Chris Welz named companion at Secretly Distribution after firm’s ‘greatest 12 months ever’

Secretly Distribution (SD) has named its longtime Chief Working Officer, Chris Welz, as the corporate’s latest Companion.

Welz, who has spent 20 years at Secretly, is credited with shaping the unbiased music distributor’s world bodily operations throughout his COO tenure whereas launching and growing its digital providers and DSP relationships.

As Companion, working alongside Secretly Distribution’s CEO, Darius Van Arman, Welz will “proceed to scale the group in offering hands-on, world distribution providers” to main unbiased artists, associates and labels.

“After 20 years at Secretly, getting into possession looks like a pure subsequent chapter and an unimaginable honor.”

CHRIS WELZ, Secretly Distribution

Talking about his appointment, Welz mentioned: “After 20 years at Secretly, getting into possession looks like a pure subsequent chapter and an unimaginable honor. This firm has formed greater than a profession – it has introduced lasting friendships and a tireless devotion to the unbiased group. I’m crammed with gratitude and supercharged for the subsequent phases of our work.”

The announcement comes on the heels of Secretly Distribution’s “greatest 12 months ever”, in accordance with the agency, after supporting 1000’s of releases from greater than 100 document labels and companies in 2025, and attaining a “multitude” of Gold and Platinum certifications.

“For over 20 years, Chris Welz has been a trusted and tireless colleague.”

Darius Van Arman, Secretly Distribution

Notable successes have included Bon Iver, Japanese Breakfast, and SD label companion Hayley Williams/Publish Atlantic.

The corporate has additionally lately signed new or renewed offers with Third Man Information, Org Music, Ubiquity, Asthmatic Kitty Information, Invada Information, and Ipecac Recordings.

“For over 20 years, Chris Welz has been a trusted and tireless colleague, working in numerous roles at Secretly,” mentioned Darius Van Arman, CEO of Secretly Distribution & Co-Founding father of Secretly Group. “He began as an intern and a warehouse delivery assistant, then served as a label supervisor and our head of digital, finally rising to his present position of COO.

“Certainly one of my favourite qualities about Chris is that he all the time meets individuals the place they’re at, by no means makes individuals really feel small, slightly, his model of management elevates everybody round him. It’s why his group prospers. However it’s not solely the immense respect he has earned as a pacesetter that makes him extraordinary. It’s that he’s additionally an individual of nice character and sharp enterprise acumen.

“Thanks, Chris, for propelling SD to the place it’s now, and for contributing to a office tradition that so many people are very proud to be part of. And now I’m proud to name you companion.”

“SD wouldn’t be SD if it weren’t for the a long time of concepts and steerage Welz has delivered to the corporate.”

Anna Bond, Secretly Distribution

The distributor’s roster contains Rhymesayers, Captured Tracks, A24 Music, Contact & Go, Moshi Moshi, Bayonet, DFA, Run For Cowl, Massive Crown, Colemine, Nyege Nyege Tapes, Jazz Is Useless, Oh Boy Information, ZZK, Secretly-affiliated labels Useless Oceans, drink sum wtr, Ghostly Worldwide, Merge Information, Sacred Bones, Jagjaguwar, Secretly Canadian and the Numero Group, and extra.

Anna Bond, Director of Planning & Initiatives at Secretly Distribution, added: “I’ve identified and labored with Chris Welz for the higher a part of the final 20 years, in my numerous roles at labels and all through the music enterprise. He has all the time been each steady-as-she-goes ship’s captain, and an individual who’s clearly impressed by SD’s mission and companions.

“Now that I’m at SD and dealing straight with Welz every day, I’m frequently reminded why each SD’s workers and its ever-growing roster of unimaginable labels and artist companions are fortunate to be underneath his management, and the expertise and innovation he brings to the desk each day. SD wouldn’t be SD if it weren’t for the a long time of concepts and steerage Welz has delivered to the corporate, and his elevation to companion displays his essential contributions.”

In 2025, Secretly Distribution opened an workplace within the Asia-Pacific area and promoted two executives, in addition to launching a brand new bespoke repertoire administration system.

The earlier 12 months, alongside Beggars Group, it entered right into a strategic partnership with Cargo Information within the UK to launch a brand new distribution firm referred to as Cargo Unbiased Distribution (CID).Music Enterprise Worldwide