Welcome to Merkle MorningsThe Near-Future ofConsumer Trends

Are you planning for change or bracing for impact? Acceleration of AI and emerging technologies, changing populations, and rapidly shifting consumer tastes - set against Europe's dynamic macroeconomic landscape - are driving profound change in business and consumer buying behaviour.
Holden Bale
Holden Bale
Benoit Rossignol
Benoit Rossignol
Apsara Chidambaram
Apsara Chidambaram
Bobby Hollingsworth
Bobby Hollingsworth
Maria Rados Ivemyr
Maria Rados Ivemyr
Merkle Mornings

Register now

Copenhagen23.09.2025
08:30-10:15

Dagmar Teatret, Jernbanegade 2

Stockholm30.09.2025
08:30-10:15

Merkle Office, Åsögatan 108

Merkle Mornings coffee cup
Merkle Mornings audience
Merkle Mornings stage
The TrendsTransforming Europe

Brands in Europe must remain laser-focused on two complex imperatives: understanding and adapting to their customers' rapidly changing needs while grappling with an internet shifting in a fundamental way. From the emergence of LLMs to a flood of AI-generated content, seismic shifts will disrupt how we think about customer experience, business agility, “channels and funnels,” and the act of selling and engaging online.

Merkle Mornings will explore new insights from consumers across 15+ Europe countries, including flagship research presented at Shoptalk Europe 2025; the latest business forecasts for European B2C commerce; perspective on the state of business agility based on surveys with 800+ executives; and a perspective on how ‘digital’ will change dramatically over the next 3 years.

Meet the morningspeakers

Slide 1 of 5

Holden Bale leads global strategy for Merkle, dentsu’s award-winning transformation consultancy. With experience spanning brands like Spotify, McDonald’s, Target, and Starbucks, he helps the world’s leading companies reimagine business models, customer experiences, CRM & loyalty, and digital commerce. At Merkle, Holden oversees 16,000+ experts across strategy, design, technology, data, and marketing – delivering $35B+ in revenue impact for clients annually.

Holden Bale

Global Chief Strategy Officer @Merkle

Copenhagen, Stockholm

Holden Bale leads global strategy for Merkle, dentsu’s award-winning transformation consultancy. With experience spanning brands like Spotify, McDonald’s, Target, and Starbucks, he helps the world’s leading companies reimagine business models, customer experiences, CRM & loyalty, and digital commerce. At Merkle, Holden oversees 16,000+ experts across strategy, design, technology, data, and marketing – delivering $35B+ in revenue impact for clients annually.

Benoit Rossignol leads Partner Solution Engineering for Shopify in EMEA, helping GSIs, SIs, and ISVs accelerate commerce transformation. With 15+ years across Europe and APAC, he has enabled global brands with scalable commerce and CRM solutions, focusing on partner success and ecosystems that drive innovation and growth.

Benoit Rossignol

Head of Partner Solution Engineering EMEA @Shopify

Copenhagen

Benoit Rossignol leads Partner Solution Engineering for Shopify in EMEA, helping GSIs, SIs, and ISVs accelerate commerce transformation. With 15+ years across Europe and APAC, he has enabled global brands with scalable commerce and CRM solutions, focusing on partner success and ecosystems that drive innovation and growth.

Apsara, Head of Alliances EMEA at Shopify, is based in London with 20+ years in technology and media. She has built businesses, GTM strategies, and partner ecosystems across USA, APAC, and EMEA. At Shopify, her team drives growth with GSIs, ISVs, and Private Equity partners.

Apsara Chidambaram

Head of Alliances EMEA @Shopify

Stockholm

Apsara, Head of Alliances EMEA at Shopify, is based in London with 20+ years in technology and media. She has built businesses, GTM strategies, and partner ecosystems across USA, APAC, and EMEA. At Shopify, her team drives growth with GSIs, ISVs, and Private Equity partners.

Bobby has 15+ years in global digital agencies, leading enterprise platform projects and marketing campaigns for major brands. Formerly GM of dentsu Melbourne and Holden lead, he now heads the Northern Europe Growth Team, driving business growth and customer experience.

Bobby Hollingsworth

President @Merkle Northern Europe

Copenhagen

Bobby has 15+ years in global digital agencies, leading enterprise platform projects and marketing campaigns for major brands. Formerly GM of dentsu Melbourne and Holden lead, he now heads the Northern Europe Growth Team, driving business growth and customer experience.

Maria has 15+ years in digital marketing and customer experience. She helps clients transform their business with innovative, data-driven solutions, leading teams that deliver strategy, design, and optimization of customer journeys and marketing platforms.

Maria Rados Ivemyr

Operations Director & Consultant @Merkle Sweden

Stockholm

Maria has 15+ years in digital marketing and customer experience. She helps clients transform their business with innovative, data-driven solutions, leading teams that deliver strategy, design, and optimization of customer journeys and marketing platforms.

Holden Bale leads global strategy for Merkle, dentsu’s award-winning transformation consultancy. With experience spanning brands like Spotify, McDonald’s, Target, and Starbucks, he helps the world’s leading companies reimagine business models, customer experiences, CRM & loyalty, and digital commerce. At Merkle, Holden oversees 16,000+ experts across strategy, design, technology, data, and marketing – delivering $35B+ in revenue impact for clients annually.

Holden Bale

Global Chief Strategy Officer @Merkle

Copenhagen, Stockholm

Holden Bale leads global strategy for Merkle, dentsu’s award-winning transformation consultancy. With experience spanning brands like Spotify, McDonald’s, Target, and Starbucks, he helps the world’s leading companies reimagine business models, customer experiences, CRM & loyalty, and digital commerce. At Merkle, Holden oversees 16,000+ experts across strategy, design, technology, data, and marketing – delivering $35B+ in revenue impact for clients annually.

Benoit Rossignol leads Partner Solution Engineering for Shopify in EMEA, helping GSIs, SIs, and ISVs accelerate commerce transformation. With 15+ years across Europe and APAC, he has enabled global brands with scalable commerce and CRM solutions, focusing on partner success and ecosystems that drive innovation and growth.

Benoit Rossignol

Head of Partner Solution Engineering EMEA @Shopify

Copenhagen

Benoit Rossignol leads Partner Solution Engineering for Shopify in EMEA, helping GSIs, SIs, and ISVs accelerate commerce transformation. With 15+ years across Europe and APAC, he has enabled global brands with scalable commerce and CRM solutions, focusing on partner success and ecosystems that drive innovation and growth.

Apsara, Head of Alliances EMEA at Shopify, is based in London with 20+ years in technology and media. She has built businesses, GTM strategies, and partner ecosystems across USA, APAC, and EMEA. At Shopify, her team drives growth with GSIs, ISVs, and Private Equity partners.

Apsara Chidambaram

Head of Alliances EMEA @Shopify

Stockholm

Apsara, Head of Alliances EMEA at Shopify, is based in London with 20+ years in technology and media. She has built businesses, GTM strategies, and partner ecosystems across USA, APAC, and EMEA. At Shopify, her team drives growth with GSIs, ISVs, and Private Equity partners.

Bobby has 15+ years in global digital agencies, leading enterprise platform projects and marketing campaigns for major brands. Formerly GM of dentsu Melbourne and Holden lead, he now heads the Northern Europe Growth Team, driving business growth and customer experience.

Bobby Hollingsworth

President @Merkle Northern Europe

Copenhagen

Bobby has 15+ years in global digital agencies, leading enterprise platform projects and marketing campaigns for major brands. Formerly GM of dentsu Melbourne and Holden lead, he now heads the Northern Europe Growth Team, driving business growth and customer experience.

Maria has 15+ years in digital marketing and customer experience. She helps clients transform their business with innovative, data-driven solutions, leading teams that deliver strategy, design, and optimization of customer journeys and marketing platforms.

Maria Rados Ivemyr

Operations Director & Consultant @Merkle Sweden

Stockholm

Maria has 15+ years in digital marketing and customer experience. She helps clients transform their business with innovative, data-driven solutions, leading teams that deliver strategy, design, and optimization of customer journeys and marketing platforms.

Holden Bale leads global strategy for Merkle, dentsu’s award-winning transformation consultancy. With experience spanning brands like Spotify, McDonald’s, Target, and Starbucks, he helps the world’s leading companies reimagine business models, customer experiences, CRM & loyalty, and digital commerce. At Merkle, Holden oversees 16,000+ experts across strategy, design, technology, data, and marketing – delivering $35B+ in revenue impact for clients annually.

Holden Bale

Global Chief Strategy Officer @Merkle

Copenhagen, Stockholm

Holden Bale leads global strategy for Merkle, dentsu’s award-winning transformation consultancy. With experience spanning brands like Spotify, McDonald’s, Target, and Starbucks, he helps the world’s leading companies reimagine business models, customer experiences, CRM & loyalty, and digital commerce. At Merkle, Holden oversees 16,000+ experts across strategy, design, technology, data, and marketing – delivering $35B+ in revenue impact for clients annually.

Benoit Rossignol leads Partner Solution Engineering for Shopify in EMEA, helping GSIs, SIs, and ISVs accelerate commerce transformation. With 15+ years across Europe and APAC, he has enabled global brands with scalable commerce and CRM solutions, focusing on partner success and ecosystems that drive innovation and growth.

Benoit Rossignol

Head of Partner Solution Engineering EMEA @Shopify

Copenhagen

Benoit Rossignol leads Partner Solution Engineering for Shopify in EMEA, helping GSIs, SIs, and ISVs accelerate commerce transformation. With 15+ years across Europe and APAC, he has enabled global brands with scalable commerce and CRM solutions, focusing on partner success and ecosystems that drive innovation and growth.

Apsara, Head of Alliances EMEA at Shopify, is based in London with 20+ years in technology and media. She has built businesses, GTM strategies, and partner ecosystems across USA, APAC, and EMEA. At Shopify, her team drives growth with GSIs, ISVs, and Private Equity partners.

Apsara Chidambaram

Head of Alliances EMEA @Shopify

Stockholm

Apsara, Head of Alliances EMEA at Shopify, is based in London with 20+ years in technology and media. She has built businesses, GTM strategies, and partner ecosystems across USA, APAC, and EMEA. At Shopify, her team drives growth with GSIs, ISVs, and Private Equity partners.

Bobby has 15+ years in global digital agencies, leading enterprise platform projects and marketing campaigns for major brands. Formerly GM of dentsu Melbourne and Holden lead, he now heads the Northern Europe Growth Team, driving business growth and customer experience.

Bobby Hollingsworth

President @Merkle Northern Europe

Copenhagen

Bobby has 15+ years in global digital agencies, leading enterprise platform projects and marketing campaigns for major brands. Formerly GM of dentsu Melbourne and Holden lead, he now heads the Northern Europe Growth Team, driving business growth and customer experience.

Maria has 15+ years in digital marketing and customer experience. She helps clients transform their business with innovative, data-driven solutions, leading teams that deliver strategy, design, and optimization of customer journeys and marketing platforms.

Maria Rados Ivemyr

Operations Director & Consultant @Merkle Sweden

Stockholm

Maria has 15+ years in digital marketing and customer experience. She helps clients transform their business with innovative, data-driven solutions, leading teams that deliver strategy, design, and optimization of customer journeys and marketing platforms.

Merkle MorningsAgenda

08:30

Walk in with coffee and croissants

09:00

Introduction by Bobby Hollingsworth/Maria Rados Ivemyr @Merkle

09:05

Keynote by Holden Bale @Merkle

09:50

Keynote by Benoit Rossignol/Apsara Chidambaram @Shopify

10:10

Q&A

10:15

Coffee and networking
Merkle Mornings people
Merkle Mornings speaker
Merkle Mornings drinking coffee
Merkle MorningKey takeaways

In this session, you’ll learn:

  • The latest data on European consumer behaviour and digital commerce
  • How brands are approaching AI and modernizing their business
  • Emerging case studies and a future view of ‘what good looks like’ in customer – and AI agent – experience

ne.marketing@merkle.comwww.merkle.comCookie List

© 2025 Merkle Inc.