Adam Wright has joined independent music rights company Merlin as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Wright joins Merlin after three years as Director of Finance for Creative Artists Agency (CAA) overseeing its brand licensing business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Previously, Wright held executive positions at Sony Music Group, responsible for operations across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore; and Cooperative Music, Universal Music Group’s former international licensing and distribution network serving the independent music sector.
Based in the UK, Merlin says that Wright will be a key member of its executive management team, “a strategic leader throughout the company’, and responsible for all of the organization’s financial, treasury, and tax functions on a global basis.
Merlin says that Wright joins during a time of momentous growth for the organization.
Since last summer, 37 new members have joined from around the world, including members based in Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, UAE, UK, US, and South Korea.
The company also welcomed first-time direct members from a number of new countries, including Albania, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, and Turkey.
In addition, this past year, Merlin has also partnered with new digital services and grown its relationships with its partners.
This includes Lickd, a platform that lets video creators legally add music into their videos; a deal with FLO in Korea; an expanded partnership with Boomplay; a deal with TREBEL; a partnership with Twitch; and a partnership with Pinterest to expand the music experience on the platform.
Other highlights include an activation with Peloton to premiere new music on their platform; partnering with YouTube on Shorts and Creator Music; enhancing Merlin’s relationship with JioSaavn, and a partnership with China-based short-form video platform Kuaishou.
“It’s such a dynamic time for the Merlin organisation and the industry as a whole—I’m very excited to have this opportunity and to come back to the independent sector where my music industry career first began is especially satisfying.”
Adam Wright
“I’m delighted to take on the role of CFO at Merlin,” Wright said. “It’s such a dynamic time for the Merlin organisation and the industry as a whole—I’m very excited to have this opportunity and to come back to the independent sector where my music industry career first began is especially satisfying.”
“Independents’ passion for music is only matched by their level of innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s a privilege to join Merlin as they continue to deliver on that ethos on behalf of their members and digital partners around the world.”
“Adam possesses an incredible wealth of experience across music, TV, film, licensing, and consumer brands. I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome him to Merlin in this crucial and strategic role.”
Jeremy Sirota, Merlin
Jeremy Sirota, Merlin CEO, said: “Adam possesses an incredible wealth of experience across music, TV, film, licensing, and consumer brands. I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome him to Merlin in this crucial and strategic role.
“He is highly respected in his field and brings the right blend of long-term thinking, technical skills, and impressive leadership to benefit Merlin, its members and our partners around the globe.”
