Merlin Engage Returns for Third Year, Strengthening Community in the Next Generation of Female Leaders 21 Mar 2025
Now entering its third year, Merlin Engage is a pioneering mentorship program to empower women within Merlin's global independent music community. This year, the program expands its focus to foster stronger community-building and welcomes a new cohort of experienced mentors. 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.
Since its launch, Merlin Engage has evolved into a thriving network of executives and future leaders. From 2024 to 2025, the program saw a 70% increase in mentee nominations, reflecting its expanding impact. Feedback from last year's group underscores its transformative nature, with multiple participants describing their experience as "life-changing." Earlier this year, the program introduced an alumni community for Merlin Engage participants. A virtual forum for participants to continue building connections, provide ongoing support, and share valuable insights.
"It's incredibly important to support, encourage, and empower women to expand their career paths in the music industry," said Erman. "We have so much to contribute, and can elevate the level of success of any company if we can access the right leadership opportunities. I hope that by sharing my experiences and guidance, I can help others reach their goals more easily."
NEWS & PRESS
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BandLab Expands Licensing Platform to Connect Artists and Rights Holders to AI Companies, Opening the Door to Legal AI Music Models
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Warner Music Group and Bain Capital announce launch of joint venture to invest up to $1.2 billion in iconic music catalogs
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Chrysalis Records announces Tina McBye as Senior Vice President, Commercial Music Operations
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BRIT School Chair of Trustees Josh Berger CBE Hosts Fundraiser Event at Ronnie Scott's for the UK’s leading free Arts School
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RSA announces David Joseph CBE as new Chief Executive Officer
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Exclusive after show tickets released for sold-out Ladies Who Rock event
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TikTok and Tomorrowland announce a global partnership to bring the best of electronic music to global audiences
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The UK's Official biggest songs and albums of 2025 so far revealed
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Open letter from WIN CEO to European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera
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Taylor Swift and Charli XCX Help Attract Record 23.5 Million Music Tourists Spending £10 Billion at UK Music Events - New Report Reveals
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BMG Brings Seeed catalog under one roof
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Amazon Launches the Ultimate Oasis Fan Destination
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Apple Music celebrates 10 years with the launch of a new global hub for artists designed to foster creativity and connection
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Casio Sessions applications close soon!
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Zebralution Announces Promotions and New Appointments
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Universal Music Group and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music establish the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship to honor the legacy of a music pioneer
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Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Breakthrough Singer-Songwriter Noeline Hofmann
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Framework to feature Keinemusik's Adam Port for rare Hollywood Boulevard takeover
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AEG officially takes the reins at Watford Colosseum following major refurbishment milestone
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PPL makes payment of £96.7 million to 139,000 performers and recording rightsholders
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HFA's Rumblefish Provides Music Rights Administration Services to ByteDance
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Jack Delaney promoted to General Manager at Murray Chalmers PR
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“Unimaginable in any other sector†- Impala’s Helen Smith on planned Downtown acquisition
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Wise Music Group signs publishing deal with Gloria De Oliveira
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ESNS turns 40: ‘Europe Calling’ to lead anniversary celebrations in January
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Cliff Fluet to Lead Board of Industry Leaders as Chair of Music Technology UK
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SymphonyOS Gives Maestro, its AI Marketing Assistant, a Powerful Upgrade
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New board of the European Music Council elected
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THE HEADLINES
The Velvet Sundown may be the first breakout AI band from Suno (see Digital)
Amid cuts, WMG to "continue to supercharge our capabilities in long-term artist, songwriter, and catalog development" (see Business)
WIN CEO writes to European Commission Vice-President over Universal's acquisition of Downtown (see Comment)
If Spotify truly champions discovery, it should champion fair compensation from the first stream (see Comment)
Selected Glastonbury coverage (see News, Features, Showbiz, Reviews)
Streaming is both retail and radio – it shouldn’t be (see Comment)
Impala’s Helen Smith on UMG's planned Downtown acquisition (see Comment)
Retiring Arista CEO David Massey shares his top 10 career highlights (see Features)
Budweiser’s royalty loophole ad: How AI and social have changed the value of creators (see Comment)
When did making music get so lonely? (see Comment)
How will Taylor Swift’s masters ownership saga be remembered? (see Audio&Visual)
The copyright war between the AI industry and creatives (see Comment)
Interview: Lyor Cohen, the head of YouTube Music (see Features)
The ‘pure’ songwriter is disappearing – and it’s everyone’s problem (see Comment)
What 20 years of YouTube reveals about creativity’s future (see Features)