Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota Announces Exit End 2025

Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin, the global digital rights agency for independent music, announced he will step down at the end of 2025 after nearly six years in the role. Under his leadership since 2020, Merlin significantly expanded its influence by securing major licensing deals with platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Snap Inc., Twitch, and others, enabling independent labels to leverage collective bargaining power against major labels. Sirota, with a background as a technology attorney and experience at Warner Music Group and Facebook Music, oversaw growth in Merlin's membership by over 100 members and launched initiatives including Merlin Engage, a mentorship program for women executives, and Merlin Insights, a data analytics tool. Merlin faced challenges during his tenure, including a dispute with TikTok, which chose to bypass Merlin to strike direct licensing deals with some members, a move Merlin criticized as an attempt to fragment their collective. The Merlin Board and Chairperson Darius Van Arman praised Sirota for his focus, energy, and leadership in preparing Merlin to navigate a complex music licensing landscape. Despite Sirota's departure, both he and the organization express optimism about Merlin's future as a key representative for independent music rights holders.