The Manager's Playbook

The Manager's Playbook
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 11 HR AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Mauricio Ruiz on Why He Started The Manager’s Playbook

    How The Manager’s Playbook Became Music’s Insider Podcast In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz shares why he created the podcast and how it became a way to give music industry knowledge back to the community. Mauricio talks about stepping away from artist management, wanting to build his own IP, and turning private “inside baseball” conversations into a public platform for artists, managers, executives, and creatives. He also shares how the podcast started with Troy Carter as the first guest, why Toronto is at the heart of the mission, and how Erica and Mel helped build the show through trial and error. This one is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand how the music business really works. 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/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook Topics include:The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz, Troy Carter, artist management, music business, Toronto music scene, building IP, podcasting, music executives, independent artists, publishing, content strategy, and giving back to the community.

    14 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Mauricio Ruiz on The Artist Manager Skills Nobody Talks About

    When Is an Artist Ready for a Manager? In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz breaks down what artists and managers should understand before working together. Mauricio talks about why management is rooted in value, trust, communication, and the ability to sell a vision. He explains how a sales background can help managers build thick skin, ask better questions, read the room, build rapport, and turn conversations into real next steps. The conversation also covers creative ways artists can build teams when cash is limited, including offering points on masters, as well as basic music publishing concepts like songwriter share, publisher share, mechanicals, performance rights, and sync. This one is for artists, managers, and aspiring music executives trying to understand how to build real relationships in the 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/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook Topics include:Artist management, music business, sales skills, networking, building relationships, master points, independent artists, music publishing, songwriter share, publisher share, sync, performance royalties, and The Manager’s Playbook.

    9 min

  3. 2 DAYS AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Mauricio Ruiz on How Jessie Reyez’s First Song Sparked a Label Bidding War

    In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz breaks down the early days of managing Jessie Reyez and the strategy behind her breakout single, “Figures.” Mauricio shares what made Jessie undeniable from the beginning: her work ethic, voice, authenticity, and the team that helped build the foundation around her. He talks about the role of The Remix Project, Junia-T, Byron Wilson, Dana Meyerson, Spotify relationships, and how “Figures” gained momentum through FADER, Zane Lowe, and New Music Friday. The conversation also gets into the major label bidding war that followed, why the team chose Island Records, and how doing a publishing deal before the label deal helped create leverage. This one is for artists, managers, and young music executives trying to understand artist development, rollout strategy, publishing, record deals, and how to build momentum before signing. 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/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook Topics include:Jessie Reyez, Mauricio Ruiz, artist management, “Figures,” Spotify New Music Friday, FADER, Zane Lowe, Island Records, publishing deals, major labels, artist development, Toronto music culture, and The Manager’s Playbook.

    28 min

  4. 3 DAYS AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Mauricio Ruiz on How He Built Canada’s Biggest Music Video Company

    In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz breaks down how he helped build Mad Ruk Entertainment into one of Canada’s biggest music video production companies. Mauricio reflects on the shift from million-dollar music video budgets to the digital era, where taste, storytelling, and execution started mattering more than access to massive budgets. He shares how YouTube, behind-the-scenes content, and online platforms changed the way artists could market themselves visually. He also talks about producing videos for artists like Avicii, Nicky Romero, SonReal, Future, and The Weeknd, including the viral Reddit moment behind SonReal’s “Everywhere We Go” and his experience executive producing Future’s “Low Life” featuring The Weeknd. This conversation is for artists, managers, directors, producers, and creatives trying to understand music videos, content strategy, artist marketing, budgeting, and the people side of production. 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/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook Topics include:Mad Ruk Entertainment, music videos, artist marketing, content strategy, YouTube, Reddit virality, The Weeknd, Future, Avicii, Nicky Romero, independent artists, music video budgets, and building creative teams.

    18 min

  5. 6 DAYS AGO

    The Manager’s Playbook 067: Mauricio Ruiz - Jessie Reyez, Mad Ruk, Artist Management, Music Business & Building The Playbook

    How did Mauricio Ruiz go from managing artists to building one of the music industry’s most trusted insider podcasts? In this live, in-person episode of The Manager’s Playbook, the script gets flipped. Mauricio Ruiz sits on the other side of the interview to talk through his journey from film, door-to-door sales, and co-founding Mad Ruk Entertainment to managing Jessie Reyez and eventually building The Manager’s Playbook, moderated by Donavan Brown. Mauricio breaks down the early lessons that shaped him: how music videos became artist marketing, why relationships matter more than people think, what it took to help build Jessie Reyez’s early momentum, and how “Figures” led to major label attention before the team chose Island Records. He also gets into publishing, ownership, sales skills, team building, independent artist strategy, and why stepping away from management allowed him to build his own IP. This episode is for artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, creatives, and anyone trying to understand how the music business really works. 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/ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

    1hr 31min

  6. 16 MAY ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Bryan Johnson on How Spotify Editors Find Music

    How do artists get discovered on Spotify today? In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Bryan Johnson from Spotify talk about the future of music discovery, editorial playlists, algorithmic recommendations, and what artists should understand about Spotify for Artists. Bryan explains why both editorial and algorithmic playlists still matter, how active listening signals like searches, saves, and direct adds influence discovery, and what actually happens when artists submit music through Spotify’s playlist pitch tool. They also discuss sustainable artist careers, the role of human editors, and why real fan behavior still matters in an increasingly algorithmic music economy. For artists, managers, and music executives, this is a clear look at how discovery works now and how artists can better position their music to be heard. 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/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook Topics Covered:00:00 Humans Behind Music Tech00:07 Future of the Music Economy00:47 Sustainable Artist Careers01:07 Editorial vs Algorithmic Playlists03:14 Active Listening Explained04:57 Why Editorial Still Matters05:17 Inside Spotify’s Pitch Tool06:58 How Spotify Editors Listen07:58 The 100,000 Tracks a Day Problem

    9 min

  7. 15 MAY ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Bryan Johnson on How Streaming Changed Artist Power

    Getting dropped by a record label used to feel like the end. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Bryan Johnson from Spotify talk about how streaming changed the path for artists after a label deal ends. Bryan shares his own experience as a musician, from self-releasing music and touring in bands to getting dropped by a label and later moving into the industry through PRS and Spotify. They also discuss Spotify’s responsibility to artists, the shift from ownership to access, the old stigma of being “damaged goods,” and how tools like Spotify for Artists, playlist pitching, audience data, and distribution have given artists more ways to keep building. For artists, managers, and music executives, this is a conversation about artist leverage, modern record deals, and why having a real audience can matter more than having a label. 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/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook Topics Covered:00:00 Spotify’s Responsibility to Artists01:44 Misconceptions About Spotify Success02:26 From Shelf Space to Streaming04:28 Bryan Johnson’s Early DIY Music Hustle06:26 Bands, Deals, and Breakthroughs08:47 From Drummer to Industry Advocate11:02 Getting Dropped and DIY Then13:54 Streaming After Labels16:16 Modern Record Deals and Artist Power18:04 Spotify as an Artist Voice Platform

    18 min

  8. 14 MAY ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Bryan Johnson on AI Music, Fraud & Royalties

    How is Spotify handling AI music, fake streams, and artist impersonation? In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Bryan Johnson from Spotify discuss how AI is changing the music business and what it means for artists, songwriters, rights holders, and listeners. Bryan breaks down Spotify’s approach to AI music, including spam filters, impersonation policies, AI credits, artificial streaming, and the removal of around 75 million spammy tracks over the past year. They also discuss prompt-generated AI songs, low listener engagement, artist opt-in, AI derivatives, UGC remixes, copyright protection, and why fair compensation for songwriters and publishers will be a major part of the conversation going forward. For artists, managers, songwriters, producers, and music executives, this is a clear look at where AI music is headed and why artist protection still has to come first. 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/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook Topics Covered:00:00 AI Music and Royalty Dilution00:59 Spotify’s AI Music Policies01:29 Spam Tracks and Fake Streams02:35 AI Artists vs Music Fraud04:48 Low Engagement on AI Songs05:46 Music Technology and Fear07:36 AI Derivatives and Artist Opt-In09:42 Artist Rights and Compensation10:18 Publishers, Songwriters, and UGC

    12 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Manager's Playbook
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    293
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Manager's Playbook
  • Show Website
    The Manager's Playbook

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