Independent label agency Merlin has made a number of new appointments in its London and New York offices.
In London, Emma Robinson joins as Member Services Manager while Leeza Panayiotou joins as Manager, Legal and Business Affairs.
Poppy Waring has been promoted from General Assistant to Member Services Assistant.
In New York, Bela Zecker has been appointed as Member Services & Operations Manager, Americas, effective October 29.
Based in Merlin’s London office, Emma Robinson will act as a first point of contact for Merlin members’ day-to-day interactions.
Robinson was previously a Senior Account Manager at UK press agency Name PR, where she worked with a range of music and technology clients.
Robinson and Waring will both report to Tom Deakin, Director, Global Member Services.
Also based in London, Leeza Panayiotou joins in the newly-created role of Manager, Legal and Business Affairs.
Prior to joining Merlin, Panayiotou worked for the Cooking Vinyl Group and Clintons Solicitors.
Panayiotou joins Ryan McWhinnie, Director, Legal and Business Affairs, in the expanded team led by Chief Commercial Officer & General Counsel, Charlie Lexton.
Based in New York, Bela Zecker will work with Merlin’s membership in the Latin American Markets, having held previous positions at Ninja Tune and Really Happening Management.
“As a global organisation it is crucial that Merlin can react to the sustained demand for independent music. This investment in our staffing will allow us to do that.”
Charles Caldas, Merlin
Charles Caldas (pictured, inset), CEO, Merlin 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.”
Merlin recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and has this year struck partnerships with Facebook, Alibaba, NetEase, Tencent and Yandex.Music Business Worldwide
