Jon Glass Named General Counsel of Merlin, Leading Legal Affairs and Partnerships

Underscores the evolving landscape of the music industry, Merlin, the global indie music licensing organization, has named Jon Glass as its new general counsel. Glass, a seasoned digital legal executive, will be based in New York and report directly to Merlin CEO Charlie Lexton. The appointment marks a significant development in Merlin's organizational structure, as Glass will oversee both business and legal affairs, as well as lead the partnerships team, a first for the organization. The move is designed to enhance coordination between these critical departments, allowing Merlin to better navigate the complexities of the digital music business.

Jon Glass comes to Merlin with a storied career in the music industry. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and head of digital legal affairs at Warner Music Group (WMG), a role he held for the past 16 years. Before joining WMG, Glass worked in digital business and legal affairs at Sony Music Entertainment and practiced law at several firms, including Morrison & Foerster. His extensive experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Merlin. "Jon is one of the most respected legal executives in the digital music business," said Lexton in a statement announcing Glass' appointment. "He brings an exceptional combination of legal expertise and commercial judgement."

As head of the partnerships team, Glass will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key industry players, including streaming services, social media platforms, and AI providers. This is a critical area of focus for Merlin, given the rapidly evolving digital music landscape. "As the digital playing field continues to evolve, we need to ensure we are coordinated in the way we think about the relationships we build with our partners," added Lexton. Glass' appointment reflects Merlin's commitment to adapting to these changes and delivering greater value for its members, independent artists and labels.

Glass' arrival marks a significant shift in Merlin's organizational structure. For the first time, the business and legal affairs departments will be reporting to a single leader. This change is designed to enhance coordination and facilitate more effective decision-making. "Over the course of my career, I've watched the digital business develop from downloads to streaming, social platforms, and now AI services," said Glass in his own statement. "I'm looking forward to putting that experience to work for Merlin, its members, and the independent artists those members represent."

• Jon Glass joins Merlin as general counsel, reporting to CEO Charlie Lexton
• Glass will oversee business and legal affairs, as well as lead the partnerships team
• Merlin's previous general counsel, Neil Miller, departed in January after two years with the organization
• Glass spent 16 years at Warner Music Group (WMG), most recently as senior vice president and head of digital legal affairs

As the music industry continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation, Merlin's decision to appoint a single leader for its business and legal affairs departments is a shrewd move. With Jon Glass at the helm, the organization is well-positioned to adapt to the ever-changing landscape and deliver greater value for its members.