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
2025 Through Music Video: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” Was the Biggest U.K. Premiere on Vevo
Skye Newman and Olivia Dean were also among the chart newcomers in the UK on Vevo A first for K-Pop, JENNIE’s “like JENNIE” was the most watched premiere on Vevo globally UK fans rewatch “Die With a Smile”, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”,...more
It's Beginning to Sound A Lot Like Last Year - new analysis finds Christmas music is on repeat
New study finds 63% of the songs in the 2024 Christmas Top 40 were exactly the same as the year before In contrast no songs were repeated in any of the Christmas Top 40s between 2000 and 2005 Fairytale of New York has...more
Music Studios Business Rates
The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves 11 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA Dear Chancellor, 7 December 2025 As you are doubtless aware, the United Kingdom is famous for its music industry, and part of that is being home to the finest recording studios in the...more
Chancellor's budget sparks alarm as nightlife businesses say Treasury modelling fails reality, new flash poll shows
The lights are dimming on Britain’s night-time economy. From buzzing pubs to packed music venues, local businesses are sounding the alarm after a new flash survey of 345 night-time economy businesses revealed that the Chancellor’s latest Budget will hit them...more
Producer/musician/multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin signs worldwide publishing deal with Peermusic
Global independent music publishing company, Peermusic, has signed producer, musician, and multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin to a worldwide publishing administration deal as announced today by Jamie Cerreta, President U.S. and Canada, Peermusic and Tuff Morgan, Vice President of A&R, Peermusic. Through the deal, Peermusic will also represent Terrace Martin...more
Drowned in Sound Announces Partnership with Qobuz
25 year old music publication and ethical streaming platform partner to support mission-driven journalism and music discovery Drowned in Sound, the independent music publication, podcast and online community, has today announced a new partnership with Qobuz, the independently-owned high-quality music streaming...more
Saudi Arabia’s EIF and Legends Global score big joint venture announcement
Saudi Arabia’s Event Investment Fund (EIF) and Legends Global have announced a joint venture to support the Kingdom’s vision and investment in its fast-growing venue industry. This partnership will become the venue operator for venue projects within the Kingdom of Saudi...more
Angry Mob Music Signs Foreign Sub-Publishing Agreement With D-Version Music Publishing in Greece
Angry Mob Music, an independent music publisher boldly serving songwriters, composers, artists, and creatives, has signed a new sub-publishing agreement with D-Version Music Publishing to represent their catalog in Greece, bringing the Angry Mob Music catalog to the Greek market for...more
Universal Music Group announces new UMusic shops in New York and London
Today, Universal Music Group (UMG), the world-leader in music-based entertainment has announced the launch of two UMusic Shop locations in New York and London, dedicated to reimagining the fan experience. Each UMusic Shop offers exclusive custom collections and pieces inspired by UMG's iconic artists,...more
Jeff Sosnow named President of Reprise Records
Widely admired exec takes on new role alongside his post as EVP of A&R for Warner Records Warner Records Group today announced that Jeff Sosnow has been promoted to President, Reprise Records, in addition to continuing in his role as EVP...more
Openstage Puts Artists in Control of Fan Relationships by Uniting Once Fragmented Data
Artists struggle with one basic issue: Control. They don't know who their fans are. Even with large followings, most artists struggle to identify real fans, understand who is engaged, or build relationships over time. Fan information is scattered across ticketing platforms,...more
Seventeen live music sector organisations sign open letter to UK Prime Minister calling for urgent review of Business Rates
Dear Prime Minister, We are writing on behalf of the live events sector to urge you to review the devastating, unintended consequences for live venues of changes announced to the Business Rates system at the Budget. The combined impact of disproportionate, inappropriate,...more
Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with BigXthaPlug
Sony Music Publishing today announced it has signed a global publishing deal with award-winning, multi-platinum selling breakout star BigXthaPlug. BigXthaPlug, aka Xavier Landum, has quickly established himself as one of music’s most powerful new storytellers. With an unmistakable sound that delves into...more
The Live Awards 2025 - Winners announced
The LIVE Awards 2025, which took place in association with Skiddle at The Troxy, in East London, on the evening of Wednesday 10th December, has published its full list of winners. Attended by over 500 guests including promoters, venues, agents, festivals,...more
IMPF Key Principles for CMO Licensing Models for Generative AI
Generative AI is rewriting the rules of the music ecosystem, at speed and scale we have never seen before. For independent publishers and the songwriters and composers they represent, this shift brings both opportunity and profound risk. At the core...more
beatBread Surpasses $100 Million in Deal Funding as Company Marks its Fifth Anniversary
1700 Deals Representing 67 Billion Streams Funded,With Platform Expanding To 42 Countries beatBread, a leader in funding for independent labels and musicians, today announced a series of major milestones that underscore its accelerating global scale and industry impact as it celebrates...more
BDi Music signs exclusive worldwide publishing deal with artist, producer and topliner Jack Critchlow
Critchlow has had significant support at radio at DSPs. BDi Music has signed emerging artist, producer and topliner Jack Critchlow to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. Hailing from the North of England, 22-year-old Critchlow is one of the most exciting upcoming acts...more
Bucks Music Group appoints Rick Lansdell as COO alongside key promotions
Flash Taylor, James Paterson, Rhiannon Bramley, Maria McDonald, Sevana Mehrunnesa and Andrea Loizidou all step up at independent publisher. Bucks Music Group has announced the appointment of Rick Lansdell as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, as well as a number of...more
Tyler West and Chloe Burrows announced for KISS Breakfast Show
KISS have announced that Tyler West will be the new host of the KISS Breakfast Show. However, he won’t be alone as podcaster and TV personality, Chloe Burrows, will be joining KISS as his co-presenter. Tyler and Chloe will be taking over KISS Breakfast when,...more
Live Music Company DHP Family Brings Two Senior Women To The Board
Two senior colleagues have joined the board of DHP Family, the live music company behind a host of iconic live music venues, award-winning festivals and a thriving concerts business. Julie Tippins becomes a non-executive director as she steps away from the...more
Music League and Roxxem Win Music Tectonics’ 2025 Swimming with Narwhals Startup Competition
Music Tectonics is here to shout about the winners of its annual Swimming with Narwhals competition for innovative startups in music tech. These winners show how music is everywhere, shifting the status quo of media, tech, and entertainment. This year, two...more
Guided By Voices Frontman Robert Pollard Inks Exclusive Worldwide Publishing Administration Deal with Third Side Music
TSM to represent Pollard’s entire song catalog of 40+ GBV albums, including the new album Thick, Rich and Delicious released on Oct.31 via Rockathon Records, plus his solo works. MONTREAL (DECEMBER 9, 2025)— Robert Pollard, frontman of iconic indie-rock band Guided By Voices (GBV), has signed...more
Audiomack Partners with Soundcharts to Highlight Global Music Growth
Soundcharts, the music industry data analytics platform known for illuminating global music growth, and Audiomack, the artist-first music streaming and discovery platform, today announced a partnership to highlight visibility into African streaming data and music trends. The partnership integrates Audiomack playlists...more
Symphonic Distribution Unveils ‘Your Story 2025’ Year-End Recap for Clients, Pays Over $100M to Independent Artists in 2025
Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, is giving its clients the opportunity to share their stats from the year with Your Story 2025, a year-end recap tool that helps them celebrate their...more
Believe expands expertise in deep data marketing with the appointment of Darya Pourshasb as Chief Marketing Officer and the acquisition of her company, ampd Method
Global artist development company Believe announces today the appointment of Darya Pourshasb as Chief Marketing Officer, who will report to Founder and CEO Denis Ladegaillerie. With this appointment, Believe expands its in-house expertise and capabilities in deep data marketing and...more
Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia unveils strategic promotions
Key leaders will help strengthen regional roster and accelerate global artist export Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia today announced a slate of key leadership promotions designed to strengthen its domestic artist pipeline and accelerate the global export of music from...more
Reactional Music and MusicInfra partner to build next-generation music rights management solution for games and emerging platforms
Partnership enables new revenue streams, accurate compensation for creators, and the streamlining of music licensing for all game developers Reactional Music, the leading music personalisation platform for gaming, and The Music Infrastructure Company (MusicInfra), which offers modern, modular rights management, today...more
Craig Kallman appointed Chief Music Officer of Warner Music Group
Renowned Leader Takes on Elevated Central Role Following More Than Three Extraordinary Decades at Atlantic Records Will Also Sign New Artists to Big Beat, the Pioneering Label Originally Founded by Kallman Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) today announced that renowned music executive Craig Kallman has...more
TikTok reveals the Top Artists and Songs of 2025
Pretty Little Baby by Connie Francis is TikTok's Global Song of the Year Taylor Swift was the Global Most-Saved Artist in 2025 Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne is TikTok's UK Song of the Year KATSEYE is TikTok's Global Artist of the Year Anxiety by Doechii is TikTok's Music Trend of...more
Warner Music India and Rthyms.Life Join Forces to Amplify the Next Global Sound
Warner Music India has announced a strategic partnership with Rthyms.Life, a pioneering creator-first music ecosystem, to help amplify India’s unique sounds on the global stage. This alliance cements Rthyms.Life’s position as a trusted and transparent platform for artists, offering a full-stack...more
THE HEADLINES
Do pop stars write their own hits—and if not, who does? (see Analysis)
TikTok unveils its Year in Music Report (see Digital)
Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran named most popular touring artists of the millennium (see News)
King Gizzard, having pulled music from Spotify in protest, find genAI clones on the platform (see Digital)
UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems (see News)
Martin Mills is trying to thwart a record industry takeover by Universal (see Features)
IMPF says members should reject AI deals that do not value songs properly (see News)
Which songs do we replay the most? (see Analysis)
Spotify Wrapped 2025 goes live (see Digital)
Daddy Yankee files lawsuit against former manager and third parties for alleged royalty scheme (see News)
EU touring: Impact of Brexit worsening, says UK Music report (see Reports)
ORCA released a report analysing the economic investments and social impact of nine leading independent record labels (see Reports)
Jorja Smith’s label requests share of royalties from ‘AI-cloned’ song (see News)
A creative nation is a thriving nation (see Opinion)
Australian report also highlights how other non-US English-speaking countries are hit by algorithms (see Reports)