Merkle (www.merkle.com), a leading technology-enabled, data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company, has appointed Liz Rutgersson to the position of chief media officer, Merkle Americas. In this new role, Rutgersson will focus on driving client success while overseeing the full adoption and implementation of Merkle’s unique approach to performance media. Rutgersson was previously responsible for Merkle’s EMEA media and planning practice and agency operations.

As chief media officer, Rutgersson will further develop Merkle’s data-driven, technology-enabled media capabilities for the Americas. She will be responsible for driving growth and maturity through new business support and existing client engagement, as well as be accountable for key publisher relationships, and the development of joint business plans with essential partners. Rutgersson will continue to represent Merkle as a leader within the global media community, as well as with leadership at dentsu.

“As a long-time member of the media industry, it’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of the impressive and innovative work happening at Merkle around transforming the customer experience through data and technology,” said Rutgersson. “The task of further pushing this vision along for our Americas media practice is very exciting. I’m looking forward to harmonizing Merkle’s media community and approach globally, as I believe experience-focused media can and should be a crucial part of an advertiser’s digital transformation journey.”

With almost fifteen years of experience leading media teams, Rutgersson has been part of the Merkle team for a decade and was instrumental in growing the company’s market-leading media capabilities. Since joining the team via Merkle’s Periscopix acquisition, she has been responsible for launching the company’s programmatic, paid social, and integrated media teams, as well as building the foundation for aligned agency services operations across the UK and EMEA.

“The media space has drastically changed over the past ten years, and Liz has been a driving force of this innovation,” said Patrick Hounsell, EVP and global head of performance media at Merkle. “She has been a strong industry voice around the importance of data-driven and performance media and will continue to be a leader of this space in her new role. With her impressive background, outstanding leadership skills, and clear understanding of Merkle’s goal to deliver a total customer experience, there is no better person than Liz to take on this role as chief media officer.”

Rutgersson will be based in Merkle’s New York office and report to Hounsell.