Global digital rights agency Merlin expands service to global members with numerous hires

Merlin, global digital rights agency for the world’s independent label sector, intends to expand its services to its member labels around the world with a number of hires.

Emma Robinson, former senior account manager at Name PR, joins as member services manager, while Cooking Vinyl Group’s Leeza Panayiotou is appointed to the newly created role of legal and business affairs manager.

Both will be based in the London office alongside Poppy Waring, who is promoted from general assistant to member services assistant.

Both report to Tom Deakin, director, global member services.

Joining the New York office on October 29 as member services & operations manager for the Americas is Bela Zecker.

Following roles at Ninja Tune and Really Happening Management, fluent Spanish speaker Bela will focus heavily on the Latin markets where Merlin members’ digital earnings have increased more than tenfold in the last three years.

The news follows recent partnerships with Facebook, Alibaba, NetEase, Tencent and Yandex, bringing Merlin’s number of global licences with new generation digital music services to 25 – which the agency says is a testament to the considerable demand for its members’ music across the world.

Charles Caldas, CEO, Merlin said: “As a global organisation it is crucial that Merlin can react to the sustained demand for independent music and provide the best possible service for our expanding membership.

“This investment in our staffing will allow us to do that.

“Wherever in the world they are based, our continued goal is for Merlin members to derive the maximum impact from our global licensing partnerships and to help grow their digital business.”

Jim Mahoney, general manager, Merlin USA said: “This is fantastic news for Merlin members.

“Emma, Leeza and Poppy are a real boost to the global team, while Bela’s US expertise ensures that the thousands of indie labels Merlin represents will continue to benefit from the extraordinary growth we’re seeing in recorded markets across Latin America, as well as the rest of the world.”

Merlin’s membership now encompasses tens of thousands of independent labels in 57 countries across all continents.

The organisation’s total membership commands in excess of 12% of the global digital recorded music market.

Merlin has offices in London, New York and Tokyo, with a head office in Amsterdam.