Merkle (www.merkle.com), a leading technology-enabled, data-driven customer relationship marketing (CRM) firm and the nation’s largest privately held agency, announced record-setting progress within its banking and finance practice, with more than 19% year-over-year net revenue growth in the sector.

The growth in this practice is a result of Merkle’s Connected CRM (cCRM)® approach to helping its financial services clients build and grow their customer portfolios.  As banks react to shifts in consumer media consumption patterns, research habits, and purchase behaviors, they have become more focused on creating relevant, personalized, and integrated experiences throughout the purchase funnel. Merkle is supporting this effort with its expertise in management consulting, technology services, data and analytics, and digital agency services that drive measureable growth and competitive advantage.

In support of this advancement, the company has expanded its breadth of top-tier talent through a number of strategic additions to the team, including Echo Liang, vice president, quantitative solutions, Eric Burling, vice president, client partner, and Deirdre Egan, vice president, associate client partner.

Liang joined Merkle from Citigroup where she spent 15 years in a variety of analytic and marketing roles. At Merkle, Liang will focus on providing clients with data-driven marketing strategies and analytical capabilities that act as key differentiators for Merkle in the retail banking market. Burling is a seasoned digital marketing and analytics executive with over 20 years of domestic and international experience spanning across professional services, enterprise software, and business management. Egan has more than 20 years of client and agency experience in CRM brand strategy and a strong track record in digital, mobile, and social media programs. Both Burling and Egan, client partners for the practice, are responsible for the integrated delivery of Merkle’s multi-channel CRM programs with the mission of driving clients’ business growth. 

“Echo, Eric, and Deirdre will be focused on leading Merkle’s banking and financial services clients to develop data-driven Connected CRM programs,” said Will Bordelon, executive vice president, vertical markets group, Merkle. “Their mission is to drive business growth and promote customer engagement across digital and offline media and channels.”