Merge Executive and Leadership Team

Brandon Bate, the Chief Executive Officer at Merge, directs the company's overarching strategy and operational framework. Bate guides the integration of creative, marketing, and technology services, ensuring alignment with the company's mission to deliver impactful client solutions. Overseeing all business units, the Chief Executive Officer drives innovation across experience design, media planning, and analytics. This leadership role involves fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence, essential for MERGE's market position. By championing new initiatives, Brandon Bate ensures the company remains at the forefront of the industry, adapting to evolving client needs and technological advancements. The Chief Executive Officer's focus remains on sustainable growth and expanding MERGE's influence in the market.

Michelle Price, the Chief Financial Officer at Merge, manages the company's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. Price oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation, ensuring MERGE's economic stability and growth. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities extend to managing investor relations and optimizing financial performance across all service lines, from media planning to technology platform development. By implementing robust financial controls, Michelle Price safeguards company assets and supports strategic investments in innovation and market expansion. This critical function ensures that MERGE can effectively fund its creative and technological endeavors, driving profitability and long-term value for stakeholders. Price's expertise is vital for navigating complex market dynamics and maintaining financial integrity.

Jonathan Stuck, the President at Merge, drives strategic growth and operational excellence across key business segments. Stuck oversees the implementation of MERGE's integrated marketing and technology solutions, ensuring client success and market leadership. The President's role involves fostering innovation in areas such as analytics, insights, and platform development, aligning operational efforts with the company's overall vision. By collaborating with other executive leaders, Jonathan Stuck ensures that MERGE's services consistently meet the evolving demands of the market. This leadership position is crucial for translating strategic objectives into tangible business outcomes and expanding the company's reach. Stuck's focus remains on enhancing MERGE's capabilities and market impact.

Maite D'Amico, the President & Chief Creative Officer at Merge, directs the company's creative vision and output. D'Amico leads the development of innovative experience design and marketing strategies, ensuring MERGE's creative work consistently exceeds client expectations. The President & Chief Creative Officer's responsibilities include guiding the creative teams, fostering artistic excellence, and translating complex client needs into compelling visual and strategic solutions. By championing cutting-edge creative approaches, Maite D'Amico ensures MERGE remains a leader in the industry, pushing boundaries in media and technology integration. This role is fundamental to MERGE's identity as a premier creative agency. D'Amico's leadership defines the company's artistic direction and impact.

Kevin Houlihan, the President & Chief Creative Officer at Merge, collaborates to define and execute the company's creative direction. Houlihan focuses on driving innovation in experience design and integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring MERGE's offerings are at the forefront of industry trends. The President & Chief Creative Officer's role involves overseeing the strategic application of creative talent to solve complex business challenges for clients, particularly in technology platform development and analytics. By partnering with Maite D'Amico, Kevin Houlihan ensures a unified and powerful creative vision across MERGE. This dual leadership ensures robust creative output and strategic market positioning, vital for the company's continued success and influence. Houlihan's expertise enhances MERGE's creative capabilities.

Heidi West, the Chief Revenue Officer at Merge, spearheads all revenue-generating activities and sales strategies. West directs the expansion of MERGE's client base and revenue streams, focusing on integrated marketing, PR, and technology platform development services. The Chief Revenue Officer's role involves cultivating strong client relationships and identifying new market opportunities to drive consistent revenue growth. By aligning sales efforts with the company's service offerings, Heidi West ensures that MERGE effectively meets client demands for experience design and analytics. This leadership position is crucial for translating market potential into tangible financial results, solidifying MERGE's position as a leading creative, marketing, and technology partner. West's strategic vision fuels the company's commercial success.

Shirley Pekarek, the Chief Marketing Officer at Merge, shapes the company's brand identity and market positioning. Pekarek directs all marketing initiatives, including public relations and integrated marketing campaigns, to enhance MERGE's visibility and reputation. The Chief Marketing Officer's focus is on communicating the value of MERGE's comprehensive services, from experience design to technology platform development, to target audiences. By developing compelling marketing strategies, Shirley Pekarek drives lead generation and supports the sales team's efforts in securing new business. This role is essential for building brand equity and ensuring MERGE resonates with clients seeking innovative solutions. Pekarek's leadership ensures MERGE's message effectively reaches and influences the market.

Elizabeth Darden, the Chief of Staff at Merge, provides strategic support and operational oversight to the executive leadership team. Darden facilitates cross-functional collaboration, ensuring seamless execution of company initiatives across marketing, technology, and creative services. The Chief of Staff's responsibilities include managing key projects, optimizing internal processes, and enhancing communication channels throughout MERGE. By acting as a key liaison, Elizabeth Darden ensures that strategic objectives are translated into actionable plans, supporting the company's mission to deliver integrated solutions. This role is vital for maintaining operational efficiency and driving the effective implementation of MERGE's business strategy. Darden's contribution ensures cohesive leadership and operational excellence.

Erica Denner, the Chief People Officer at Merge, leads human resources strategy and talent management. Denner cultivates a positive and productive work environment, essential for MERGE's creative and technology-driven operations. The Chief People Officer oversees talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational culture, ensuring the company attracts and retains top talent across all departments. By championing employee well-being and professional growth, Erica Denner supports the company's ability to deliver innovative solutions in experience design and media planning. This role is critical for building a strong, cohesive team capable of meeting diverse client needs. Denner's leadership ensures MERGE's workforce is aligned with its strategic goals and values.