Reverb, the leading global marketplace for musicians, is undergoing a significant transformation as it prepares to exit Etsy’s ownership and shift to new leadership under Creator Partners and Servco.
The acquisition, expected to close in the coming months, will convert Reverb from a public company subsidiary to a privately-held entity, though financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed.
At the helm of this pivotal shift stands David Mandelbrot, Reverb’s CEO, who will guide the company through its strategic redirection following the change in ownership.
David Mandelbrot leads Reverb through a strategic transformation as the marketplace transitions to new private ownership.
Mandelbrot will work closely with Kerry Trainor, the founder of Creator Partners and former chief executive of both SoundCloud and Vimeo, leveraging his extensive experience in digital music platforms to reshape Reverb’s future.
Creator Partners, an investment firm focused on digital transformation within creative industries, has previously backed major music organizations including BMI and SoundCloud.
This expertise positions them well to enhance Reverb’s standing as the premier marketplace for musicians seeking instruments and gear.
The new leadership is prioritizing community-centric improvements to the platform, with plans to enhance search functionality, streamline shipping processes, and expedite support issue resolution.
Among the innovations being piloted is a new selling option that allows musicians to receive payment more rapidly without traditional listing and shipping requirements.
Technological advancements will play a central role in Reverb’s evolution, particularly through expanding access to music-making software and creating more seamless commerce experiences.
These modernization efforts aim to support contemporary music creation while maintaining the platform’s unique connection to its community of musicians.
Trainor’s background at SoundCloud, where the platform focused on artist-first vision, provides valuable insight for Reverb’s community engagement strategies and creator support initiatives.
Despite the significant organizational changes, Reverb remains committed to strengthening its position as the dominant marketplace for musical equipment.
The partnership with Servco brings significant historical credibility, as the company has been involved in the musical instrument industry since 1937 and was part of Fender’s acquisition from CBS in 1985.
The company’s leadership views the shift from Etsy to Creator Partners and Servco not merely as a change in ownership but as an opportunity to reinvigorate the platform with innovations that better serve its music-making community worldwide.
The platform aims to become a valuable resource for independent artists looking to build their careers by offering tools that support revenue opportunities while maintaining their creative independence.
Reverb also plans to develop educational resources that teach users essential techniques for various instruments, helping musicians improve their skills while shopping for gear.
