Fast-growing, Stockholm-based distribution company Amuse – which also runs its own in-house record label – has joined independent collective licensing agency Merlin. The move means that Amuse’s artists will benefit from commercial terms of Merlin’s multi-territory licensing deals with the likes of Spotify, TikTok, Pandora, Facebook, Boomplay and Deezer, as well as China’s Alibaba, NetEase Cloud Music and Tencent Music. Merlin strikes agreements with …
Merlin Promotes Charlie Lexton to Chief Operating Officer
In an expanded role, Lexton will continue to oversee Merlin’s deal-making efforts. New remit includes oversight of Merlin’s Data Analytics practice alongside commercial and business affairs. Merlin, the digital licensing hub for the world’s independent music sector, has today announced the promotion of Charlie Lexton to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Lexton now oversees a London-based …
Merlin and TikTok Agree to a Landmark Global Music Licensing Partnership
Merlin, the digital licensing hub for the world’s independent music sector, has entered into a multi-territory partnership with TikTok, the world’s leading destination for short-form mobile video with a mission to inspire creativity and bring joy. The deal is effective immediately and represents a significant music partnership. It means the world’s leading independent music repertoire will be licensed for use …
Merlin Appoints Jeremy Sirota as the New Chief Executive Officer
Sirota joins from Facebook’s Music Team Merlin diversifies its board, adding eight new executives from Australia, Brazil, Nigeria, the Netherlands, North America and South Korea Epitaph’s Dave Hansen appointed Merlin’s Executive Chairperson Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the world’s independent label sector, has today announced the appointment of Jeremy Sirota as the organisation’s new CEO. Sirota, a widely …
Merlin’s Jim Mahoney Promoted to VP, Global Operations
Merlin, the global rights agency for the independent label sector, today announced that Jim Mahoney is promoted with immediate effect to the newly created role of VP, Global Operations. Joining the Merlin team in October 2014 as General Manager US, Jim has overseen the establishment and growth of the organisation’s North American operation – providing a primary contact for Merlin’s …
Merlin Extends Otto Partnership for Another 3 Years
Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector, has extended its partnership with OTTO, the analytics and reporting application that powers its members online dashboard and processes all Digital Service Providers’́ sales reports and streaming activity. Launched in 2014, the bespoke dashboard allows Merlin’s global membership of independent labels and distributors to securely track and manage all …
Merlin Reveals Record Revenue Distributions in New 2019 Membership Report
– Since opening for business, Merlin has paid in excess of $2bn to thousands of independent la-bels and distributors worldwide. While it took 9 years to distribute our first billion dollars, it has taken only 18 months to distribute our second – $845m was paid to independent label and distributor members between April 2018 and March 2019 – including more than …
Charles Caldas to Step Down as Merlin Ceo
Charles Caldas has announced that he will step down as CEO of Merlin at the end of 2019 after more than 12 years at the helm of the global digital rights agency. Continuing his current duties until then, Charles is working with the Merlin board to ensure a smooth transition for the organisation. Charles relocated to the UK from Australia in 2007 …
Akira Nomoto Appointed as General Manager, Merlin Japan
– Spotify Japan’s former Director of Licensing and Label Relations to spearhead expansion of Merlin’s activities – Kaoruko Hill promoted to Head of Member Services and Operations for Merlin Japan Merlin, the global music rights agency for the independent record label sector, is delighted to announce the appointment of Akira Nomoto as full-time General Manager, Merlin Japan. Effective immediately, Akira …
Mixcloud and Merlin Network Announce Direct Licensing Deal
London, 27 November 2018– Mixcloud, the audio streaming platform that’s fostering a global community for audio culture, has signed a multi-year direct licensing agreement with the Merlin Network, the global music rights agency representing the independent record label sector. Mixcloud’s agreement with Merlin brings independent labels and their recording artists into the mix, alongside Mixcloud’s recent agreements with Universal Music Group …
Merlin Reveals Streaming Growth for Independent Label Members in Japan
– Merlin’s Tokyo office celebrates its second anniversary as distributions to Merlin’s Japan-based members increase 200% year-on-year – Merlin CEO, Charles Caldas, to deliver keynote speech on “global growth” today at TIMM 2018 Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector, celebrates two years since the opening of its Japanese office – with Chief Executive, Charles Caldas, …
Merlin Responds to Global Demand for Independent Music With UK & Americas Appointments
– Emma Robinson (Member Services Manager) & Leeza Panayiotou (Manager, Legal and Business Affairs) join the London office – Poppy Waring promoted to Member Services Assistant – Bela Zecker to join Merlin’s New York office on October 29th as Member Services & Operations Manager, Americas Merlin has today announced the appointment of three new staff members, boosting both its Member Services …
Merlin 10th Anniversary “Impact Report” to Celebrate Global Success of its Independent Members
MERLIN PUBLISHES 10TH ANNIVERSARY “IMPACT REPORT” TO CELEBRATE GLOBAL SUCCESS OF ITS INDEPENDENT LABEL MEMBERSHIP – HIGHLIGHTS KEY MARKET TRENDS FOR INDIE LABELS, FEATURING CASE STUDIES & NEW DATA FROM MERLIN’S ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY – ANNUAL REVENUES SURGE TO $0.5BN+ – MEMBERS WITNESS TENFOLD EARNINGS GROWTH FROM LATAM AND EIGHTFOLD FROM ASIA OVER LAST THREE YEARS – ½ TN STREAM ANALYSIS …
Ten Years: Merlin Expands Global Team and Celebrates A Decade of Growth
– Marta de la Hoz, Chaida Kapfunde and Quentin Martins will extend the level of service and expertise offered to Merlin’s independent label members – 2017 saw highest influx of new members. Today, 24th May 2018, Merlin celebrates its tenth anniversary as global digital rights agency for the independent label sector with the announcement of three key new hires; Marta …
SXSW 2018: Merlin to Reveal Global Consumption Boom for Independent Record Labels
Merlin’s 2017 Latin American earnings increase five-fold in three years – US member labels see streaming revenues from LATAM territories almost double as a percentage of their business Brazil is now the 6th biggest-earning territory for Merlin’s independent label members – ahead of France, Australia and Canada Merlin CEO Charles Caldas to be interviewed on 10 years of Merlin at SXSW today …
Merlin Sets A New Path in China
Landmark non-exclusive partnerships with NetEase, Alibaba and Tencent lay long-term foundations for the world’s most important independent record labels Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector has today announced its first participation in the fast-evolving Chinese music market – agreeing a series of strategic non-exclusive licensing partnerships with the country’s five leading digital music services: NetEase …
Charles Caldas Listed as One of Billboards 100 Power Players
In Merlin’s 10th anniversary year, Charles Caldas is recognised as one of the 100 most influential industry leaders worldwide. Billboard’s Power 100 list can be read here: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8096144/billboard-2018-power-100-list
Merlin Announces Board Election Results For 2017-19 Epitaph’s Dave Hansen Is Elected Chairman
Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the world’s independent label sector, has today announced results of its biennial board elections – including the election of a new Chairman, with Dave Hansen, Epitaph’s SVP of Business Development, replacing Beggars Group founder Martin Mills, who is stepping down by rotation. Martin served as Chairman since 2011, Merlin’s second following the tenure of Bob Frank, and …
Dubset And Merlin Agree to Partnership Covering Independent Labels
Merlin Deal Expands MixBANK Catalog to Over 30 Million Tracks Across Nearly 40,000 Independent and Major Labels DubsetMedia, a company bringing transparency, control, and new catalog royalties to rights holders, today announcedthe company has reached an agreement on a partnership with Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the world’s independent label sector. Under the agreement, Dubset will immediately begin …
A Landmark Day: Merlin Announces A Billion Dollars Paid to Independent Record Labels
In a landmark day for independent music, Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector, has announced its billionth dollar in distributions. Encapsulating sentiment from leading music business figures, Darius Van Arman, co-owner of the Secretly Label Group (Bon Iver, Angel Olsen, ANOHNI, Damien Jurado, Mitski, Dinosaur Jr) commented: “Thanks to Merlin, independent music companies can compete …
Merlin Member Survey 2017: Distributions Grow Eightfold in Four Years To $353m
MERLIN MEMBER SURVEY 2017 A great leap forward, with one step back Audio streaming growth outstrips video 3-to-1 as distributions to independent labels hit $353m 8th June, New York: – Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector, has today unveiled results of their 2017 member survey at A2IM’s annual meeting. Now in its fifth year, the survey …
Merlin Deal Heralds Boost for Master Quality Audio
MERLIN DEAL HERALDS BOOST FOR MASTER QUALITY AUDIO London, 15 May 2017 – MQA and Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector, have today announced a multi-year agreement that will support the world’s best-known independent labels to encode their master recordings in MQA’s industry-leading technology. The partnership will boost the uptake and growth ofmaster quality audio streaming, …
Merlin Announces 25% Reduction in Administration Fees for Members
Merlin announces 25% reduction in administration fees for members as team expands • New admin fee of 1.5% of revenues represents the sixth reduction in five years, and follows Merlin’s recently-announced multi-year global license agreement with Spotify • Helen Alexander joins as Finance Director to expand Merlin’s team 26th April 2017:- Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the world’s independent label …
Spotify And Merlin Agree to New Multi-Year Global License Agreement
Spotify and Merlin agree to new multi-year global license agreement for the world’s leading independent record labels Spotify, the leading global music streaming service, and Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector, today announced a new multi-year license agreement – ensuring the world’s leading independent record labels and their artists will remain at the core of …
