WASHINGTON – The Howard University School of Business is pleased to announce a new partnership with Merkle, a leading technology-enabled, data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company. Merkle’s multiyear partnership with the Department of Marketing includes a monetary contribution to support consumer marketing training through curriculum development, professional externships for Howard University faculty members, and recruitment efforts.

“We are very grateful to Merkle for their investment in the School of Business and for partnering with our faculty to expand the course offerings in the Department of Marketing,” said Anthony Wilbon, Ph.D., dean of the Howard University School of Business. “This partnership will allow our students and faculty to deepen their expertise in today’s people-based marketing strategies and cutting-edge technology.”

Howard University School of Business faculty will work with Merkle’s professional experts to develop leading-edge database technology and consumer marketing curricula for four courses in the marketing and information systems and supply chain management departments. The new curricula will enrich student learning and expose students to practices consistent with current marketing industry standards. Merkle will also support the School of Business’s programmatic strategies through various activities, including a summer bootcamp, direct access to professional expertise from Merkle leaders inside the classroom, and internships to recruit students for full-time careers at Merkle.

“Merkle is committed to investing in the future workforce and partnering with historically Black colleges and universities in an effort to build a sustainable diverse talent pipeline,” said Craig Dempster, global chief executive officer for Merkle/CXM. “Through our partnership with Howard University, we are ensuring that students in the School of Business gain advanced access to best practices, industry experts and state-of-the-art tools currently being utilized in marketing and customer experience management.”

Two courses are expected to be launched for instruction in Fall 2021. Through this partnership with Howard University, Merkle continues its commitment to engaging and partnering with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to build a sustainable, diverse talent pipeline.

“I am excited about the partnership between Howard University and Merkle and look forward to the possibilities this partnership will deliver in 2021 and beyond. Our partnership is an opportunity for Merkle and the School of Business faculty members to upscale and expand the current marketing curricula and construct new courses,” said Kirt Morris, global chief equity officer for Merkle/CXM. “I am confident that, irrespective of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation and differing abilities, the world-class education that Howard University offers its students, along with its strategic partnerships, will provide enriching experiences for its student body to continue to make an indelible impression upon the global workforce at large.”

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

About Merkle

Merkle is a leading data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company that specializes in the delivery of unique, personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices. For more than 30 years, Fortune 1000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations have partnered with Merkle to maximize the value of their customer portfolios. The company’s heritage in data, technology and analytics forms the foundation for its unmatched skills in understanding consumer insights that drive hyper-personalized marketing strategies. Its combined strengths in performance media, customer experience, customer relationship management, loyalty and enterprise marketing technology drive improved marketing results and competitive advantage. With 11,000 employees, Merkle is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with 50+ additional offices in over 20 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA and APAC. Merkle is a dentsu company. For more information, contact Merkle at 1-877-9-Merkle or visit www.merkleinc.com