The Manager's Playbook

The Manager's Playbook
  • 4.8 (19)
  • 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. 20h ago ·  Bonus

    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

  2. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    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

  3. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    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

  4. 5d ago

    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

  5. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    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

  6. Jul 31 ·  Bonus

    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

  7. Jul 30 ·  Bonus

    Inside the Playbook: Charlie Rocket on The Marketing Strategy Behind Every Superstar Brand

    Charlie Rocket breaks down how artists can build a real superstar brand by giving fans something to belong to. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Charlie explains why fan names, colors, symbols, emojis, accessories, catchphrases, and ad-libs matter more than most artists think. These are the details that turn passive listeners into real participants. He also talks about why there are no secrets in marketing: study what already works, decode the pattern, and build a world fans can recognize instantly. For independent artists, managers, and aspiring music executives, this is a simple but important reminder: great branding is not just how an artist looks. It’s how fans know they’re part of something. 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

  8. Jul 29 ·  Bonus

    Inside the Playbook: Charlie Rocket on This Is Why Your Artist Strategy Isn't Working

    Charlie Rocket breaks down the problem with viral-first artist development and why chasing views can hurt an artist’s long-term career. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Charlie explains why artists should not be treated like influencers, how viral trends can damage mystique, and why real fanbase building matters more than empty attention. He also shares how artists, managers, and small teams can use social media, fan pages, and smart content strategy to grow without relying on a record label. For independent artists, artist managers, and aspiring music executives, this is a reminder: views are cool, but fans build careers. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Check out Influur Pulse and stop chasing the moment after it passes: ⁠https://www.influur.com/book-a-demo⁠ 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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4.8
out of 5
19 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
    342
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Manager's Playbook
  • Show Website
    The Manager's Playbook

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