What’s a Merkle?
I know that it’s been a while since I updated my blog. The biggest reason is that I’ve taken on a new position at Merkle as the Chief Technology Officer.
Since Merkle isn’t a well known company outside of the Database Marketing environment, it’s worth spending a bit of time describing what Merkle does. Since it’s foundation in the 70’s, Merkle has traditionally focused on helping companies reach their customers. In the most recent incarnation, that means helping marketing organizations to be most effective in understanding their customers, how to effectively execute campaigns and how to measure the results of those efforts. Now with more than 1,200 employees and over $250 million in revenue, Merkle is embarking on its next generation focused on end-to-end, integrated marketing optimization.
And, that’s where I fit in. My background has been on custom application development and integration with a focus on new media and digital channels. The next generation of technology for Merkle extends beyond its existing strengths in developing customer databases, analytics and campaigns (including direct mail, email and mobile). It’s a stronger reach into operational data, digital asset management, marketing organization effectiveness and new aspects of customer interactions including social. While I was at Capgemini, one of the hardest questions we had with our own clients was how to monetize these digital channels. At Merkle, I’m working to help answer that question – along with some of the biggest and best brands in the world.
I’m really excited about the opportunity…
