Dentsu China names new CEO for Merkle China

Dentsu China has appointed Derek Huang (pictured) as CEO of Merkle China, dentsu’s customer experience management company (CXM).

In his new role, Huang will lead the transformation of Merkle in China to support the growth of dentsu’s CXM capability globally, bringing together strategy, consulting and implementation across experience, digital commerce, data platforms/analytics / AI, martech, customer value optimisation, identity solutions and activation. 

Moreover, Huang will work closely with the broader dentsu China leadership team to elevate dentsu’s customer transformation and technology offerings to entirely new levels, aiming to fully integrate with dentsu’s media and creative capabilities to deliver exceptional, transformative outcomes for clients.

Prior to his new role, Huang helmed the role of head of marketing shared service at YUM China. He led YUM China’s group marketing for brands across creative, media, membership and customer relationship management (CRM) functions as well as consumer insights.

In fact, Huang returns to dentsu where he had previously served almost a decade in leadership roles in China and the Asia Pacific region across media and CXM. Huang’s last role at dentsu before moving to YUM was chief solution & innovation officer in 2021, managing the integration and positioning of dentsu China’s customer experience management integrated solutions into dentsu China’s portfolio of businesses.

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Chun Yin Mak, CEO of dentsu China, said: “Huang brings back a wealth of strategic industry leadership skills to dentsu and I am delighted to welcome him back to lead Merkle and our customer experience management company through a new phase of imaginative transformation growth for our clients, our partners and dentsu.”

Derek Huang, CEO, Merkle China, said: “I am truly honoured to accept this new challenge as CEO, Merkle China. I have had the privilege to work alongside some of the best in the industry at dentsu China and I am truly excited to be back. I humbly look forward to contributing to our clients and our teams and to creating technology for good and impactful business that our teams adore and our partners value - as has always been my goal!”

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to dentsu for more information.

Back in August, Dentsu named Mak as its new CEO for China, succeeding Deric Wong, who stepped down from the role due to personal reasons. Mak is based in Shanghai and reports to Rob Gilby, dentsu APAC CEO. His progressive, results orientated leadership style, commercial record and ability to navigate complex market conditions would support dentsu to deliver results for clients in the China market, according to Gilby.

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