Komasinski to Replace Dempster as Merkle CEO

In New York, data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company Merkle is promoting Michael Komasinski to the role of Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed Craig Dempster who is retiring after fifteen years with Merkle and four with parent company Dentsu.

Merkle offers data, technology, and analytics to understand consumer insights that drive personalized marketing strategies. Earlier this year, the firm acquired customer experience and commerce agency LiveArea, whose services span commerce, experience design, technology, and strategy. Merkle's 12,000 employees are based at its headquarters in Columbia, Maryland, and more than 50 additional offices throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.

Komasinski (pictured), who will take up his new role on 1 January, joined seven years ago as COO of Agency Services, before becoming President of Merkle's EMEA region, leading a business of more than $400m in net revenue. He currently serves as President of Merkle/CXM, Americas, and leader of the dentsu Customer Experience Management (CXM) Service Line in the Americas, overseeing all aspects of Merkle's Americas regional operation.

In January, Komasinski will take over from Dempster who has been a member of the Merkle executive leadership team for nearly fifteen years and joined Dentsu during Merkle's acquisition in 2016. Commenting on the news, Dentsu Global CEO Wendy Clark said: 'Craig has been instrumental in growing the Merkle business and he leaves the brand in great shape with a strong client portfolio, a solid leadership team and a business that is much more integrated into dentsu. It has been a privilege to work with Craig as part of my Executive team. I know Michael 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.'

Web site: www.dentsu.com .