AD Agencies
Dentsu Aegis Network to acquire majority stakes in Merkle
MUMBAI: Continuing its buying spree, Dentsu Inc.’s Dentsu Aegis Network is eyeing to acquire a majority stake in Baltimore based data marketing firm Merkle that specializes in ‘customer relationship marketing.’
It includes crafting loyalty programs for marketers and managing their vast customer databases that hold reams of consumer information. It also offers a host of other digital marketing and technology services including search advertising and data-driven ad buying and analytics.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed but The Wallstreet Journal’s insights the c’ash deal has an enterprise value of roughly USD 1.5 billion when including Merkle’s debt.’
“Their ability to develop people-based-marketing highlights where this business is going,” Dentsu Aegis Network CEO Jerry Buhlmann told WSJ. . “Convergence is driving our business towards a much greater level of addressability.”
As part of the agreement, Dentsu buy out private equity firm technology Crossover Venture’s stakes in he company along with other shares held by other shareholders. Merkle’s management and employees expect to retain a “significant” minority stake in the firm.
“Closely-held Merkle had $436 million in revenue in 2015 and works on behalf of companies such as MetLife Inc., Geico Corp., and Dell Inc. In recent years, it has invested in ad and marketing technologies to help power its clients’ campaigns. Its systems are closely integrated with Facebook, for example, so Merkle could help target ads for a retailer using the data the retailer collects from its customers such as email addresses,” stated the The Wall Street Journal report.
(Source: The Wall Street Journal)
AD Agencies
Tawana Burnett to lead social and influencer jury at Abby Awards 2026
Meta’s Apac leader takes the reins for Abby Awards, adding flair to social content
MUMBAI: Tawana Burnett, Meta’s Head of Top Accounts and Agencies for Apac, has been named jury chair for the new social content and influencer ,arketing category at the Abby Awards 2026, powered by The One Club | The One Show.
With a 25-year career spanning the US, EMEA, Latam, and Apac, Tawana has worked on campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands and leading advertising agencies. At Meta, she guides CMOs, business leaders, and agencies on harnessing digital and emerging advertising solutions to accelerate brand growth.
Before joining Meta, Tawana led award-winning product teams at Intuit, LeapFrog, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer, helping launch iconic products including QuickBooks, Listerine, Advil, and ChapStick.
A champion of diversity, she was featured in Adweek’s Women Trailblazers in 2019 for mentoring more than 15 women-led startups and for her work on the #biascorrect campaign that promotes women in leadership. She was also recognised in Ad Age’s Global Leading Women Class of 2023, The List in 2024, and served as juror for Spikes Asia and Mad Stars 2024.
Tawana has held leadership roles in the Singapore Inclusion Council at Meta, the IAB SouthEast Asia & India Board, and currently serves on the boards of IAA SEA and the Ronald McDonald House in New York City. Originally from New York, she now lives in Singapore with her husband and daughter.
The Abby Awards 2026, presented by The One Club | The One Show, will be held during Goafest 2026 from 20 to 22 May in Goa, celebrating creativity across the region.
