Merkle (www.merkle.com), a leading technology enabled, data driven customer relationship marketing (CRM) firm and the nation’s largest privately held agency, today announced that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has extended its contract relationship with Merkle for another three years. The National MS Society, which funds more MS-related research and provides more program services than any other MS organization in the world, began its full-service engagement with Merkle in 2006. The long-term relationship exemplifies Merkle’s focus on providing its nonprofit clients with world-class marketing services to maximize their fundraising efforts.

Merkle’s agency-of-record role entails managing the National MS Society’s direct marketing program through a full suite of services that includes direct mail, digital, and telemarketing strategy; creative design; program management; print production; fulfillment, reporting and analytics. In 2012, National MS Society complemented its direct response engagement with Merkle by adding digital services to their existing contract.

Additionally, Merkle provides assistance with the nonprofit’s awareness efforts and fundraising campaigns, including Walk MS. All of Merkle’s services advance the National MS Society’s multi-channel marketing programs, designed to increase the number of donors, donor loyalty and fundraising dollars. The National MS Society will leverage Merkle’s Connected CRM™ solutions and identify key benchmarks and measures of success.

“The Society chose Merkle because of our long-standing relationship, during which they have proven their knowledge and understanding of our business and fundraising priorities, as well as those of the nonprofit industry as a whole,” said Krista Byers, associate vice president of development. “Merkle has been a true partner and a catalyst in helping us advance our fundraising and donor retention efforts. I look forward to continued success. ”

“Merkle is honored that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has signed a new three-year contract,” said Will Bordelon, executive vice president, vertical markets, Merkle. “We genuinely care about the causes championed by our nonprofit clients and take a collaborative, data-driven approach to deliver measurable results. We are dedicated to helping the Society further its vision with campaigns that drive both awareness and fundraising.”