Global indie digital rights agency Merlin has announced results of its biennial board elections, including Dave Hansen, Epitaph’s SVP of Business Development, replacing Beggars Group founder Martin Mills as the new Chairman.
This year saw the highest ever number of candidates standing for election, as well the highest ever percentage of members voting, resulting in five new members on the 15-seat board through 2019. New members include Bob Roback (Isolation Network, USA), Nando Luaces (Altafonte Network, Spain), Bruno Guez (Revelator, Israel), Chris Maund (Mushroom Group, Australia) and Masahiro “Jack” Oishi (Maverick D.C., Japan)
Martin Mills served as Chairman since 2011, following the tenure of Bob Frank, and will continue as a board member.
Aligned with Merlin’s globally-facing remit and to ensure the widest possible representation of interests, voting seats for the board are divided into three territorial blocs – with equal representation given to North America, Europe and ROW (rest of the world).
The successful candidates for the period 2017-2019 are, in first name alphabetical order:
North America:
Bob Roback, Isolation Network (US)
Darius Van Arman, Secretly Group (US)
Dave Hansen, Epitaph Records (US) & Merlin Chairman
Justin West, Secret City Records (Canada)
Tom Silverman, Tommy Boy (US)
Europe:
Emmanuel de Buretel, Because Music (France)
Horst Weidenmueller, !K7 Records (Germany)
Martin Mills, Beggars Group (UK)
Michel Lambot, PIAS Group (Belgium)
Nando Luaces, Altafonte Network (Spain)
R.O.W. :
Bruno Guez, Revelator Ltd (Israel)
Chris Maund, Mushroom Group (Australia)
Luciana Pegorer, Delira Musica (Brazil)
Masahiro “Jack” Oishi, Maverick D.C. (Japan)
Yoel Kenan, Africori (South Africa)
The newly elected board will also have the option of appointing up to six non-voting observers.
Commenting on the election results, Charles Caldas, CEO of Merlin said, “In what is a global business, the unique structure of Merlin’s board remains an invaluable asset – allowing us to draw on extensive commercial experience across all continents, and empowering Merlin’s independent label members to succeed on a worldwide stage.”