Merlin celebrates 10 year anniversary with record-high revenue and audio streaming optimism

Merlin, the independent label group and global digital rights agency, has released its 10th anniversary Impact Report. The analysis shows that Merlin will make record-high payouts of $500 million in the next 12 months, a record that’s all the more impressive considering it just reached a cumulative $1 billion in distributions last year. Continue Reading

Sony aims to pay artists/labels for Spotify stock sale by August

Sony has made yet another move toward transparency in how it is distributing the proceeds from its sale of Spotify stock. Sony Music Entertainment has informed indie labels by email that it intends to make payments to eligible artists and participants as soon as possible. There is one interesting and revealing point. Continue Reading

Spotify is reportedly offering hefty advances to land more direct licensing deals

Spotify is reportedly offering advances to managers and indie artists as an incentive to consider direct licensing deals with the streaming service. Billboard reported that the company is offering up to several hundred thousand dollars in advances for managers that agree to license a particular number of tracks by indies directly to Spotify. On the platform, the managers and acts could then earn 50% of the revenue from those songs being streamed. Continue Reading

Merlin finds streaming music is increasing international revenue for indie labels

Independent label network Merlin has seen its earnings from Latin America increase five-fold in the past three years. Based on current growth rates, Merlin’s 2018 revenue from Latin America are projected to exceed $60 million. Streaming appears to be a key driver of that international growth. Continue Reading

Indies seek a share of major labels’ eventual Spotify stock proceeds; Sony agrees

Spotify’s latest strides toward a direct public offering has led to some speculation around how the labels that own stakes in the streaming company will distribute their windfall. But independent artists and labels are looking for more assurance that they won’t be shortchanged. Continue Reading