Exciting news in the music world! Charlie Lexton is stepping up as the new CEO of indie licensing powerhouse Merlin, officially from January 1st! Announced on November 12, this marks a thrilling new chapter as Lexton takes over the reins from Jeremy Sirota, who’s been at the helm since 2020.
So, what’s the vibe with Charlie Lexton? He’s been with Merlin since it kicked off in 2007 and became the organization’s COO in 2020. Lexton has been shaking things up, making epic licensing deals with streamers and social media platforms, plus partnering with AI audio legends ElevenLabs! His leadership saw a $125 million windfall for Merlin's members thanks to selling an equity interest in Spotify—talk about making moves!
Before Merlin, Charlie wasn’t just any music industry guy. He co-founded the uber-cool London indie label Dorado Records and has a killer background as a DJ, songwriter, and producer, even doing big things at giants like UMG and EMI.
Charlie says he’s buzzing to lead Merlin, highlighting how crucial his team and Merlin’s members are to smashing the independent music scene. His vision? Empower more female trailblazers in the industry and push forward projects that keep Merlin fierce and free.
Outgoing CEO Sirota and Merlin’s leadership, including Darius Van Arman and Marie Clausen, are pumped about Charlie taking the baton. They’re confident that he’ll not only keep Merlin growing but seriously amp up its influence worldwide.
With a record-smashing $1.64 billion in revenue and super low admin fees, the future of Merlin under Charlie’s leadership is looking seriously fresh!