Merlin

Merlin is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Coda Music Inc, a first-of-a-kind platform set out to redefine how fans connect with artists and discover music. Through an interactive, artist-led experience, Coda Music brings fans together with community-driven recommendations, discussions, and exclusive content. Our members’ premium music catalog will help to power Coda Music’s new platform—while they gain access to their cutting-edge social and discovery features. Artists can engage with vibrant fan communities, sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content and forging deep, meaningful bonds with their audiences. Coda Music also introduces fan-driven discovery, where users follow both artists and fellow fans, exchanging recommendations and shaping music conversations in real time. Reimagine streaming with Coda Music and Merlin. Read all about it here! https://lnkd.in/eGVRfNnB

✨ Fantastic interview in Music Ally with Merlin Board Member Marie Clausen discussing the impact and importance of our Merlin Engage mentorship program! ✨ In the interview, Marie dives into why mentorship is crucial for tackling the leadership gap in the music industry, where only 13.9% of CEOs are women. She perfectly captures the challenge: "...the issue is that the ladder to the top is broken. Our program is designed to fix that." She highlights that Engage focuses on cultivating the next generation of female leaders, recognizing that gender-balanced leadership consistently yields better financial results. Making real progress, as Marie notes, means bringing everyone to the table to work together towards lasting change. We're incredibly proud of Merlin Engage and its role in fostering talent, creating 'win-win' connections, and driving real, positive change. Thanks to Music Ally and Stuart Dredge for the coverage! Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eKzPBxfF

ICYMI: Merlin is proud to be recognized on Fast Company's 2025 Most Innovative Companies list! We're dedicated to empowering the independent music sector, using initiatives like Merlin Connect to break down long standing barriers and fuel innovation. 🚀 "Merlin Connect is a win-win for independent artists and emerging tech platforms alike... The initiative, focused on startups and scaleups that might need music for a variety of uses, offers a simplified approach to licensing by giving companies access to a sizable selection of cleared music."

Heading to Winter Music Conference or Miami Music Week? 🌴 Interested in learning more about how Merlin helps independent music rights holders thrive in the digital landscape? Merlin's Member Relations Manager, Leah Kraft, will be at Winter Music Conference from Wednesday, March 26 to Friday, March 28 and ready to answer your questions!

We are thrilled to welcome our newest cohort of mentors and mentees to the Merlin Engage community! 🎉 Crafted specifically for Merlin's membership, Merlin Engage is a unique mentorship program designed to cultivate the next generation of female leaders in the independent music world. By connecting rising professionals with senior executives, the six-month program fosters career development, leadership training, and valuable networking opportunities We've experienced incredible growth since our launch in 2023, with a remarkable 70% increase in nominations this year! ✨ This year's program also expands to include even more community-building opportunities alongside peer support and skill development. This year's mentors include: Amy Dietz, Anne Aman Jenniskens, Bria F., Chloé van Bergen, Clare Mckinney, Dionna Johnson, Emma Lomas, Sebesteny-Gallasz Eniko, Liz Erman (was Goodman), Marie Clausen, Megan Jasper, Narin Karadaghi, Nitsa Kalispera, Patra Sinner, and Sue Lucarelli. This year's mentees include: Allison Kleshefsky, Diana Schweinbeck, Dominique de Solminihac, Francesca Caldara, Gianna Archetti, Jovana Medic, Lexie Viklund, Lisa Riepe, Maiko Okabe, Maya Kalev, Naomi Bressani Nele Knueppel, Nicole Abea 🔜 GDC, Phoebe Petridis, and Rachel White. A huge thank you to Billboard and Dan Rhys for their continued coverage of the Merlin Engage program! 🙏 https://lnkd.in/eFV6dUg2

Exciting news! Merlin has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2025, showcasing our ongoing commitment to empowering independent music in the digital space. At the heart of this recognition is Merlin Connect, our streamlined licensing solution that's revolutionizing how emerging platforms connect with quality independent music. "Innovation at Merlin is about finding meaningful solutions for independent music and the broader digital ecosystem," said Jeremy Sirota, CEO. "Merlin Connect exemplifies our ability to break down long-standing industry barriers. By making independent music more accessible to platforms that wouldn’t otherwise be able to efficiently license it, we’re helping shape the future of music in tech." This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing team. Most importantly, it reflects the innovative spirit and transformative impact our members and their artists have on the music industry. Full announcement: https://lnkd.in/eyEyY9z9 More info about Merlin Connect: https://lnkd.in/eVgp87sv #FCMostInnovative

🌟 We're incredibly proud to see Daniele Yandel, our Senior Manager of Member Operations, featured in Complete Music Update's Horizon Q&A series! This series shines a light on the future of the music industry, and Daniele is a perfect example. Starting by forming a band and then organically building a DIY record label to release their music, Daniele's journey exemplifies hands-on learning in the independent sector. This experience led her to mastering the intricacies of digital Rights Management Systems and Content Management Systems, directly enabling her to empower Merlin's members. Her insightful interview covers topics including: evolving revenue streams, mastering digital tools, and staying informed on industry trends to navigate the future. A huge congratulations to Daniele, and thanks to Complete Music Update for the feature! 🎉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eMryzmEQ

Merlin Board Member Marie Clausen (Managing Director, North America at Ninja Tune) shared her critical perspective on AI's impact on independent music with Music Business Worldwide. As Marie explains, "We have a choice to make. The culture that independent music brings is priceless – perhaps just start by paying what it’s worth." At Merlin, we believe that, when developed and implemented responsibly, AI technologies can be additive to the creative landscape. We are committed to working with AI companies that prioritize artist-first innovation and shaping policies that protect our members. Read Marie’s full perspective: https://lnkd.in/eMM5Tats

SXSW 2025 is finally here and Merlin and our members are Austin-bound! 🤘 Check out this fantastic lineup of executives and artists from across our membership speaking throughout the week. Featuring Better Noise Music , IDOL, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., CD Baby, Too Lost, ONErpm, Stem Disintermedia Inc., Beggars Group, Amuse, EMPIRE, VP MUSIC GROUP INC, and Ninja Tune.

Get ready! We're just days away from welcoming a new cohort of Merlin Engage mentors and mentees, empowering the next generation of female leaders in independent music. Prepare to meet the inspiring women joining the Engage community! #MerlinEngage #WomenInMusic #Leadership #Mentorship