COO of iProspect, Arshad Rahman and supported by some key hires including Ammar Prayitno as CXM solutions director of Merkle Indonesia. At the same time, Dentsu launched Merkle in Hong Kong, led by Nathan Petralia, general manager for Merkle and dentsu CXM Hong Kong. He reports to Simone Tam, CEO, dentsu International Hong Kong.

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