Merck Mercuriadis is a globally renowned music industry executive, entrepreneur, and artist manager with a career spanning over four decades.

As the Founder and former Chairman of Hipgnosis Song Management, Founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund, a London FTSE 250 listed company, and Hipgnosis Songs Capital in partnership with Blackstone, Mercuriadis built a pioneering music investment company, rooted in strong artist and songwriter relationships, that successfully reshaped the value of the music ecosystem by proving the economic and cultural might of songs, turning creator and industry-owned intellectual property rights into a respected asset class.

Mercuriadis invested $3 billion in an unrivalled portfolio of 150 extraordinarily successful and culturally important catalogues including those of Neil Young, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nile Rodgers, Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie/Fleetwood Mac, Shakira, Leonard Cohen, The-Dream, Steve Winwood, Justin Timberlake, Journey, Justin Bieber, Timbaland, The RZA, David A. Stewart/Eurythmics, Jimmy Iovine, Chris Cornell/Soundgarden, Kenny Chesney, Mark Ronson, Richie Sambora/Bon Jovi, Nelly Furtado, Carole Bayer Sager and Chrissie Hynde/The Pretenders.

The catalogue includes more than 25% of the Spotify Billions Club and over 10% of Rolling Stone’s Top 500 songs of all time, 14 of YouTube' Top 30 Most Viewed Videos of All Time (49%) and 61 of Billboard's 500 Best Pop Songs Of All Time (12%), 7 of Billboard’s 16 longest-running US No.1 hits, 31% of the UK’s Top 100 streamed singles [2014-2024], 56% of the UK’s Top 100 streamed albums [2014-2024], No 1, 5 and 9 on Spotify’s 2024 global streaming chart: Sabrina Carpenter, Teddy Swims and Taylor Swift.

Highlights include Don’t Stop Believin’, Hallelujah, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), Umbrella, Shape Of You, Go Your Own Way, Heart Of Gold, Higher Love, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Like A Virgin, Let’s Dance, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Get Lucky, Smooth, Le Freak, Hips Don’t Lie, Under The Bridge, Livin’ On A Prayer, Maneater, Good Times, Black Hole Sun, I’ll Stand By You, Uptown Funk, Despacito, Can’t Stop The Feeling, That’s What Friends Are For and many more.

In July 2024, Blackstone acquired all the Hipgnosis companies.

Throughout his career, Mercuriadis has managed a roster of iconic artists including Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, Morrissey, Iron Maiden, Pet Shop Boys, Mary J. Blige, Jane's Addiction, Diane Warren, Justin Tranter and Beyoncé to name a few. His work has consistently and passionately emphasised the value of songwriters and creators, helping to elevate their status within the music ecosystem.

Mercuriadis has announced the launch of a new company focused on Artist Partnerships including artist management companies and music catalogues, structured to give artists, songwriters, producers and managers ownership stakes, a new business that exemplifies his life-long passion for championing artists’ rights.

His new venture has already secured significant institutional backing, and once again sees Mercuriadis and his partners reshaping the music landscape with a bold, creator-first vision that challenges the status quo.

The Value Shift

Speakers

Merck Mercuriadis

Moderators

Tim Ingham