Overview

• Secretly Group’s 50% acquisition brings Merge Records under the same umbrella as its core labels Dead Oceans, Jagjaguwar, Saddest Factory and Secretly Canadian.
• The deal formalizes a long-running distribution partnership and expands Secretly Group’s control over Merge’s global distribution.
• Co-founder Laura Ballance is stepping down as co-president after 36 years to pursue art, travel and writing projects.
• Remaining co-founder Mac McCaughan will continue as label president and head of A&R, with senior Merge staff retained.
• Superchunk’s album 'Songs in the Key of Yikes', due August 22, will be the first Merge release distributed worldwide under the expanded agreement.