Secretly Distribution, the in-house distribution arm of Secretly Group, has appointed Rich Thane as Associate Director of Artist & Label Strategy.
Thane joins the company following an eight-year tenure at Warner Music Group, where he most recently served as Senior Director of Global Playlist Strategy, leading teams across London, New York City and Los Angeles.
Thane has also held positions at Eventim, Billetto, and Amazon, where he helped curate for the launch of its Prime Music streaming service. Additionally, he boasts entrepreneurial experience, having founded The Line of Best Fit, a music magazine that evolved into a record label, promotions agency, and music festival.
Thane’s arrival marks an expansion for Secretly Distribution‘s UK and EU operations. He will work closely with US-based Josh Madell, Director of Artist and Label Strategy, to cultivate new partnerships with independent record labels throughout the region. Additionally, Thane will focus on securing label services agreements with management firms, artist estates, and others seeking Secretly Distribution’s global support network.
Secretly Distribution provides physical and digital music distribution services alongside marketing, financial, and technological support for a diverse roster of labels and artists. Its clients include international partners such as Chrysalis, Moshi Moshi, PAN, PMR, Smalltown Supersound and Timmion.
“I’ve been a huge fan and supporter of Secretly Distribution and their respective labels for many, many years,” Thane said.
“So to be able to join them at such an exciting time of growth is a dream to me. In this industry it’s harder than it should be to find like minded people who care so deeply about music, and that’s something I’ve always admired about Secretly’s ethos and approach to their artists and label partners. To be given the chance to make a true difference to independent music is something that I do not take for granted.”
In this industry it’s harder than it should be to find like minded people who care so deeply about music, and that’s something I’ve always admired about Secretly’s ethos and approach to their artists and label partners.”
Rich Thane, Secretly Distribution
Madell added: “Rich’s passion for and knowledge of independent labels and artists is unparalleled, and he comes to Secretly Distribution with a wealth of close personal connections across the global music community.
“Add to this his deep understanding of modern playlisting strategy, and it’s hard to imagine someone better suited to this role, as Secretly leans into our global growth. We could not be more excited to have Rich guiding our continued investment in the vibrant UK and EU independent music ecosystem.”
“Rich’s passion for and knowledge of independent labels and artists is unparalleled, and he comes to Secretly Distribution with a wealth of close personal connections across the global music community.”
Josh Madell, Secretly Distribution
The appointment comes on the heels of a banner year for Secretly Distribution in 2023. The company surpassed 3.1 million units shipped, a 29% increase in physical sales, and a 20% growth in streaming revenue. The company also opened a new 90,000 square-foot warehouse facility and secured a nomination for Distributor of the Year at the upcoming Libera Awards.
The momentum has continued into 2024, with Label Services clients growing to include A24 Music‘s megahit soundtrack for Hazbin Hotel, which has generated over half a billion streams since January, as well as Talking Heads tribute album Everyone’s Getting Involved, featuring Paramore, Miley Cyrus, Lorde and Teezo Touchdown.
Secretly Distribution has also launched catalog services with David Gray, Madlib, and Danger Mouse’s 30th Century Records, and is currently working on upcoming releases from Crumb, Dr. Dog, Guster, POND and more.
Secretly Distribution is part of the independent music company Secretly Group.
Music Business Worldwide
