Merkle, the performance marketing agency, has announced the promotion of Craig Dempster to global CEO, taking over from David Williams who has held the role for 32 years.
Dempster (pictured), who steps up from his role as president of Merkle Americas, has been with the business since 2006, and from June 1 will oversee the entire organisation of more than 9,600 employees in 13 countries.
Williams, who is also chairman of Merkle – a role he will maintain – will focus on the CRM line of business for Dentsu Aegis Network.
“Craig 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,” said Williams.
“I cannot think of a person more qualified and deserving of the position. Merkle has amplified its presence across the industry, becoming a leader in innovation, and Craig will continue to meet and surpass our business goals as we set our sights on becoming a multi-billion-dollar global leader in data-driven, tech-enabled, people-based customer experiences.”
[advert position=”left”]
Commenting on his promotion, Dempster added: “I am honoured to take on the role of global CEO of Merkle, and accepting the reins from a CEO of David Williams’s 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 has been a part of Merkle’s executive leadership team since joining the company in 2006. Under Williams’s mentorship and as a direct report for more than ten years, he is credited with driving the company’s growth and profitability in the Americas, which represents 80% of Merkle’s annual revenue globally.
