Today, Secretly Distribution (SD) names Chris Welz, its longtime Chief Operating Officer, as the company's newest Partner.
The announcement arrives on the heels of Secretly Distribution's biggest year ever in 2025, supporting thousands of releases from more than 100 different record labels and businesses who, like SD, value self-reliance and expansive creativity.
From championing GRAMMY®-nominated, critical and commercial successes from Bon Iver, Japanese Breakfast and Secretly Distribution label partner Hayley Williams/Post Atlantic, to signing new or renewed deals with Third Man Records, Org Music, Ubiquity, Asthmatic Kitty Records, Invada Records and Ipecac Recordings, SD continues its growth under Welz.
In 2025, SD not only achieved a multitude of Gold and Platinum certifications, formed a new APAC division and launched a new bespoke repertoire management system, but it also partnered with Cargo and Beggars Group to secure an independent path to market for physical music in the UK with Cargo Independent Distribution.
Through his tenure as COO, Chris Welz has shaped Secretly's global physical operations, while launching and developing its digital services and DSP relationships – a business that has now exceeded tens of billions of streams and hundreds of billions of social views annually. In his role as Partner, working alongside Secretly Distribution's CEO, Darius Van Arman, Welz will continue to scale the organization in providing hands-on, global distribution services to some of the world's top independent artists, affiliates and labels.
"After two decades at Secretly, stepping into ownership feels like a natural next chapter and an incredible honor," says Chris Welz. "This company has shaped more than a career – it has brought lasting friendships and a tireless devotion to the independent community. I'm filled with gratitude and supercharged for the next phases of our work."
"I have known and worked with Chris Welz for the better part of the last two decades, in my various roles at labels and throughout the music business," adds Anna Bond, Director of Planning & Initiatives at Secretly Distribution. "He has always been both steady-as-she-goes ship's captain, and a person who is clearly inspired by SD's mission and partners. Now that I'm at SD and working directly with Welz on a daily basis, I'm continually reminded why both SD's staff and its ever-growing roster of incredible labels and artist partners are lucky to be under his leadership, and the experience and innovation he brings to the table every day. SD would not be SD if it weren't for the decades of ideas and guidance Welz has brought to the company, and his elevation to partner reflects his crucial contributions."
Darius Van Arman, CEO of Secretly Distribution & Co-Founder of Secretly Group, says, "For over two decades, Chris Welz has been a trusted and tireless colleague, working in various roles at Secretly. He started as an intern and a warehouse shipping assistant, then served as a label manager and our head of digital, eventually rising to his current role of COO. One of my favorite qualities about Chris is that he always meets people where they are at, never makes people feel small, rather, his style of leadership elevates everyone around him. It's why his team flourishes. But it is not only the immense respect he has earned as a leader that makes him extraordinary. It is that he is also a person of great character and sharp business acumen. Thank you, Chris, for propelling SD to where it is now, and for contributing to a workplace culture that so many of us are very proud to be a part of. And now I am proud to call you partner."
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Chriz Welz
Photo by Maerielle
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About Secretly Distribution
For more than 25 years, Secretly Distribution (SD) has been enabling independents to challenge the mainstream. SD is not only a full-service global physical and digital music distributor, but it also provides hands-on marketing, financial and technological support to some of the most exciting record labels and artists across geographies and genres. By supporting businesses who are self-reliant by choice, not just necessity, SD champions the musicians and creative works that drive culture forward.
Among SD's partners are Rhymesayers, Captured Tracks, A24 Music, Touch & Go, Moshi Moshi, Bayonet, Third Man Records, Ipecac Recordings, DFA, Run For Cover, Big Crown, Colemine, Nyege Nyege Tapes, Jazz Is Dead, Ubiquity, Org Music Oh Boy Records, ZZK, Secretly-affiliated labels Dead Oceans, drink sum wtr, Ghostly International, Merge Records, Sacred Bones, Jagjaguwar, Secretly Canadian and the Numero Group – and so many more.
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