New Composer Agency, MRKR Opens in the UK

Above: (Pictured at AIR Lyndhurst Hall in London) Gary Downing, managing director of MRKR; Kamila Serkebaeva, director of AIR Studios

AIR Studios in London has opened a composer agency wing under the name MRKR. Founded by Gary Downing and the AIR directors, and spearheaded by Kamila Serkebaeva, the philosophy of MRKR is to be a destination for full-service needs from fostering new talent to established composer career development and all while using the AIR Studios ethos to do everything necessary to help the client fulfil their creative goals. AIR has spent the last five years investing in the growth of its brand, its facilities, and its staff to maintain its iconic status. Composer clients will benefit from collaborative relationships with AIR’s roster of freelance engineers, and mastering services, as well as being connected to a unique community of creative individuals that has been cultivated through years of experience and reputation that AIR has garnered in both the composer and production communities. 

Gary Downing, MD of MRKR commented, “I am so excited to be partnering with AIR to form MRKR. With my experience and particular skill set, coupled with AIR’s rich musical history, respected engineer roster and worldwide reputation at the pinnacle of recording services (across the studios, mixing and mastering facilities), we have a real opportunity to build a distinctive company with a genuine point of difference - able to solve all of the problems of the modern composer and artist, and serve the industry in a dynamic way, putting a marker down for what exceptional global representation should look like.”

Kamila Serkebaeva, director of AIR Studios said, “Since AIR's acquisition in 2018 and under new management, we have undergone full rebranding, purchased a successful mastering house, and completed a multi-million renovation of our Lyndhurst site in 2022. Having been at the centre of orchestral music production for decades, we came to think of entering the composer agency space as the next natural step.  

We feel very fortunate to have Gary Downing to lead our new venture. Gary is a music industry expert and a collaborative leader with strong business acumen and a uniquely creative instinct.”