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
UK Music Industry Sends a Postcard Plea from Great Escape Festival to Political Leaders to Remove Barriers to EU Touring ahead of Summit
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Unchained Music partners with Sonic Wax for vinyl manufacturing and distribution
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The Ivors Academy unveils free membership, new brand and website to champion songwriters and composers
To kick off Ivors Week, The Ivors Academy – the UK's leading organisation for songwriters and composers – has unveiled a new brand and website as part of a major relaunch of its membership offer, reaffirming its commitment to be...more
Brockwell Festivals Battle Marks Dark Day for Culture, Workers, and Community - NTIA Warns
Comment from Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association: “The legal action brought against Lambeth Council over the Brockwell Park festivals is emblematic of a much deeper crisis facing our cultural and events landscape. If these festivals are unable...more
Popindia announces the acquisition of Musicraft Entertainment catalog in India
PopIndia, Reservoir Media, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: RSVR) newly launched subsidiary based in Mumbai, India, today announced the acquisition of publishing and master rights to the entire Musicraft Entertainment catalog. This marks the Company's first catalog deal in India. Established in 1980, Musicraft...more
IMPALA launches new EU-funded support scheme to boost change-making initiatives in the indie sector
IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, has launched a new EU-funded support scheme aimed at boosting sector-led initiatives working on equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and environmental sustainability. The initiative is part of IMPALA's broader work programme as a recognised EU cultural network and...more
Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Kane Brown's Verse 2 Music Renew Partnership
Deals extends joint venture helmed by country star Kane Brown and Industry Veteran Kent Earls Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the renewal of its partnership with Verse 2 Music, led by multi-platinum, award-winning country music superstar Kane Brown and industry...more
New report shows independent promoters as vital champions of local talent - but under threat
First of its kind AIP Report details composition, contribution and struggles of independent promoters in the UK. Most survey respondents showcased local talent in over 51% of their events in 2024. But 55% supplement their income with other work. The Association of Independent...more
ClicknClear selected as a finalist for the world intellectual property organization (WIPO) global awards
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Full Time Hobby signs Dead Pioneers under Bucks sponsorship deal
Band signed to Full Time Hobby sister Hassle Records last year. Full Time Hobby has signed Dead Pioneers to its publishing roster under its sponsorship agreement with Bucks Music Group. The agreement between Full Time Hobby and Bucks Music Group means that...more
Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp shares his concerns with the state of touring and how labels 'rely on artist's social media' to sell them
Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp shares his concerns with the state of touring and how labels 'rely on artist's social media' to sell them, in a new podcast released today Following on from the successful launch of his new album ‘The Destination’,...more
Music Venue Properties announce second community share offering to purchase iconic UK grassroots music venues under its 'Own Our Venues' initiative
Esquires in Bedford, Stoke-on-Trent’s The Sugarmill & Southampton’s The Joiners among venues included in new acquisition plans Music Venue Properties (MVP), the pioneering Charitable Community Benefit Society created by Music Venue Trust (MVT), has announced the launch of the next phase...more
Artist applications open today for the 2025 FAC Step Up Fund supported by Amazon Music
This year’s fund will support the creative projects of 10 developing independent acts with grants of up to £8,000 More than 30 artists have benefitted from Step Up funding since 2022 Today’s announcement coincides with The Great Escape, where the Featured Artists...more
Heart becomes the UK's biggest radio brand reaching a phenomenal 13.4 million weekly listeners
Heart brand celebrates its highest ever listening figures beating Radio 2 for the first time ever A record-breaking set of listening figures for Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden Overall, Global celebrates record share of 27.3% - the UK’s biggest commercial radio...more
DDEX Announces BMAT As Newest Charter Member
DDEX, the international standards-setting organization dedicated to improving the exchange of data and information across the music industry, has announced BMAT Music Innovators, the Barcelona-based company, will become a DDEX Charter Member from June 1. BMAT becomes the newest Charter...more
UK Festivals Unite in War Child fundraiser
46 of the UK’s best festivals put tickets up for grabs including Boomtown, Love Saves The Day, Isle of Wight, Reading & Leeds and Shambala Donations link here. Children don’t start wars — yet nearly 1 in 5 children around the world are...more
The South Asian Soundcheck calls for UK music industry support
New survey will provide the first detailed data on the South Asian experience in UK music Take the survey Lila, the non-profit initiative empowering South Asians in the UK music industry, has launched The South Asian Soundcheck, a new survey, supported by major industry bodies including UK Music, British...more
Musical AI and Pro Sound Effects Partner to Create Licensed Datasets for AI Training
Pro Sound Effects (PSE) has been the entertainment industry’s go-to source for high-quality sounds for decades, serving every major name in TV, film, and gaming. Now, the company is teaming up with Musical AI, the AI rights management platform, to...more
Electronic Music Sector Unites to Demand Action At Landmark Parliamentary Committee Event
On 14 May, the UK’s electronic music industry delivered an unprecedented show of unity and urgency as sector leaders from artists to club owners came together to meet with Parliament’s Culture Committee. The sector called unequivocally for Government action to prevent...more
The Radio Academy announces winners for The ARIAS 2025
The Radio Academy ARIAS returned tonight at the exciting new venue in Leicester Square, as Clara Amfo and Gok Wan MBE, took to the stage at ODEON Luxe, to host the most prestigious night in UK audio. The winners of 23 awards were...more
LIDO and ELAM extend their partnership with a dynamic new programme supporting young students
LIDO is contributing to the future of UK live music From mentorships, internships, work experience, masterclasses and more… Lido Festival, Victoria Park Visit LIDOFESTIVAL.CO.UK LIDO Festival, the newest addition to London’s summer calendar, is proud to announce an extended partnership with East London Arts...more
RAJAR results Q1 2025: Bauer Media Audio UK celebrates 23.4m weekly listeners
The first quarter of 2025 showcased another set of impressive listening results for Bauer Media Audio UK. As Bauer Media Group marks its 150th year, the results show that Bauer stations reach an amazing 23.4m weekly listeners. Standout performances this quarter, include: Hits...more
Universal Music Greater China launches Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Note Records China, marking a strategic expansion into China's classical and jazz scene
Legendary Classical Label Deutsche Grammophon Debuts DG China, Announcing Projects with Cellist Jian Wang, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Next Wave of Chinese Classical Talent Iconic Jazz Label Blue Note Launches Blue Note Records China with Signing of Avant-Garde Duo INNOUT Universal Music...more
Armada Music Group Names Maarten Steinkamp as Interim President
Former chairman and CEO of Sony BMG Europe will support Armada’s burgeoning growth in newly formed position Armada Music Group, the parent company of Armada Music, BEAT Music Fund, and Armada Music Publishing, today announced the appointment of Maarten Steinkemp as...more
Don't stop believin' in CDs: Gen Alpha dig physical music too
Vinyl and CDs continue to live on with nearly half of Gen A listening to physical music records Survey conducted by Key Production reveals that nearly half of Generation Alpha listen to CDs and they know how to use CD and...more
Wales' oldest record label tunes into tomorrow as new CEO steps up at Sain
Kev Tame has been announced as the new chief executive of Sain. A native of Waunfawr, Tame has been behind a range of exciting new projects at Wales’ oldest record label over the past 18 months and has now taken on...more
Universal Music Group and Apple Music announce Sound Therapy
The collection leverages cognitive science and UMG’s roster of global superstars, adding subtle auditory beats to well-known curated tracks, aiming to help listeners focus, relax, and sleep Apple Music is joining forces with Universal Music Group (UMG) to introduce Sound Therapy, an...more
Sonar 2025 cements its status as a one-of-a-kind festival with nearly 150 premieres, co-productions, and exclusives, sparking both dancing and discovery
Sónar Week once again turns Barcelona into the international epicenter of electronic and digital culture, with more than 200 events and projects presented in collaboration with leading artistic, scientific and technological institutions. Sónar 2025 presents an agenda-setting lineup with exclusive premieres such as Grasa, the...more
Official Charts Company agrees new deal with Kantar
Relationship extends into a fifth decade New state-of-the-art music data platform under construction The Official Charts Company has inked a brand-new deal with technical support partner Kantar extending their relationship into a fifth decade. The new contract will see the two companies continue...more
UK and EU Music Industry Chiefs Join Forces to Urge Political Leaders to Tear Down Barriers to Touring the EU
Musicians and industry leaders from the UK and Europe have joined forces to demand urgent action to remove the barriers to touring across the EU. They are warning political leaders that the current arrangements for UK acts touring the EU and...more
THE HEADLINES
You can’t put a price on culture—but you can put a price on saving it (see Comment)
SoundCloud backtracks on AI-related terms-of-use updates (see Digital)
Data Bill returns to the Commons today for crucial vote (see News)
Music discovery is not dead, just evolving (see Comment)
The business fundamentals behind DSP's and what this means for music (see Comment)
Artists urge Prime Minister to rethink AI copyright plans (see News)
Tariffs, tours, and trade wars: Why music investment won’t slow down (see Comment)
Unintended consequences – the year ahead for streaming (see Comment)
Spotify’s latest update gives users more control over their listening experience (see Digital)
Has music reached peak fragmentation? (see Analysis)
How LA is rebuilding the music industry after the fires (see Features)
Ministers reconsider changes to UK copyright law ahead of vote (see News)
How Ticketmaster swallowed the live entertainment scene (see Features)
Spotify executive on why 'per-stream rate' is one of the most misleading metrics in music (see Opinion)
BPI responds to government’s proposed amendments to the Data Bill related to AI and copyright (see News)
‘AI and intellectual property — a pivotal moment for the UK’s creative industries’ (see Opinion)