Charles Caldas to step down as Merlin CEO

18 June 2019 - Press release

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 to become Merlin's CEO, responsible for the construction of the organisation prior to it opening for business in May 2008 and leading it ever since.

During his tenure, Charles has overseen the expansion of Merlin into the globally recognised entity it is today, with an exceptionally experienced management team based in offices in Amsterdam, London, New York and Tokyo.

Merlin now represents over 850 members from 63 countries around the globe, who collectively command over 12% of the world’s digital music market. Merlin announced this week that it had distributed over $2bn to members since launch.

Under Charles’ guidance, Merlin has struck landmark deals with the world’s leading digital music platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, Deezer, SoundCloud, Pandora and Facebook as well as a series of strategic non-exclusive licensing partnerships in China with NetEase Cloud Music, Ali Music Group and Tencent Music Entertainment. Merlin has in addition returned significant revenues to the independent sector via several successful copyright infringement actions, the Warner Music/Parlophone divestment agreement and the sale of Merlin’s shares in Spotify. 

Charles received IMPALA’s annual outstanding contribution award in 2013. He was included in the Billboard Magazine International Power List in 2014 and 2017, as well as the Billboard Power 100 in 2018 and 2019. He was also featured in the Variety Magazine International Music Leaders lists in 2018 and 2019. 

Charles Caldas, CEO, Merlin

“Having the chance to contribute to taking Merlin from a raw idea hatched by a few indie visionaries to the fast-growing global enterprise it is today has truly been a privilege. What we have all achieved over the past 12 years is remarkable, and the revenues we are now generating were unthinkable back in 2007. This has easily been the most rewarding work of my life, and for that opportunity I thank our members, our board, and especially my incredible team for their support. I am extremely proud to have represented them and am confident that Merlin’s dynamic, market-leading membership of true independents face a very bright future.”  

Quote – Dave Hansen, Merlin Chairman

“Over the past 12 years, Charles in his role as the CEO of Merlin changed everything for independents. His vision, leadership and hard work helped Merlin forge a path towards true independence for all of our members. Charles has built a great foundation with an amazing team and Merlin will continue to be strong in the future. We wish Charles great success and happiness as he moves onto his next chapter at the end of this year.”

Quote – Martin Mills, Merlin Chairman 2010-2017

“Merlin and the whole independent community owe Charles a huge debt of thanks for what he has achieved for and with us, without which we’d have a slippery slope instead of a level playing field. We wish him all the very best in his next venture, which we trust will be musical, and within our universe. Merlin will continue to go from strength to strength, thanks largely to the structure and team that Charles has put in place. "