The new globally focused indie label digital rights body Merlin, which was initiated at MIDEM earlier this year, has been formally incorporated and its inaugural board has been announced. As expected, the elected board has fifteen members, five from North America, five from Europe and five from the rest of the world. The founding board members are as follows:
North America: Kevin Arnold, Founder and CEO IODA; Susan Ferris, Founder and CEO Long Live Crime Records; Bob Frank, President Koch Records; Tom Silverman, Chairman and CEO Tommy Boy Records; plus one Canadian representative still to be appointed.
Europe: Stephan Bourdoiseau, President Wagram Music, France; Michel Lambot, co-President PIAS Group, Belgium; Martin Mills, Chairman Beggars Group; Hein Van der Ree, Managing Director Epitaph Europe, Netherlands; Horst Weidenmueller, CEO !K7, Germany.
ROW: Mark Kneebone, President Tardus Music, New Zealand; Clive Hardwick, Director, BULA Music, South Africa; Takashi Kamide, Senior Adviser MS Entertainment, Japan; Yongge Shen, founder Zu Shu Entertainment, China; Eduardo Muszkat, president MCD Entertainment, Brazil.
These elected directors will work alongside the organisations two permanent directors - Worldwide Independent Network President Alison Wenham and the body's CEO Charles Caldas.