Merkle, a leading technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency and part of Dentsu Aegis Network, has appointed Ted Bray as Managing Director of Merkle Southeast Asia, responsible for the success of the Merkle ASEAN business. The appointment is effective immediately and is in addition to his current role as Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer for Asia Pacific.

The Managing Director role is the first of its kind for Merkle in Southeast Asia and signals the agency’s commitment to the region as a key growth market within Asia Pacific. Bray will maintain the responsibilities of his Chief Growth Officer role, with accountability for Merkle’s revenue across the entire Asia Pacific region. Under his leadership, Merkle has enjoyed significant year-over-year growth in APAC.

In his new role, Bray will accelerate the growth of the Merkle brand in market, bringing together the strategic capabilities Merkle has acquired in DWA and driving synergies across the Dentsu Aegis Network. Bray will be charged with continuing the growth trajectory of the brand with future expansion into the ASEAN markets, providing clients with people-based marketing solutions that drive competitive advantage.

Bray is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of industry experience, with the past 3 years as part of Merkle. He originally moved to Singapore in 2008 and, prior to Merkle, held several Asia Pacific leadership roles, including Japan Country Manager and the building and leadership of direct and channel sales organisations across APAC.

Bray will have dual reporting lines, continuing to report to Zhengda Shen (President, Merkle APAC) and to Phil Teeman (Dentsu Aegis Network Southeast Asia CEO) as part of his new role.

Shen said, “Ted is a unique talent in Merkle and our industry, with an excellent track record in delivering growth in the region and significant expertise in people-based marketing. It’s important we have the right leadership in our regional hub. I am confident Ted will be an asset as we continue to strengthen our performance in the region, build greater value for our clients, and accelerate our business goals.”

“It’s exciting to be a leader in the data and technology disruption that’s happening today in the industry,” Bray said. “Merkle’s momentum across APAC, and in ASEAN, continues to build. As a part of the Dentsu Aegis Network, we believe the future of marketing is personal – it’s informed by data and powered by technology. As a key part of Dentsu Aegis Network’s data and tech-driven capabilities, Merkle is helping the best brands in the region create competitive advantage through people-based marketing. I’m thrilled to be leading the team in this region, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.”

Teeman said of the appointment, “the development of people-based marketing solutions is of ever-increasing importance to businesses across ASEAN markets. As a highly skilled and experienced talent, Ted is the ideal leader to accelerate the growth of Merkle’s unique capabilities in the region."