Merlin, the digital-rights licensing partner for independent music companies, has announced its 2022 board.
The board is elected from and by Merlin’s members and includes representatives from across the world. Merlin will service the tends of thousands of member labels as it strikes deals with digital partners like Facebook, Peloton, Spotify, Snap, YouTube, Apple, TikTok, and Twitch. Half of the board members have been elected to their first term, while 11 members are returning for another term.
Newly Elected Merlin 2022 Board of Directors
- Pascal Bittard | Owner, Idol (France)
- Tom Deakin | Head of EMEA, AudioSalad (UK)
- Sandra Ortega | Director of Global Partnerships, Altafonte (Mexico)
- Louis Posen | President & Executive Director, Hopeless Records (US)
- Jason Taylor | Sales & Label Strategy Director, Redeye (US)
- Yushi Yamashita | President, RightsScale (Japan)
Returning Merlin 2022 Board of Directors
- Marie Clausen | Head of NA and Global Streaming, Ninja Tune (US)
- Michel Lambot | Co-Founder, [PIAS] (Belgium)
- Chris Maund | COO, Mushroom Labels (Australia)
- Carlos Mills | Founder & CEO, Mills Records (Brazil)
- Martin Mills | Founder & Chairman, Beggars Group (UK)
- Michael Ugwu | CEO, Freeme Digital (Nigeria)
- Darius Van Arman | co-CEO of Secretly Group (US)
- Pieter van Rijn | CEO, FUGA (Netherlands)
- Horst Weidenmuller | CEO & Owner, !K7 (Germany)
- Justin West | President & CEO, Secret City (Canada)
Advisors appointed this year include:
- Katie Alberts | COO, Reach Records
- Glen Barros | Managing Partner, Exceleration Music
- Rachel Buswell | Head of Digital Partnerships & Analytics, Domino
- Jennifer Newman Sharpe | GC and Head of Business Affairs, ONErpm
Darius van Arman, who joined Merlin’s Board in 2015, will step into the role of chairman. He succeeds Dave Hansen, who has served in the role since 2019. “Merlin is led by the needs of our diverse and growing membership. We take great pride at Merlin in representing members from every part of the world through trust, access, flexibility, and transparency,” says Jeremy Sirota, Merlin CEO.
“Our board is a vibrant and strong voice from our membership. We’re pleased that our new Board has music industry leaders with such a wide range of expertise. I look forward to their advice, guidance, and perspectives.”
