Marie Ledin, Honorary Doctor of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Marie Ledin was born in Stockholm in 1957 and grew up in Nacka. At 18, she went to the US as an exchange student before returning to Stockholm to study at the Frans Schartaus Business Institute. Marie Ledin came into contact with the music industry early on through her industry-active parents, Stikkan Anderson and Gudrun Rystedt, who met as students at the Ingesund Folk High School in Arvika. She started her own record label called The Record Station in the mid ‘80s. The label was soon acquired by German mega group, Bertelsmann/BMG. She continued to work for BMG until 1993, when she founded another record label, Anderson Records.

"As early as 1979, I was the promotion manager on ABBA’s American tour. It was so much fun! After that, I worked with Ted Gärdestad, and I worked with Ratata, Eva Dahlgren, Mats Ronander, Anders Glenmark, Freda, and Tomas Ledin at Record Station. Then when I founded Anderson Records, I worked with singers like Tomas Andersson Wij and on Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s Swedish album."

Marie Ledin founded Anderson Pocket, a publishing house for paperback books, in 2005. Additionally, she has been a board member for the Polar Music Prize since Stikkan Anderson passed away in 1997, and she became CEO in 2008.
Working in entertainment has been tough during the pandemic, with the entire industry more or less been frozen. And yet, Marie Ledin is optimistic.

"The music industry specifically has transformed completely these past 10 years, with digitisation changing the distribution of music. Plus, the pandemic has caused all kinds of trouble for everyone in culture sector –theatrical techs, stagehands, performers, musicians, actors, make-up artists, casting directors… Everyone in the industry. But I’m optimistic. Culture will find new and exciting paths. Audience restrictions, for instance, will mean more exclusive shows for a limited number of people. Though I have to admit that I can’t wait to go to big live shows again. Being part of a huge crowd experiencing the same concert or play gives you a wonderful sense of community and joy. I miss that feeling."

Marie Ledin has been of great importance to Karlstad University, especially through her involvement with the Ingesund School of Music and her advocacy for student participation in connection with the prestigious Polar Music Prize. In addition, Marie Ledin has greatly contributed to a wider network range, nationally and internationally, for both teachers and students at the University. She has been dedicated in her contribution of ideas as well as contacts in the music world, and she has acted as a reference so that University courses and environments have been able to develop and grow stronger. Through her efforts, Marie Ledin has skilfully contributed to promoting the interaction between Karlstad University studies and the music industry.
 

"I am both proud and honoured to be awarded an honorary doctorate at Karlstad University. Especially since Ingesund Folk High School, located right next to the Ingesund School of Music, was the place where my dear parents, Stikkan and Gudrun, not only studied but also became a couple. I am so grateful and excited!"