Secretly Group Takes 50% Stake in Merge Records

Secretly Group has acquired a 50% stake in Merge Records, forming a major partnership between two leading American indie music companies. Merge, renowned for albums by acts like Neutral Milk Hotel and Arcade Fire, will continue to operate as a standalone label while leveraging Secretly’s global distribution and infrastructure. The deal coincides with the departure of co-founder Laura Ballance after 36 years, with Mac McCaughan remaining as label president and head of A&R. Key Merge staff, including label director Christina Rentz, marketing director Jamie Beck, and head of digital Wilson Fuller, will stay in their roles. The partnership was initiated in part due to Ballance’s exit and extends Merge's longstanding collaboration with Secretly Distribution. Superchunk’s forthcoming album will be the first Merge release distributed globally by Secretly under the new arrangement.