Merkle names Craig Dempster global CEO

Performance marketing agency Merkle has appointed Craig Dempster as its global CEO, effective 1 June. Dempster (pictured) will oversee the entire organisation of more than 9,600 employees in 13 countries, including its most recent acquisitions, Media Storm, Digital Pi, and 4Cite. He will also focus on enhancing Merkle’s commitment to its technologies and client base, placing an emphasis on marketing excellence, ownership of identity, and the total customer experience. Additionally, Dempster will assume responsibility for leading Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) brands within the CRM line of business, notably 360i, gyro, and Cardinal Path, to deliver marketing and integrated solutions that are data-driven, tech-enabled, and ideas-led. 

David Williams, chairman and CEO of Merkle for more than 32 years, will remain chairman of Merkle while retaining his role as CEO, global CRM group for DAN and chairman of DAN Americas. Under Williams’ leadership, Merkle has grown from US$2.5 million in revenue to more than US$1 billion in revenue annually. He oversaw the company’s sale to Dentsu in 2016 and its integration over the past four years. “Dempster has been a crucial leader in the success we’ve seen with Merkle over the past 14 years, and I’m confident in his ability to lead our employees and clients through this time of disruption and into the future," Williams said.

Dempster held the role of president of Merkle Americas since 2017, overseeing the organisation’s many service lines, including CRM, enterprise technology, data, analytics, performance media, user experience, performance creative, promotion and loyalty solutions, and customer strategy consulting. He has been a part of Merkle’s executive leadership team since joining the company in 2006. Under Williams’ mentorship and as a direct report for more than ten years, Dempster has played an integral role in driving the company’s growth and profitability in the Americas, which represents 80% of Merkle’s annual revenue globally. His appointment comes at a time of major disruption in marketing, with a changing environment and the decline of third-party cookies causing a heightened focus on first-party data. According to a press release, Dempster’s deep leadership experience and tenure with Merkle equips him to take the helm to lead the company and its clients through this new normal. 

Prior to his role as president of Merkle Americas, Dempster held executive roles spanning across the business, which have prepared him for the broad responsibilities of global CEO. As global agency services lead, his team delivered integrated performance media agency services across media and platforms. Previously, as chief marketing officer, he was responsible for driving corporate strategy, repositioning the company as a CRM agency and establishing the marketing communications, PR, and events organizations. Dempster originally joined Merkle as head of its data and analytics business. Throughout the past decade, Dempster spearheaded the company’s expansion in the Americas and Europe by championing more than a dozen acquisitions.

Dempster said: "I am honored to take on the role of global CEO of Merkle, and accepting the reins from a CEO of David Williams’ caliber makes it all the more rewarding. He is a visionary leader who has dedicated 32 years of his life to this industry and to making Merkle the great company it is today. His are big shoes to fill, and I am immensely grateful for his mentorship, his friendship, and the trust he has placed in me. I look forward to working with the strong, seasoned group of executive leaders that we have assembled and with the entire Merkle team, serving as a valued partner to our clients.”

Dempster’s appointment follows a successful 2019, with Merkle implementing an influx of new platforms and technologies. The company also reported an 21.2% increase in revenue, with expansion into new markets and the addition of more than 220 new clients. Additionally, Merkle added 3,700 employees globally, including its recent addition of 2,500 data scientists as part of the acquisition of Ugam last year, according to the agency. 

Last week, DAN purchased the remaining shares of Merkle, completing its ownership of Merkle. Before the signing, DAN owned 66% of Merkle shares with an option to buy the remaining 34% in Q3 2021. As per the initial agreement, payment will still be made in Q3 2021. According to DAN, the decision to bring the full purchase forward secures the expertise and knowledge of Merkle’s senior management team. It also strengthens the network’s CRM line of business and its ability to offer clients integrated solutions across creative, CRM and media. Additionally, the move allows the deployment of key Merkle talent to global roles across DAN.

Related articles:
Dentsu Aegis Network snaps up remaining Merkle shares a year early
DAN's Merkle makes largest ever acquisition with India-based data firm Ugam
Dentsu’s Merkle picks APAC COO
Dentsu's Merkle names SEA managing director