Global indpendent digital rights agency for Merlin has today announced results of its biennial board elections – including the election of a new Chairman, with Dave Hansen, Epitaph’s SVP of Business Development, replacing Beggars Group founder Martin Mills, who is stepping down by rotation.
Mills has served as Chairman since 2011.
The Beggars boss was Merlin’s second Chair following the tenure of Bob Frank, and will continue as a board member of the organisation.
This year saw the highest ever number of candidates standing for election at Merlin, as well the highest ever percentage of members voting, with the result that five new members will step up to the 15-strong board that oversees Merlin’s strategy until 2019.
Bob Roback (Isolation Network, USA), Nando Luaces (Altafonte Network, Spain), Bruno Guez (Revelator, Israel), Chris Maund (Mushroom Group, Australia) and Masahiro “Jack” Oishi (Maverick D.C., Japan) join fellow representatives from the world’s most successful independent labels.
Voting seats for the board are divided into three territorial blocs – with equal representation given to North America, Europe and the rest of the world.
The successful candidates for the period 2017-2019 are, in first name alphabetical order:
The newly elected board will also have the option of appointing up to six non-voting observers.
Commenting on the election results, Charles Caldas, CEO of Merlin said: “In what is a global business, the unique structure of Merlin’s board remains an invaluable asset – allowing us to draw on extensive commercial experience across all continents, and empowering Merlin’s independent label members to succeed on a worldwide stage.
“I would like to thank all those who took part in this year’s election, and to the previous board for their continued backing and support. And I would particularly like to congratulate Merlin’s new Chairman, Dave Hansen, and to pay tribute to Martin Mills, who has done so much to steer our business to its current successes.
“We also welcome Bob, Nando, Bruno, Chris and Masahiro into the fold. With their fresh insight and guidance, Merlin will look forward to ever greater future achievements.”
“I would like to thank all those who took part in this year’s election, and to the previous board for their continued backing and support.”
Charles Caldas, Merlin
Dave Hansen, SVP Business Development, Epitaph Records, said: “It is an immense honour to be elected to serve as the new chairman of Merlin. I will continue to work closely with Martin Mills, Charles Caldas and the entire Merlin board and staff to deliver big results for our members around the world.”
Martin Mills, Beggars Group founder, added: “Merlin has played a crucial role for independents in the digital marketplace, and it has been a real honour and pleasure to chair it. I’m very happy, at this point, to pass the chairmanship to Dave, who I know will be a great successor, and look forward to continuing to play a central role in the organisation.”
Merlin says that its members command in excess of 12% of the digital recorded music market and embody more than 20,000 independent record labels and distributors from 51 countries and all continents.
These members include Beggars Group, Secretly Group, Domino, Sub Pop, Epitaph, Anti Records, Entertainment One, Redeye Worldwide, !K7, Kobalt Music Recordings, [PIAS], Merge, Warp, INgrooves, Hopeless Records, Armada Music, Mad Decent, Eleven Seven Music, Naxos and Curb Records.Music Business Worldwide
