Our history

A foundation of passion and experience


Our history

A foundation of passion and experience

Our history

A foundation of passion and experience

Our history

A foundation of passion and experience

Our history

A foundation of passion and experience

Our history

A foundation of passion and experience

Our history

A foundation of passion and experience

Merkle was acquired in 1988 by entrepreneur David Williams. Considered a visionary by many, even he couldn’t have foreseen what technology would have in store for the business, which has evolved over 35+ years into one of the world’s premier customer experience management (CXM) companies.

While Merkle’s business model has changed through the years, one thing has remained constant: our dedication to providing our clients with world-class solutions for maximizing the value of their customer portfolios.

Since the days when one-to-one marketing was limited to direct mail, telemarketing, and email, we have always understood the value of data, analytics, and technology in informing marketing engagement. As the market evolved, Merkle has invested globally in the data, technology, and digital media capabilities that have kept us at the forefront of the performance marketing movement. In fact, we are the only agency that has been recognized by Forrester across every aspect of the customer lifecycle.

Growth and expansion have always been watchwords – not only for Merkle’s own business ambitions, but even more importantly in terms of our clients. We have reached our market-leading status through years of tenacious focus on organic growth, revered talent sourcing, and smart corporate acquisitions.

Merkle has earned a reputation as a valued partner to our clients by assembling an elite team of experts who share a passion for achieving greatness and partnering with an enviable bench of technology partners. In doing so, we have convened the most experienced multidisciplinary marketing experts in the country, who strive to achieve their best work in areas of strategic consulting, data & analytics, technology, digital media, experience activation, analytical services, and promotion & loyalty solutions.

We have welcomed more than three dozen acquired companies into the Merkle family over the past 35 years, from software and technology providers to data and analytics companies to experience and creative agencies. This melting pot of assets has consistently built upon Merkle’s core strengths to become what we are today: a customer experience company for the ages.

Merkle through the years

Our evolution is charted through five eras that correspond to our own growth, as well as the market forces driven by technology advancements, changing customer behaviors, and the growing demands of the brands we serve.

Merkle through the years

Our evolution is charted through five eras that correspond to our own growth, as well as the market forces driven by technology advancements, changing customer behaviors, and the growing demands of the brands we serve.

Merkle through the years

Our evolution is charted through five eras that correspond to our own growth, as well as the market forces driven by technology advancements, changing customer behaviors, and the growing demands of the brands we serve.

Merkle through the years

Our evolution is charted through five eras that correspond to our own growth, as well as the market forces driven by technology advancements, changing customer behaviors, and the growing demands of the brands we serve.

Merkle through the years

Our evolution is charted through five eras that correspond to our own growth, as well as the market forces driven by technology advancements, changing customer behaviors, and the growing demands of the brands we serve.

Merkle through the years

Our evolution is charted through five eras that correspond to our own growth, as well as the market forces driven by technology advancements, changing customer behaviors, and the growing demands of the brands we serve.

Merkle through the years

Our evolution is charted through five eras that correspond to our own growth, as well as the market forces driven by technology advancements, changing customer behaviors, and the growing demands of the brands we serve.

Our growing family


Our growing family

Our growing family

Our growing family

Our growing family

Our growing family

Our growing family

2021: LiveArea
2022: Extentia, Pexlify, Aware 

2023: Omega, Shift7

2016: DBG, Comet, Joined Dentsu Aegis Network, Axis41 

2017: Divisadero, Aquila Insight, Sokrati, DWA, Oxyma Group
2018: HelloWorld, Columbus, Amicus Digital, Namics, DEG 

2019: Filter, Happy Marketer, Ugam 

2020: 4Cite, Digital Pi, Media Storm

2011: IMPAQT, Lenser 

2012: Social Amp, 5th Finger, Brilig 

2014: New Control, RKG, 500Friends 

2015: Pointmarc, Periscopix

2007: CognitiveDATA, CFM Direct
2009: Analytici