Merlin Named to Fast Company's Annual List of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025 19 Mar 2025
The independent’s digital music licensing partner joins the ranks of Waymo, Nvidia, Duolingo, and more
This recognition reflects Merlin’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for Merlin’s members in the digital space. That commitment ranges from advancing data-driven insights to fostering the next generation of female music industry leaders. But among Merlin’s recent innovations, one stands out: Merlin Connect, a streamlined licensing solution that is transforming how digital platforms access and integrate quality independent music.
“For 17 years now, Merlin has secured premium deals with the world’s leading digital platforms for our members. Our mission is to ensure our independent members can compete on a level playing field. With Merlin Connect, we’re expanding our approach by opening up more opportunities for emerging platforms,” said Charlie Lexton, COO of Merlin. “Being named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list again—after first receiving this honor in 2013 under the leadership of Charles Caldas—reflects the evolution of Merlin and our ongoing commitment to driving opportunities for independent music in the digital space. We’re proud to be recognized for this innovation and excited for what’s ahead.”
NEWS & PRESS
War Child’s ‘Day of the Girl’ Concert Series Raises Over £40,000 to Support Girls and Women Affected by Conflict
Through Intimate Live Shows Featuring English Teacher, girli & Katy J Pearson War Child UK is proud to announce that this year’s Day of the Girl concert series has raised over £40,000 to support girls and women living in conflict zones around the...more
My future as an amateur football club coach by Nuno Suraiva, founder, SCL-Lusitanian Label Group
Featured in Complete Music Update. Nuno Saraiva has had a 30 year career in the music industry as an artist, songwriter, music publisher, record label, consultant, music exporter and project manager. He is founder of the SCL-Lusitanian Label Group in Portugal, and...more
MIME Conference 2025 unites music leader to bridge the gap between education and industry
As the UK prepares to launch its new National Centre for Arts and Music Education, the Music Industry + Music Education (MIME) Conference will explore music policy and accreditation, plus resources and opportunities for the next generation of music professionals. Leading figures...more
ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN Announce Alignment on AI Registration Policies
The Three Major North American PROs will now accept registrations of partially AI-generated musical works ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN today announced they have each adopted policies to accept registrations of musical compositions partially generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These works...more
Karma Artists Continues to Make Waves in Asia
Writer/Producer Collaborations, Writing Camps and Cultural Exchanges Fueling ‘Extraordinary’ K-pop Success Karma Artists, the London-based independent music company, is celebrating a number of successful creative projects alongside a slate of future activities, which will see it further engage with the fast-growing...more
Warner Chappell Music sign rising Portuguese star Maninho
Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group (WMG), has signed Maninho - one of Portugal’s most in-demand and highly-respected talents. The singer-songwriter, who also has a record deal with Warner Music Portugal, exploded onto the...more
EXIT announces 2026 Global Tour following Government pressure in Serbia - first destinations revealed
EXIT will tour through Egypt, India, Malta, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia as part of 'The First Chapter' EXIT, one of the world's leading music festivals, is entering a new chapter in its history. After announcing that it will not be held...more
NME’s The Cover 2024-2025: A premium coffee table book spotlighting Kneecap, Lola Young and other breakthrough artists
NME, the globally renowned music and pop culture brand, announces The Cover 2024–2025, a premium coffee table book celebrating the most exciting emerging artists of the year. The second edition to the annually released collection is a boldly designed hardback featuring bespoke...more
UK Music Introduces 'Five Ps' Guide to Boost Diversity and Inclusion Across the Music Industry
UK Music has introduced its ground-breaking Five Ps guide to bring about enduring change and positive outcomes for diversity and inclusion across the music industry.The Five Ps is a practical guide that follows widespread consultation right across the sector. It maps out five...more
Reservoir and PopArabia grow MENA cagalogue with two new acquistions
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, in conjunction with PopArabia, the leading music publisher and independent music company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announced two new acquisitons to expand the Companies’ share of...more
LIVE Awards 2025 - Finalists Announced
The annual LIVE Awards, which will take place in association with Skiddle on Wednesday 10th December at Troxy in East London, has announced its category finalists for 2025. Chosen by a panel of industry experts the shortlists cover all sectors of...more
The American French Film Festival 2025: Sacem, Driving the Influence of French Creation in Hollywood
As a true bridge between France and the United States, The American French Film Festival (TAFFF) returns for its 29th edition in Los Angeles, from October 28 to November 3, 2025, celebrating the vitality of French cinema and music on the international stage.After the...more
Musicbird expands portfolio with catalogue of celebrated producer Rick Parashar
Boutique music rights investment company acquires producer income of the late London Bridge Studio founder, including hits by Nickelback and Alice in Chains MusicBird (the “Company”), the boutique music rights company which invests in time-tested catalogues with proven quality and growth potential,...more
Abbey Road's Amplify programme returns for its fifth edition in London and Manchester this November
This year, Abbey Road is expanding its annual Amplify festival to Manchester, across nine days of free events. Abbey Road will open its doors to the next generation of artists, engineers, and creatives for masterclasses, immersive recording sessions, production workshops,...more
ROAM announces the appointment of Jess Kinn
Global live booking agency ROAM is delighted to welcome Jess Kinn to the company. Widely recognised as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking and artist-focused agents, Jess represents a dynamic and diverse roster including Olly Alexander (Years & Years), Africa Express,...more
Emerging alt-rock idol Hana Lili signs to Nettwerk
Nettwerk is delighted to welcome Welsh alt-rock and pop punk artist Hana Lili to the roster. Hana marks the occasion with the release of a potent, poignant and provocative new banger “Sick of Myself.” “Sick of Myself” is a fully...more
Career achievements of Stephen Taverner to be recognised at the Artist & Manager Awards
The hugely popular founder of East City Management will receive the award for Managers' Manager Shortlists for Artist Of The Year (sponsored by Tixel) & Manager of the Year revealed An inaugural Earth Action Award will be presented to NATURE the artist...more
Music Nation starts formal operations, launching new era of opportunity for UAE artists
Chairwoman Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak Announces Senior Leadership Team: Amer M. Samhoun named Chief Executive Officer; James K. Petrie appointed Chief Operating Officer; Ali Dee joins as Chief Creative Officer Music Nation Copyrights Management ("Music Nation"), a pioneer in music rights...more
Amsterdam Dance Event looks back on record breaking edition and announces dates for 30 year anniversary in 2026
Amsterdam Dance Event looks back on record breaking edition and announces dates for 30 year anniversary in 2026 The dates are set: October 21 - 25, 2026 Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) announces the dates for its 30 YEARS ADE anniversary edition in...more
Brits spend over £580 a month on entertainment and leisure, but 61% regret social media-driven purchases
A new study from credit card brand Aqua has revealed how Brits are spending on lifestyle, and what drives certain purchases Eating out tops the list of lifestyle spending categories, with over half of Brits indulging in restaurants and takeaways 70% of Brits admit...more
Noctil leverages The MLC’s public musical works database
Noctil leverages The MLC’s public musical works database to give its users the ability to view The MLC’s data for unmatched sound recording products and musical works with unclaimed shares within the Noctil platform The latest in a series of strategic...more
Impala warns of risks to cultural diversity posed by UMG/Downtown deal
A crucial element in reviewing mergers in the music sector is what’s at stake for the ecosystem and cultural diversity. A new paper published by IMPALA predicts that the proposed UMG/Downtown acquisition carries significant risks for both the quantity and...more
Latest PPL Momentum Music Fund and PPL Momentum Sbardun | Accelerator grantees announced
10 talented UK artists in genres including pop, folk, R&B, jazz and rock receiving PPL Momentum Music support These selected grantees mark the 50th round of the landmark fund, supporting 623 artists at a career tipping point since its launch in 2013 4...more
Best performing National Album Day to date
Vinyl LP sales rose 54% over the National Album Day weekend, and were up 23.9% year-on-year A third of the Top 100 Official Vinyl Albums Chart was made up of titles released exclusively for National Album Day 2025, also accounting for...more
Sony Music Publishing UK Renews Exclusive Global Deal with Daecolm
Sony Music Publishing today announced it has renewed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with British artist and songwriter Daecolm. The deal renews the company’s long-established partnership with Daecolm, which began in 2016, and covers his existing catalogue and future recordings. In 2024, Daecolm achieved global success with the international hit “I Adore You”...more
KiTbetter Opens First North American Manufacturing Facility for KiTalbums in Los Angeles, California
KiTbetter, the company behind the patented hybrid KiTalbum format that bridges physical and digital music, has opened its first North American manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California. The new site marks a major milestone in KiTbetter's global expansion. It will...more
Concord Music Publishing signs songwriter-producer Nickname Jos
Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of artist, songwriter, and producer Josef Kuhn, known professionally as Nickname Jos. The universal co-publishing deal, effective immediately, includes Nickname Jos’ full catalog and future works. Nickname Jos is a multitalented performer, songwriter, and producer that has...more
Wear the music, share the joy: Music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins launches Christmas jumper collection
Available now at nordoff-and-robbins.teemill.com A percentage of every sale goes directly to Nordoff and Robbins Endorsed by Nordoff and Robbins Music Ambassador, Edith Bowman Created in partnership with sustainable print on demand platform Teemill Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, has today...more
IMPF establishes key targets across tech, data and emerging markets at Global Music Summit
Record 650 delegates attended 2025 event.Dates set for 2026 event. The IMPF established a number of key targets and priorities for the independent music publishing community across tech, data and newer markets at this year’s Global Music Summit Palma. Dates have also...more
Sophie Ellis-Bextor features on episode 4 of ‘The Red Carpet Treatment - On The Road Presented by Mastercard’
The Red Carpet Treatment - On The Road Presented by Mastercard Hosted by Luke Hamnett Sophie Ellis-Bextor features on episode 4, out TODAY available to watch in full on @BRITs YouTube or on @BRITs social channels The BRIT Awards with Mastercard today releases the fourth...more
THE HEADLINES
UK Music introduces 'Five Ps' guide to boost diversity and inclusion across the music industry (see News)
Reservoir Media: A hidden gem? (see Features)
The music industry remains divided on generative AI. Where will that leave us? (see Comment)
How fan power is reshaping pop (see Features)
The “forever” stakes of generative AI ownership (see Comment)
Lyor Cohen: AI won’t replace artists — it will make them unstoppable (see Opinion)
Omdia tips music publishers’ revenues to hit $10bn this year (see Reports)
Unit1 Studio launches offering potential for immersive avatar concerts through lower production costs (see Digital)
Are we still in the music business? When your POV is worth more than your mp3s (see Opinion)
Is rock’n’roll dead? (see Features)
Book extract: Body Of Work: How The Album Outplayed The Algorithm And Survived Playlist Culture (see Comment)
With MTV channels switching off, is the music video under threat? (see Features)
Spotify partnering with multinational music companies to develop ‘responsible’ AI products (see Digital)
Sam Fender wins 2025 Mercury Prize (see News)
Spotify working on ‘SongDNA’ feature that showcases the people behind tracks (see Digital)