Merkle hires chief operating officer for EMEA region

Dentsu-owned technology-enabled, data-driven agency Merkle has appointed a new chief operating officer for the EMEA business, charged with implementing technology-based business models, driving automation and growth across the region.

Christiane Georg brings more than 25 years of international business experience in top tier consultancies and general management roles, including spells at TMF Group, ISG, Kantar and PwC in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Merkle says she has a proven record in business innovation and strategy, large-scale digital transformation, data analytics and operational excellence.

The agency insists that clients continue to undergo the organisational transformation required to continuously meet ever changing customer expectations, the ultimate outcome desired by any organisation at a local, regional, and global level.

To achieve this, brands need to make the change required to get their entire business focused around the same KPIs, becoming adaptive organisations that can continuously evolve as consumers’ needs do, Merkle reckons.

Merkle EMEA president Margaret Wagner said: “I am thrilled to have Christiane join our EMEA leadership team. Her deep experience in business innovation, large-scale digital transformation and operational excellence is critical in today’s environment, as we advance and optimise our offering.

“Our business, like that of our clients, needs to be organised to continuously evolve to meet customers’ ever-changing expectations and Christiane’s expertise will ensure we continue to match them.”

Georg added: “It is such an exciting time to be joining Merkle as it continues its rapid expansion across EMEA and evolution as a leader in customer experience transformation.

“Driving operational and organisational excellence at such a fast paced and growth-orientated company while working with clients to navigate complex data and technology decisions is the perfect challenge for someone with my background. This is a great opportunity to work with such an innovative team.”