Merlin 4 - RAIN News

Merlin is the newest partner for SoundCloud’s monetization program

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Anna Washenko

SoundCloud has signed an agreement with Merlin that will enable the independent agency’s more than 20,000 labels and distributors to earn money on the platform. The people represented by Merlin will be able to earn royalties from the On SoundCloud advertising program and they will reportedly have involvement in the streaming platform’s upcoming subscription service as well. Terms of the partnership have not been disclosed. Continue Reading →

Merlin enters into pan-Asian deal with KKBOX

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Asian streaming platform KKBOX has inked a partnership with Merlin, an independent digital rights agency. As a result of the deal, some of the 20,000 independent labels and distributors represented by Merlin will be featured on the Taiwan-based streaming service. The deal covers Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Continue Reading →

Quick Hits: Cassette and vinyl comebacks; Nielsen on millennial men; Billboard on Merlin’s magic

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Anna Washenko

Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: The return of cassettes; the return of vinyl; Nielsen on marketing to millennial men; more on Merlin/Pandora. Continue Reading →

YouTube reaches deal with Merlin, paving way for new subscription service

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Anna Washenko

YouTube has reportedly reached an agreement with indie music rights agency Merlin for its subscription music service, according to Financial Times. If the news is confirmed, this would be a major win for the video network. Merlin represents some 20,000 indie labels, and an agreement with that group helps to round out YouTube’s alliances with the top record labels; it already has arrangements with Universal, Sony, and Warner. Continue Reading →

Pandora signs first direct label deal with Merlin

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Anna Washenko

Pandora inked its first direct record-label deal thanks to its new partnership with Merlin. Under this arrangement, Pandora will negotiate its payments directly with the independent rights group for the music Merlin represents rather than paying the Copyright Royalty Board’s statutory rates. Continue Reading →

QUICK HITS: Merlin and Pandora execs speak out

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Brad Hill

Merlin CEO criticizes label deals: In a conversation with Janko Roettgers of GigaOm, Charles Caldas, head of prominent indie-label consortium Merlin, points to a basic aspect of business modeling behind Spotify, iTunes Radio, and other major players. The advance payments… Continue Reading →