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, and expert advice to help you navigate the complexities of the music business.

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August 28 · 16 min
Inside the Playbook: Symba on How To Protect Your Career In The Music Business
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Symba breaks down why he built his own direct-to-fan app after feeling stuck inside the algorithm and major label system. He talks about creating a space where his real supporters can find the music, content, unreleased records, and community without waiting on platforms or labels to decide what gets seen. Symba also shares how the app became a new way to take ownership, build recurring revenue, and connect directly with fans on his own terms. A sharp music business conversation for artists, managers, and aspiring executives thinking about direct-to-fan strategy, artist ownership, fan monetization, and what it really means to build outside the system. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bfrDmiSjjkWgdH24954jQ?si=QusPqMgoRNOqnjOuvt9k3A⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 27 · 25 min
Inside the Playbook: Symba on How to Rebuild After a Failed Music Rollout
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Symba breaks down what happens when a label rollout misses, momentum resets, and the records don’t match what fans first connected with. He reflects on releasing Don’t Run From Rap during COVID, dealing with constant product manager turnover, and learning how major label priorities can shift when revenue becomes the focus. Symba also shares how the Don’t Condone series helped him rebuild momentum independently, and how working with Dr. Dre taught him the difference between rapping well and really performing a record. A sharp music business conversation for artists, managers, A&Rs, and anyone trying to understand label rollouts, artist development, performance records, and what it takes to build a career that actually connects. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bfrDmiSjjkWgdH24954jQ?si=QusPqMgoRNOqnjOuvt9k3A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
#80
August 23 · 1 hr 46 min
The Manager’s Playbook 080: Symba - Major Label Deals, Artist Development, Artist Leverage, Dr. Dre & Direct-to-Fan
In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Symba joins Mauricio Ruiz for an honest conversation about major label deals, artist development, management, leverage, and the hard lessons that come from learning the music business in real time. Symba breaks down what he experienced signing with Columbia and Atlantic, how early deals and label turnover shaped his career, and why having the right team around an artist can make or break momentum. He also reflects on Kendrick Lamar’s influence, working with Dr. Dre, going viral after his LA Leakers freestyle, touring with Joyner Lucas, and the importance of keeping the song as the main thing. This episode is a sharp, grounded look at what artists, managers, and aspiring music executives need to understand before signing deals, chasing advances, or trusting the wrong system. Symba also shares how he’s rebuilding independently through his own direct-to-fan app, exclusive music, brand deals, and a deeper connection with his audience. A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://magicmind.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET
August 22 · 15 min
Inside the Playbook: Tom Windish on The Real Cost of Touring
Tom Windish joins The Manager’s Playbook to break down why big streaming numbers do not always translate into real ticket sales, and what it actually takes to build a long-term live career. In this clip, Tom explains why artists should not be discouraged by playing smaller rooms, why superstar artists still need independent agents, and how great booking agents help create opportunities across promoters, festivals, cities, and markets. We also get into the real cost of touring, how artists can tour smarter on a budget, why fan-shot content can be useful, and how patience, curiosity, and relationships helped Tom discover artists early, including The xx. For artists, managers, agents, and aspiring music executives, this is a practical look at touring strategy, ticket sales, artist development, and the live music business. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iOGoCNraEzW4SV2QbtZAU?si=w8RtcXRkSDWxRj8iXiOIdg⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 21 · 17 min
Inside the Playbook: Tom Windish on How to Build a Music Agency
Tom Windish joins The Manager’s Playbook to talk about the business behind booking, building an agency, and what it actually takes to grow artists in the live music world. In this clip, Tom shares how he went from promoting college concerts to becoming a booking agent, building The Windish Agency, scaling the company, and eventually selling to Paradigm. He also gets into the early days of electronic music booking, promoter-agent relationships, artist services, and the hard reality of management. For artists, managers, agents, and aspiring music executives, this is a real look at how live music careers and music agencies get built from the ground up. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iOGoCNraEzW4SV2QbtZAU?si=w8RtcXRkSDWxRj8iXiOIdg⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 20 · 11 min
Inside the Playbook: Tom Windish on How to Build a Touring Business That Actually Scales
Tom Windish joins The Manager’s Playbook to break down why artists need to take more ownership of ticket sales in today’s touring business. In this clip, Tom explains why artists are often the best advertisers for their own shows, why promoters need real fan data, and how SMS lists, email, city-level audience insights, and presale strategy can help artists understand actual ticket demand. We also get into when it makes sense to skip steps in touring, how to choose the right room size, and why the music business still needs better direct-to-fan systems. For artists, managers, booking agents, promoters, and aspiring music executives, this is a practical look at how touring strategy, fan data, and ticket sales actually work. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iOGoCNraEzW4SV2QbtZAU?si=w8RtcXRkSDWxRj8iXiOIdg⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 19 · 24 min
Inside the Playbook: Tom Windish on How Live Music Is Changing
Tom Windish joins The Manager’s Playbook to break down what booking agents actually do and why live music still matters in a world where attention is harder to earn than ever. In this clip, Tom explains how agents help artists build touring careers, why getting fans to leave the house is more difficult now, and how managers and artists should think about live shows, content, openers, festivals, brand deals, and long-term artist development. We also get into the difference between online attention and real fan connection, why patience matters early, and what it actually takes to build a career beyond streams. For artists, managers, agents, and aspiring music executives, this is a real look at the live music business from one of the best to ever do it. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iOGoCNraEzW4SV2QbtZAU?si=w8RtcXRkSDWxRj8iXiOIdg Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
#79
August 16 · 1 hr 35 min
The Manager’s Playbook 079: Tom Windish - Booking Agents, Touring, Ticket Sales, Artist Development & Live Music
In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, legendary booking agent Tom Windish breaks down what booking agents actually do and why your favourite artists can have streams, press, and viral moments but still struggle to sell tickets. Tom explains how agents help build an artist’s live career, from choosing the right rooms and negotiating fees to working with promoters, planning tours, developing festival opportunities, and turning online attention into real-world demand. We also get into why artist development takes longer now, why managers and artists need more patience, how direct-to-fan data like emails, phone numbers, and ZIP codes can change a touring strategy, and why the artist is often the most important marketer for their own shows. For independent artists, managers, agents, and aspiring music executives, this episode is a real look at the touring business and what it actually takes to build a live career that lasts. A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠ Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://magicmind.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET
August 15 · 20 min
Inside the Playbook: Clinton Sparks on The Formula For A Career That Actually Lasts
Clinton Sparks breaks down how to build a music career people actually remember. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Clinton shares his formula for winning in the music business, from powerful production and bulletproof business to aggressive visibility, real branding, and monetization. He also explains how “Get Familiar” became bigger than a tag, why independent artists have to think like their own label, and why copying trends usually leads to short-lived careers. A sharp lesson for artists, managers, producers, and music executives on branding, marketing, independence, authenticity, and building something that lasts. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/60xO3CvAdGfeyyFikLsISg?si=yH1urO5uQquBCrTcW0YoJw⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 14 · 18 min
Inside the Playbook: Clinton Sparks on Networking In the Music Industry
Clinton Sparks breaks down why networking is the piece most people misunderstand. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Clinton shares how he built a reputation by adding value first, protecting his name, and staying authentic instead of chasing fake momentum. From working at UPS and producing music at night to breaking into radio, landing syndication, and building relationships across the East Coast, this is a real music business lesson on patience, reputation, visibility, and becoming useful before asking for access. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/60xO3CvAdGfeyyFikLsISg?si=yH1urO5uQquBCrTcW0YoJw⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 13 · 19 min
Inside the Playbook: Clinton Sparks on Mixtape Culture
Clinton Sparks breaks down what it really means to do it for the culture. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Clinton reflects on supporting Clipse’s We Got It For Cheap mixtape series without profiting, spending his own money to press and distribute CDs, and why protecting trust mattered more than chasing a quick win. He also talks about refusing payola, building Mixunit.com, helping DJ Drama and DJ Khaled, and the late-night DJ Kay Slay story that turned into a street classic. A real music business lesson on integrity, mixtape culture, radio, networking, and staying focused on the mission. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/60xO3CvAdGfeyyFikLsISg?si=yH1urO5uQquBCrTcW0YoJw Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 12 · 12 min
Inside the Playbook: Clinton Sparks on DJ Snake’s Rise
Clinton Sparks breaks down the real story behind DJ Snake and Lil Jon’s “Turn Down for What.” In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Clinton shares how he signed DJ Snake in 2007, introduced him to Lil Jon, and watched the record grow from an early idea into a global hit. He also talks about Lil Jon’s guerrilla approach, the behind-the-scenes tension around the song, and why DJ relationships still matter when breaking records. Clinton also reflects on DJ Snake’s drive, his “Bird Machine” breakthrough with Dillon Francis, and the early moments that helped shape his rise from Paris to worldwide success. A sharp look at music business strategy, artist development, networking, and what it really takes to make a record move through culture. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
#78
August 8 · 1 hr 38 min
The Manager’s Playbook 078: Clinton Sparks - Artist Branding, Get Familiar, Music Marketing & Networking
In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with legendary producer, DJ, songwriter, and entrepreneur Clinton Sparks for a conversation on artist branding, music business relationships, and building a career that lasts. Clinton breaks down what it really means to become a brand, how he built “Get Familiar” into something people remembered, and why the best networking starts with adding value before asking for access. He also shares the story behind working with DJ Snake years before “Turn Down for What,” his role in mixtape culture, the importance of reputation, and why authenticity still matters in an industry full of fake momentum. A must-listen for artists, managers, producers, music executives, and independent creatives trying to build leverage, trust, visibility, and a brand people actually believe in. A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠ Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 ⁠⁠⁠https://magicmind.com/⁠⁠⁠ Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET
August 8 · 19 min
Inside the Playbook: Nick Groff on The CEO Mindset Every Artist Manager Needs
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nick Groff breaks down why great artist managers need to think like CEOs, not just operators. Nick and Mauricio Ruiz discuss the modern manager’s role in building artist businesses, aligning teams, protecting long-term vision, and creating real growth around the artist. They also get into equity, IP, joint ventures, manager commissions, hiring for emotional intelligence, building scalable teams, and why instinct is often just experience with better timing. A sharp listen for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand what artist management really looks like today. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 7 · 12 min
Inside the Playbook: Nick Groff on The AI Music Debate Nobody Wants to Have
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nick Groff and Mauricio Ruiz get into the gray area of AI, creativity, and who gets to make music. They discuss whether AI can become a real creative tool for people with ideas but without formal training, while also unpacking the concerns around authorship, devalued music, bad actors, and what “human-made” music even means anymore. From Suno and AI music tools to Timbaland, record labels, the Grammys, Napster, and the future of the music business, this is a sharp conversation about where creativity may be heading next. A must-listen for artists, producers, managers, music executives, and anyone trying to understand AI’s impact on music. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 6 · 20 min
Inside the Playbook: Nick Groff on The Real Math Behind Live Music Ticketing
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nick Groff breaks down how BUNT. turned a viral moment into a real hard-ticket fanbase. Nick and Ruiz get into the business behind live growth: merch strategy, per-head sales, market-by-market pricing, fan accessibility, Coachella storytelling, and why viral attention does not mean much if it does not turn into real fans. They also discuss how BUNT. approached merch like a brand, priced Mexico City with the local fan in mind, treated Argentina differently as a market, and used intentional live moments to create momentum beyond the algorithm. A sharp listen for artists, managers, music marketers, and aspiring music executives trying to understand touring, fanbase building, and modern artist development. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
August 5 · 17 min
Inside the Playbook: Nick Groff on The Artist as a Media Company
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nick Groff breaks down why modern artist management now looks more like running a media company. Nick and Ruiz get into storytelling, fan acquisition, content flywheels, post-show highlights, and why artists can’t rely on music releases alone to stay connected with their audience. They also discuss what artists can learn from streamers, how Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” proves the power of context, and how BUNT built its world around clear brand pillars like smile, sweat, squad, and soccer. A sharp listen for artists, managers, music marketers, and aspiring music executives trying to understand how attention works in today’s music business. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
#77
August 2 · 1 hr 59 min
The Manager’s Playbook 077: Nick Groff - BUNT., Artist Management, World-Building, Fan Acquisition & Music Business
Nick Groff returns to The Manager's Playbook, former Interscope and Geffen executive, longtime A&R, entrepreneur, and manager of BUNT. Nick breaks down the modern artist playbook: how managers can build artists like media companies, why storytelling and world-building matter, and how BUNT. went from being dropped to building a global fanbase, selling hundreds of thousands of tickets, and creating real momentum around live shows, merch, content, and community. We get into artist management, fan acquisition, touring strategy, merch, market-by-market pricing, Coachella, AI, the creator economy, and why the modern manager has to think more like a CEO than ever before. A must-listen for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand how the music business really works today. A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠ Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 ⁠⁠https://magicmind.com/⁠⁠ If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it. KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: ⁠⁠⁠https://form.typeform.com/to/JNELnGw9?utm_source=xxxxx&typeform-source=bit.ly#fbclid=xxxxx&gclid=xxxxx⁠⁠⁠ Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET
August 1 · 10 min
Inside the Playbook: Charlie Rocket on The Fan-First Blueprint
Charlie Rocket breaks down why artists and managers need to stop waiting on labels, managers, or industry validation and start building fans first. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Charlie talks about fan demand, leverage, moving faster, releasing more, and avoiding the trap of getting overwhelmed by industry knowledge before there’s an actual business to protect. He also gets into why travel can help artists spark creativity, change perspective, and find new ideas before a breakthrough. For independent artists, managers, and aspiring music executives, this is a reminder: build the fans first, then let the industry catch up. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
July 31 · 15 min
Inside the Playbook: Charlie Rocket on Building an Artist Fanbase With Zero Budget
Charlie Rocket breaks down a real artist growth playbook built on volume, virality, and in-real-life fanbase building. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Charlie explains how he helped build Travis Porter’s momentum with no big budget, using fast music output, MySpace hustle, local marketing, and real-world events to create demand from the ground up. He gets into the nine-month blitz strategy, why artists need to move faster, how to build local buzz before chasing the whole internet, and why real fanbases are still built person by person. For independent artists, managers, and aspiring music executives, this is a reminder: the internet matters, but the streets still talk. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: https://themanagersplaybook.com/home Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠ Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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