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Merkle Restructures Its Agency Services Group

COLUMBIA, Md.-(Business Wire)-October 2, 2008 - Merkle (www.merkleinc.com), one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing database marketing agencies, announced the completion of a recent organizational effort to improve the way it provides agency services to its clients. Merkle’s new alignment creates a streamlined, centralized resource – basically an “agency within an agency” chartered to create innovative and compelling marketing programs that change consumer behavior and that are based on an analytically driven strategy. The agency services group will manage all aspects of creative and production, including campaign management, copywriting, graphic design, and client liaison for on- and off-line programs that leverage both traditional and new media.

Previously, Merkle’s creative and production management resources were divided into groups supporting commercial and nonprofit clients. The newly-formed Agency Services group now includes more than 100 employees and Merkle plans to continue to aggressively grow this talent base moving forward. The Agency serves a wide variety of clients including Capital One, GMAC Insurance, Arthritis Foundation, CARE and Bank of America.

Merkle’s Agency Services group will now be led by both new and long-time Merkle staff members. Management of Merkle’s Agency Services group includes:

Michael Mathias, who as executive vice president and group leader, will oversee the direction and focus of the group. Mathias is a long-time senior executive with Merkle, having first joined the company in 1995. A noted industry speaker and industry authority, Mathias has worked with an extensive roster of national clients to develop effective marketing program strategies.
Kathleen Hart leads Merkle’s production management efforts as senior director. A 20-plus-year industry veteran, Hart’s expertise spans print, broadcast, direct mail, studio operations, project management, creative, purchasing and supply-chain management. Hart recently joined Merkle from AAA’s regional headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, where she managed marketing creative services. Prior to that, Hart served in the positions of senior vice president and director of operations in Young & Rubicam’s Miami office. Earlier, Hart held positions at the director and executive levels at advertising agencies J. Walter Thompson and Campbell-Ewald Advertising.
Bob Ball will manage Merkle’s creative resources as senior director. A seasoned direct response veteran with nearly 25 years of experience, Ball has anchored Merkle’s creative offerings since 1993 by spearheading successful fundraising campaigns for Merkle’s large national nonprofit clients. In his new role, Ball will lead a unified creative team serving both commercial and nonprofit clients. He is also a sought-after speaker and judge for fundraising conferences and awards.
Ken Geis, formerly general manager of Merkle’s Philadelphia office, will serve as Vice President, Engagement and Innovation. In his new role, Geis will work with clients to identify opportunities for turning analytical insight into marketing results. Geis has more than 15 years of direct marketing experience and joined Merkle in 1999. Prior to Merkle, Geis worked in both agency and association environments, and he brings to his new role a strong background in financial, technology and consumer packaged goods.

Michael Mathias said, “While we have long been known for providing a quantitative, data-driven approach to marketing, Merkle is now working to further broaden and strengthen its program execution offerings. Our primary goal within the Agency Services group is to offer data-driven programs in tandem with Merkle’s core analytical approach, which will enable us to effectively apply creative and production in a way that ultimately changes consumer and donor behavior.”

About Merkle

Merkle is one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing providers of data-driven marketing solutions that enable organizations to maximize the results from their marketing investment. Merkle provides strategic consulting, database services, content solutions, analytical services, interactive and creative services, and production services to Fortune 1000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations. With more than 1,100 employees, the privately held corporation is headquartered near Baltimore in Columbia, Maryland with additional locations in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, Seattle and Hagerstown, Maryland. For more information, contact Merkle at 1-877-9-MERKLE or visit www.merkleinc.com.

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