Suno hires ex-Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota who doubled revenue to $1.8 billion to lead music industry deals:

Key Highlights:

• Suno hired former Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota to lead commercial strategy and music industry partnerships
• Sirota doubled Merlin’s annual revenue from $900 million to $1.8 billion and signed the industry’s first major generative AI licensing framework
• The appointment signals Suno’s push toward formal licensing agreements with traditional music rightsholders

Former Merlin CEO Joins Leading AI Music Generator

The AI music generator Suno announced today that Jeremy Sirota will serve as Chief Commercial Officer. Sirota stepped down from his role at Merlin, the digital licensing partner representing independent labels worldwide.

His track record includes landmark deals with Apple, Meta, Spotify, and YouTube. He also negotiated Merlin’s early AI partnerships, proving he understands how to build compensation for music in emerging formats.

Sirota Will Lead Platform and Label Partnerships

Sirota will oversee commercial strategy, music industry relationships, and enterprise solutions. He reports directly to CEO Mikey Shulman.

“Jeremy is a rare leader who has spent his career working to improve every side of the music business,” Shulman said. “What truly sets him apart is his ability to build what doesn’t yet exist, finding opportunity where others see obstacles.”

Suno recently partnered with Warner Music Group and launched Suno Studio for multi-track editing. The platform’s stem-level editing and musical identity features position it as a production tool, not a novelty.

Licensing Expert Hire Addresses Industry Royalty Problem

This move mirrors how Spotify and YouTube legitimized their platforms by hiring music executives to negotiate licenses. Generative AI companies face massive copyright lawsuits. Bringing in someone who solved the royalty problem for independents signals Suno wants sustainable agreements, not legal battles.

You should ensure your metadata is accurate with your PRO and distributor. When platforms pay for AI training data, only artists with clean administrative records will see compensation. Companies like Hook already offer licensed songs as a model for authorized creation.