While at Facebook, Sirota led the company’s efforts to license and acquire recorded music rights from independent record labels and distributors around the world, thereby enabling social music features across Facebook, Instagram, Oculus and Messenger.
Based in both New York and London, he succeeds Charles Caldas who served as Merlin’s CEO since the agency’s founding in 2007.
Sirota, a widely respected and experienced executive in music and technology, ‘has a proven track record for negotiating complex and strategic commercial partnerships, and for driving digital innovation across the recorded music business,’ according to the release announcing his appointment.
Sirota also previously held a number of senior positions at Warner Music Group, culminating in his appointment as SVP and Head of Business & Legal Affairs for both Warner-Elektra–Atlantic (WEA), Warner’s artist and label services division, and Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), Warner’s indie distribution arm.
In his role at ADA, Sirota helped deliver some of the largest distribution deals in the company’s history and built longstanding relationships throughout the global independent music sector.
He worked directly with ADA’s roster of label partners, including Beggars Group, BMG, Dim Mak, Domino, Dualtone, Epitaph, Merge, Nettwerk, Partisan, Polyvinyl, Sub Pop, Tommy Boy and Triple Crown.
Sirota’s remit also included support for Asylum Records, and helping to establish Level Music, WMG’s distribution platform for self-releasing artists.
Prior to his work at Facebook and Warner Music Group, Sirota was an Associate at Morrison & Forster, LLP, New York, in their Technology Transactions Group.
He is currently a mentor to the TechStars Music Accelerator Program.
Merlin’s senior management team is completed by Charlie Lexton (CCO) and Helen Alexander (CFO), both based in the UK, and Jim Mahoney (VP Global Operations) in the US.
In addition to Sirota’s appointment, Dave Hansen will move into a new role as Executive Chairperson.
“In addition to his experience at Facebook, Jeremy brings a deep-seated knowledge of independent music and a reputation for embracing new, exciting and transformational technologies.”
Dave Hansen, Merlin
Hansen, former GM, Epitaph Records, said: “Having committed to an incredibly rigorous and wide-reaching search, Merlin has found an exceptional individual to lead the organization forward.
“In addition to his experience at Facebook, Jeremy brings a deep-seated knowledge of independent music and a reputation for embracing new, exciting and transformational technologies.
“We believe he can build on the groundbreaking work of Charles Caldas and ensure Merlin’s membership continues to thrive in a global digital music market.”
“Merlin’s team of executives and employees are widely respected throughout the music and DSP communities, and I look forward to working closely with them to write the next chapter.”
Jeremy Sirota
Jeremy Sirota, CEO, Merlin, said: “I am honored by this opportunity to lead Merlin and serve independents throughout the world.
“Merlin’s team of executives and employees are widely respected throughout the music and DSP communities, and I look forward to working closely with them to write the next chapter.
“With the digital music market potentially on the brink of another wave of transformative change, it’s vital that independents continue to have an organization that represents their interests, ensures the value of their repertoire is respected, and keeps pace with innovation.”
“I’m delighted that we’ve found in Jeremy an executive with deep experience in both the tech and music worlds to build upon Charles Caldas’ exceptional work.”
Martin Mills, Merlin board member and Beggars Group chairman, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve found in Jeremy an executive with deep experience in both the tech and music worlds to build upon Charles Caldas’ exceptional work.
“He has all the credentials to help write Merlin’s next chapter. With our new CEO, the right executive team, and a strong, newly-elected board, Merlin will continue to thrive and empower independents in this new decade.”
Merlin is also announcing today the results of its biennial board elections, with eight new executives joining the organisation’s 15-member board.
The new incoming board members are: Alexandria Hock (Better Noise Music), Carlos Mills (Mills Records), Chan Kim (FLUXUS, Inc), Katie Alberts (Reach Records), Marie Clausen (Ninja Tune), Merida Sussex (Stolen Recordings), Michael Ugwu (Freeme Digital) and Pieter van Rijn (FUGA).
Merlin’s board is divided into three territorial blocs with equal representation given to North America, Europe and ROW.
In first name alphabetical order, the full Merlin board is as follows:
