Underscoring the growing importance of independent music and labels, indie global rights agency Merlin has announced several significant new appointments. Merlin membership includes tens of thousands of independent labels in 57 countries.
Based in Merlin’s London office, Emma Robinson joins the team as member services manager. Robinson was previously a senior account manager at press agency Name PR. Poppy Waring has been promoted from general assistant to member services assistant, while Leeza Panayiotou, joins the team as manager, legal and business affairs. Panayiotou comes to the newly-created role at Merlin from the Cooking Vinyl Group.
In Merlin’s New York office, Bela Zecker has been appointed to the newly-created role of member services and operations manager, Americas, focusing on the Latin American markets. She comes to the company from previous posts with both Ninja Tune and Really Happening Management.
Commenting on the recent appointments, Merlin CEO Charles Caldas said: “I am delighted to welcome Bela, Emma and Leeza to Merlin, and to announce a well-deserved promotion for Poppy. As a global organisation it is crucial that Merlin can react to the sustained demand for independent music and provide the best possible service for our expanding membership. This investment in our staffing will allow us to do that. Wherever in the world they are based, our continued goal is for Merlin members to derive the maximum impact from our global licensing partnerships and to help grow their digital business.”
Jim Mahoney, general manager, Merlin USA added: “This is fantastic news for Merlin members. Emma, Leeza and Poppy are a real boost to the global team, while Bela’s US expertise ensures that the thousands of indie labels Merlin represents will continue to benefit from the extraordinary growth we’re seeing in recorded markets across Latin America, as well as the rest of the world.”