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PODCAST

The Manager"s Playbook

The Manager"s Playbook

Hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, a music industry executive of 15 years, The Manager"s Playbook is your essential podcast for insights into the music industry. Whether you"re an artist, aspiring manager, music industry professional, or just passionate about the behind-the-scenes of the music business, this podcast is for you. Mauricio brings you in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry execs. Each episode is packed with valuable tips, real-world experiences,

music

All Episodes

00:21:08

Inside the Playbook: Chris Taylor on How Artist...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/08/08

Chris Taylor knows the role of the music manager has changed forever.In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, he shares why he launched a management company in 2024 and how managers today are building infrastructure, owning assets, and playing a bigger role than ever in an artist’s career.From navigating platforms like Spotify and TikTok to building specialized teams, Chris unpacks the power shift from labels to management, the strategic value of market share, and why touring and digital marketing

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01:57:14

The Manager’s Playbook 033: Chris Taylor – Last Gang...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/08/05

Chris Taylor has done it all: music lawyer, label founder, global executive, and now CEO of Hall of Fame Management. But his story didn’t start with a major deal. It started with a $35K personal bet on a band called Metric and a refusal to let talent get buried by industry politics.In this episode, Chris joins Mauricio Ruiz to talk about the hard-earned lessons behind his journey, what it really means to build infrastructure, why some artists succeed without being the most strategic, and how the

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00:19:22

Inside the Playbook: Nick Ruffalo on The Real Reason...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/08/04

What actually builds an artist brand in 2025?In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo to break down the modern-day strategy behind artist branding, content creation, and music marketing. Together, they explore why branding is about emotional consistency, not just aesthetics, and how artists can build meaningful connections in an oversaturated digital world.From Coca-Cola’s visual identity to artist content funnels, the conversation unpacks the three core

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00:20:39

Inside the Playbook: Nick Ruffalo on The Real Secret...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/08/03

In 2025, music marketing isn’t optional. It’s the engine behind every artist breakout.In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo to break down what branding, content, and strategy really look like in today’s landscape. They unpack how artist brands are built not just through visuals, but through voice, clarity, and emotional connection, and why artists need to understand their content funnel if they want to grow a real audience.From discovery to conversion,

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00:21:58

Inside the Playbook: Nick Ruffalo on Why Record...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/08/02

The label question isn’t major vs. indie. It’s alignment vs. confusion.In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo to unpack the evolving role of record labels in 2025. They go deep into what a modern label actually offers, what artists should demand, and how smart teams are building digital departments that prioritize branding, content, and true audience engagement.Nick shares hard-won lessons from building strategy inside Big Loud Rock, and why passion,

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00:20:04

Inside the Playbook: Nick Ruffalo on The Real Reason...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/08/01

What separates artists who get skipped from those who build legacy?In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo, SVP of Digital at Big Loud Rock and founder of Unleashed, to unpack what it really takes to build an artist brand that connects.They dive into why great music isn’t enough anymore, how the 80/20 rule still shapes careers, and why understanding your archetype might be the unlock your brand has been missing. From the creator to the rebel to the best

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02:07:26

The Manager’s Playbook 032: Nick Ruffalo - Artist...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/29

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo, SVP of Digital Marketing & Audience Engagement at Big Loud Records and founder of Unleashed, for a sharp, unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build an artist brand in 2025.Nick breaks down the difference between branding and content (hint: most artists confuse the two), how to build trust before traction, and why clarity, not aesthetics, is the foundation of a scalable music career. They dive

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00:21:09

Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on How YouTube...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/28

YouTube isn’t just for views. It’s for building worlds.In this episode, we unpack why YouTube remains one of the most powerful tools in an artist’s strategy, especially in an era where the music business has shifted from gatekeeping to global access.Tuma Basa breaks down how to actually use the platform: consistency, storytelling, thumbnails, appointment drops, and understanding the full power of its grid.We also get into the deeper layer; why content is now infrastructure, how to lead with value,

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00:20:57

Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on The Difference...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/27

Tuma Basa didn’t just build playlists. He built a perspective shaped by continents, cultures, and connection.In this clip, we unpack his global journey through music and media: growing up across countries, working through legacy and startup ecosystems, and choosing YouTube over traditional label paths.We talk about why real connection beats transactional networking, why music is more service than product, and what it means to listen, not just hear.Tuma also shares why trust, curiosity, and cultural

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00:14:22

Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on The Culture Clash...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/24

Timbaland made headlines by signing the first AI artist but the real story goes deeper.In this clip, Tuma Basa and I dive into the tension between tech and tradition in music. From generative AI tools to the industry’s emotional resistance, we explore how this moment mirrors past disruptions; Auto-Tune, sampling, even the rise of the DJ.We ask the uncomfortable questions: Is AI a tool or a threat? Is resistance just fear in disguise? And what does it really mean to keep art human in a tech-driven

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00:12:46

Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on What's REALLY...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/23

The future of music in Africa is full of energy but the infrastructure isn’t there yet.In this clip, Tuma Basa and I unpack the real story behind the rise of African music. From venue shortages and publishing gaps to the global influence of organizations like Live Nation and investors like China, we explore what it’ll take to build something sustainable.We also spotlight emerging African artists, festivals making real impact, and why the passion for music discovery is still alive, even in a

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02:10:50

The Manager’s Playbook 031: Tuma Basa - RapCaviar,...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/22

In Episode 031 of The Manager’s Playbook, Tuma Basa, former head of Spotify's RapCaviar and Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube, joins Mauricio Ruiz for a deep dive into the evolution of music curation, platform strategy, and long-term artist relevance.Tuma shares his journey from BET to Spotify to YouTube, and breaks down how emotional intelligence, cultural adaptability, and curiosity have shaped his leadership. They talk YouTube as global TV, the impact of Gen AI on creativity, and

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00:15:36

Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on Why Why the...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/18

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I talk with Mag Rodriguez about the artist who helped change everything: LaRussell.After being introduced to EVEN, LaRussell became the platform’s first artist, and the proof of concept. What followed was a masterclass in independent strategy: $27K in just hours, $100K within a month, and a new blueprint for how artists can scale without relying on traditional systems.We talk about how skepticism turned into belief, how smart work can outperform luck, and how

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00:14:56

Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on How He Got...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/17

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez to talk about the journey few founders ever get to share, what it means to break into venture capital as a Latino entrepreneur.Mag opens up about growing up in an immigrant household, the early lessons in hustle and resilience, and the winding path from managing artists to leading a tech company backed by venture capital.We get into the emotional weight of representation, the role of taste and conviction in startup success, and

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00:15:58

Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on Why the Global...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/16

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mag Rodriguez and I explore the future of music monetization and what it means to truly go global.From innovative artist subscription models, like “pay what you want”, to untapped opportunities in the Global South, Mag Rodriguez breaks down how platforms like EVEN are making it easier for artists to reach fans in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.We dive into real-world case studies, the payment infrastructure powering fan access, and how globalization is

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00:17:41

Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on How J. Cole...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/15

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez to unpack the exclusive J. Cole x EVEN collaboration celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Forest Hills Drive.We get into how this drop went far beyond music; with unreleased tracks, an original audio series, real-time fan engagement, and a global livestream straight from Madison Square Garden.Mag breaks down how the project came to life, what it taught him about navigating major label partnerships, and how trust and execution

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02:14:27

The Manager's Playbook 030: Mag Rodriguez - EVEN, J...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/14

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez, founder and CEO of EVEN, a platform redefining how artists connect with fans and monetize their work across the globe.We unpack how EVEN helps artists go direct-to-fan, unlock new revenue streams, and build real community beyond the limitations of streaming and traditional industry models.Inside the episode:→ Building for global, underserved fanbases→ Why direct-to-fan is the smarter play, not anti-DSP→ Lessons from tech

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00:18:00

Inside the Playbook: Laurie Lee Boutet on Why Women...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/12

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Laurie Lee Boutet unpacks what it really means to lead as a woman in the music business.From empathy and collaboration to navigating bias and building strong teams, Laurie shares how her values and vision have shaped a powerful approach to artist management. She also discusses the importance of choosing the right distribution partners, like AWAL, to stay flexible and in control.It’s a conversation about leadership, trust, and building careers that last.A

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00:19:43

Inside the Playbook: Laurie Lee Boutet on What Every...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/11

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Laurie Lee Boutet dives into why CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a game-changer in today’s music industry.We break down the shift from radio to streaming, the rise of TikTok and algorithmic discovery, and how smart data collection powers meaningful fan connections. Laurie shares how tools like CRM helped guide The Beaches through viral growth and sustainable fan engagement.It’s a must-listen for anyone serious about building careers, not just

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00:12:47

Inside the Playbook: Laurie Lee Boutet on How to Win...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/07/10

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Laurie Lee Boutet breaks down why today’s music managers need to think like marketers and strategists.From her work with The Beaches to using platforms like Laylo to gamify fan engagement and build powerful email lists, Laurie shares how data, innovation, and artist alignment create real growth.Whether you're managing artists or building a brand, this conversation is packed with practical tools and sharp insight.A conversation like this doesn't come

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182 results

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