Merlin announces 20% reduction in label administration fee

Global digital rights agency Merlin has announced that it would reduce the administration fee it charges labels on commercial deals by 20%, from 2.5% to 2%. 

This is not the first time that Merlin has cut down the admin fee it charges labels, which is now just a quarter of what it was four years ago. 

Merlin’s CEO Charles Caldas commented: “Merlin’s members are the bedrock of our organisation and following a year that saw such significant expansion in our activities, it is hugely satisfying to announce today’s 20% reduction in Administration Fees. We look forward  to delivering even greater value in 2016 as we help our members grow their businesses in the year ahead.”

As the number Merlin members grows (705, representing tens of thousands of indie labels) so do its revenues. Merlin’s expansion is likely at the heart of its ability to reduce the admin fee, which is charged to cover its costs, in spite of the expansion of its operations to the US and the addition of new staff in the London office. 

(Andrea Leonelli)