Meisel Musikverlage celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, making it one of Germany’s oldest independent music publishing companies.
Founded in Berlin by composer and publisher Wilhelm ‘Will’ Meisel in 1926, the company began during a period when records, radio, sound films, house music and dance bands were all creating huge demand for hit songs.
The business was rebuilt following the Second World War, with a focus on evergreens, and expanded into music production, record labels and print publishing. It later developed a wide network of publishing interests.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Meisel was a prominent player in the rising demand for Schlager music while also responding to technological change and the growing profile of recording artists. The company moved away from sheet music printing and founded one of the first publishing labels, MONOPOL, paving the way for record production.
Meisel evolved over the following decades as it was passed down through the family, with each new custodian adapting to changing industry landscapes. Will Meisel’s sons, producers Peter and Thomas, navigated the effects of major format changes between 1967 and 1991, adding other branches to the organisation, including Hansa Musik Produktion, Hansa Records and Hansa Tonstudio, to create the Meisel Group, and acquiring the publishing company Radio Music International from Radio Luxembourg.
Sven Meisel, the adopted son of Thomas Meisel, became the company’s third-generation Managing Director in 1998. At this point, the company faced changing musical tastes, increasing competition from the major labels, and significant technological changes, including the boom in ringtones and the transition from CDs to streaming.
Kirsten Meisel took over the management of Meisel Musikverlage, the MONOPOL label and Hansa Studios in 2016 following the untimely death of her husband, Sven.
She took charge at a particularly difficult time. Alongside the personal circumstances, the publishing sector was dealing with major legal challenges surrounding publisher participation in Germany. This led GEMA to require Meisel to confirm its legal relationships with authors across its catalogue and digitise contract documents spanning nearly 100 years of publishing history.
Since then, under the leadership of Kirsten Meisel, the business has continued to modernise its structures through digitalisation, expand its international activities, and develop new creative partnerships, including the merger of Meisel and Lucile Musik Verlag to create Lucile-Meisel Musikverlag – the largest Schlager music publishing company in Europe.
Now, Kirsten Meisel discusses the company’s 100-year history, how it has survived repeated changes in the music business, what was required when she took over, and how she sees Meisel’s future as a creative, international music publisher that remains independent and family-owned to this day.
How would you describe Meisel’s position in the market today and the legacy it has at this 100 year milestone?
100 years after its founding, Meisel is one of the oldest independent music publishing companies in Germany, and at the same time a company that has continuously evolved. Our legacy is not only defined by an exceptional catalogue and a remarkable history, but above all by our ability to actively shape every generation of the music business.
From the Roaring Twenties and the era of early film music, through the record industry and the CD era, to today’s streaming and digital platforms, Meisel has continuously reinvented itself. The Hansa Studios, which are part of our company, are still used today by artists from all over the world – and to me, this very much shows how alive this history remains.
I am very proud of that. Today, we see ourselves as a modern, creative and internationally connected music company with strong roots and a clear outlook towards the future.
What do you owe Meisel’s longevity to?
The most important reason is our ability to adapt. Over the past 100 years, the music industry has undergone fundamental changes time and again, and every generation of the Meisel family has found new ways to respond to them.
At the same time, some values have remained constant: staying close to creative talent, having the courage to embrace new opportunities, and thinking for the long term. Meisel has never been a company that simply follows short-term trends. We invest in relationships, in repertoire, and in creative talent.
I believe it is this combination of continuity and a willingness to embrace change that has carried us through a century of music history.
You took the helm under what must have been very difficult circumstances. How did you manage that and what was needed for the company at the time?
When I took over the company in 2016, it was following the untimely passing of my husband, Sven Meisel. It was an immense challenge, both personally and professionally.
At that moment, the company needed stability, confidence and a clear vision for the future. My goal was to preserve the family’s legacy while also setting a course for the next chapter. I was fortunate to have the support of a dedicated team, long-standing partners, and the trust of our songwriters and composers.
Together, we modernised our processes, advanced the digitalisation of our historical contracts and catalogue, and introduced new creative initiatives. Looking back, I believe the key was never to see tradition and innovation as opposites, but to bring them together.
What do you feel have been your biggest achievements since taking over?
What I am most proud of is that we have secured the company’s future without losing our identity.
This has included modernising our structures through digitalisation, expanding our international activities, developing new creative partnerships, and establishing Lucile-Meisel Musikverlag GmbH in 2020. It was equally important to lead the company successfully through the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring its long-term stability.
I have also been delighted to see the continued success of Hansa Studios. The fact that international artists such as Harry Styles or Coldplay choose to work there because of its unique atmosphere and history reassures us that we are continuing on the right path.
Ultimately, the fact that Meisel is now creatively, economically, and strategically well positioned is something I see as a shared achievement of our entire team.
"Today, music is available everywhere and reaches people all over the world. That is a tremendous opportunity. At the same time, we should never forget that behind every song are people who invest their creativity, their time and their passion."
How has the industry changed since you’ve been at the company and how has the company had to change as a result?
The pace of change has accelerated dramatically. Streaming, global platforms, social media, and data-driven business models have fundamentally transformed the music industry.
For music publishers, this means thinking about rights on an international scale, embracing new forms of exploitation, while at the same time protecting the interests of songwriters and composers. We have responded by introducing more efficient digital processes, modern rights management, and strengthening our international network.
At the same time, we have come to realise that creative collaboration is more important than ever. That is why we continue to invest in songwriting sessions, international collaborations and the development of new talent.
What’s your vision for the future of Meisel?
My vision is for Meisel to remain an independent, creative and internationally relevant music publisher for decades to come.
We want to continue to be a home for exceptional musical works and to support our songwriters and composers in the best possible way. At the same time, technological developments – from new digital opportunities to artificial intelligence – will continue to transform our industry. Our goal is to embrace these changes while always keeping the value of creative work at the centre of everything we do.
That also means continuing to develop Hansa Studios as a unique creative space. They are an important part of our history and demonstrate that great music is created where people come together to share ideas and inspire one another.
Ultimately, it is about preserving our company’s legacy while supporting the next generation of music creators.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
I would like to see greater recognition of the value of creative work.
Today, music is available everywhere and reaches people all over the world. That is a tremendous opportunity. At the same time, we should never forget that behind every song are people who invest their creativity, their time and their passion.
The future of our industry depends on ensuring that creators are fairly rewarded and that their rights continue to be effectively protected in an increasingly digital and technology-driven world. That should be a shared responsibility for everyone in our industry.
