Advertise on podcast: The Manager's Playbook

How did BOOM Records generate 1.5 billion streams in 2025 as an independent record label? In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Felipe Favela, founder of BOOM Records, to break down the strategies behind building one of the music industry's emerging independent labels. Felipe shares how BOOM uses data to discover artists, optimize marketing budgets, and compete with major labels. We get into Spotify marketing, TikTok virality, the realities of record advances, and why artists need to start treating their careers like businesses. The conversation also explores what's broken about traditional artist development, why viral hits don't always translate into sustainable careers, and how transparency, financial discipline, and smarter partnerships are reshaping the independent music business. A valuable conversation for artists, managers, and aspiring music executives looking to better understand what it takes to build a lasting career in today's music industry. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

In this conversation on The Manager's Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with the veteran music executive to discuss how he helped bring reggaeton into the mainstream during his 21 years at Universal Music. Gustavo takes us back to the early days of discovering underground Latin urban music through handwritten record store sales charts, long before streaming data existed. He shares how he convinced Universal to invest in the genre, launched Machete Music, and worked with artists like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, and Luny Tunes. We also get into the business behind building a successful record label, identifying talent before everyone else catches on, earning artists' trust, and why having the right executives in your corner can make all the difference. A great conversation for aspiring A&Rs, artist managers, and independent artists looking to understand how music movements are discovered, developed, and brought to the world. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

A big record label advance might look like a great deal, but what happens when the money has to be recouped? In this conversation on The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with veteran music executive Gustavo Lopez to break down the realities of record label advances, recoupment, and why artists often give up more rights than they realize when chasing a bigger cheque. Gustavo gets into how labels and distributors evaluate risk, the potential conflicts of interest with music lawyers and managers, and why the right partnership matters more than the money upfront. We also discuss the rise of independent artists, the dangers of chasing viral success, and how Gustavo's partnership with Fanta Rosario led to a Warner Latino distribution deal and a No. 6 global debut on Spotify. An important conversation for artists and managers looking to understand music contracts, protect their rights, and build careers that last. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Latin music is selling out stadiums and reaching audiences around the world. So why is corporate America still struggling to recognize its full potential? In this conversation on The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with veteran music executive Gustavo Lopez to discuss the growing influence of Latin music, the language barriers that still exist in the industry, and what it takes to turn regional success into global recognition. From Pitbull breaking into the mainstream to JOP building Fuerza Regida into a stadium-selling powerhouse, Gustavo explains why great music can cross borders without sacrificing its identity. We also get into artist development, work ethic, brand partnerships, and why the biggest opportunity for Latin artists may be getting the rest of the industry to understand just how successful they already are. A conversation worth hearing for artists, managers, and music executives looking to understand where the business is headed. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Fuerza Regida is selling out stadiums, Latin music is dominating global charts, and independent labels are building some of the biggest businesses in music. So why is the industry still playing catch-up? In Episode 90 of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Gustavo Lopez, the veteran music executive who helped bring reggaeton to the mainstream through Machete Music and worked with artists like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Wisin & Yandel. Now serving as president of Street Mob Records, Gustavo shares an inside look at JOP's vision for Fuerza Regida, the rise of música mexicana, and how independent artists are turning cultural influence into lasting businesses. We get into the realities of artist development, A&R, record label deals, advances and recoupment, building strong management teams, and why Latin music's commercial power is still underestimated by much of the industry. A conversation for artists, managers, and aspiring music executives looking to understand where the music business is headed. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Before influencer marketing became a billion-dollar industry, Edgar Cutino was already building a business around viral creators. In this clip from The Manager's Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Edgar Cutino, manager of Fridayy, to unpack how he went from discovering Lil Terio on Vine to building a creator network reaching over 100 million people. Edgar shares how he turned viral content into merchandise sales, negotiated brand deals before influencer marketing was an established business, and built a multicultural marketing agency from the ground up. We also get into his transition from talent management to television, including how cold-emailing production companies led to him executive producing a TruTV comedy series for three seasons. A conversation about recognizing opportunities early, monetizing social media influence, building businesses around talent, and understanding when it's time to evolve. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

How did Fridayy go from sending Instagram DMs to landing on DJ Khaled's "GOD DID" alongside Jay-Z? In this clip from The Manager's Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Fridayy's manager, Edgar Cutino, to unpack the story behind one of music's biggest breakout moments. Edgar shares how he discovered Fridayy on Instagram, secured an early publishing deal, and helped turn his vocal samples into a movement with Timbaland before landing the career-changing feature on "GOD DID." We get into the negotiations behind Fridayy's feature credit, his eventual signing to Def Jam, Grammy nominations, and the realities of navigating success when everything happens at once. A conversation about artist development, music publishing, leverage, and the persistence it takes to turn raw talent into a lasting career. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Are record labels holding artists back from success? In this clip from The Manager's Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Fridayy's manager, Edgar Cutino, for an unfiltered conversation about music industry politics, artist management, and the challenges of working with major record labels. Edgar breaks down why independent artists should trust their instincts, how managers can hold labels accountable, and why being labeled "difficult to work with" often comes from asking the right questions. We get into artist development, label politics, building the right team, creative freedom, and why traditional industry playbooks don't always work in today's music business. A valuable conversation for independent artists, aspiring music managers, and executives looking to better understand how the music industry really works. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

In this episode of The Manager's Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Edgar Cutino, manager of Fridayy, for an unfiltered conversation about music industry politics, artist management, and what it really takes to break an artist. From managing viral sensation Lil TerRio and building a career in television to discovering Fridayy and helping secure his breakout feature on DJ Khaled's "GOD DID", Edgar shares the lessons, relationships, and strategies that shaped his journey in the music business. We dive into record label politics, artist development, negotiating deals, building successful teams, and why managers who demand accountability are often labeled difficult to work with. Edgar also breaks down the importance of leverage, protecting your artist, and navigating the challenges of major labels. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

What makes country music one of the strongest genres for developing artists and building long-term careers? In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management and manager of Dasha, to explore what the country music industry gets right about artist development. Alex breaks down Nashville’s songwriting community, the importance of live performances, touring opportunities, CMA Fest, and how country radio continues to influence artist growth and ticket sales. We also get into the relationships that make the country music ecosystem unique, the role of media in breaking new artists, and why managing burnout and mental health is just as important as building momentum. A valuable conversation for independent artists, music managers, and aspiring executives looking to understand what it takes to build a sustainable music career. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

How do you know which content will actually help break a song before spending money on it? In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management and manager of Dasha, to break down the music marketing strategies behind building momentum in today's industry. Alex shares how artists and managers can use Instagram Trial Reels, TikTok, content testing, and paid ads to identify what works before investing in a release campaign. He explains why testing different creative ideas matters and how to put marketing dollars behind content that's already performing. We also get into the pressure of managing a viral hit, navigating major label decisions, and making the most of an opportunity when everything starts moving quickly. A valuable conversation for independent artists, music managers, and aspiring executives looking to build smarter release strategies. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

What does it really take to break a hit song in today's music industry? In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management and manager of Dasha, to discuss how streaming momentum attracts major labels and what it takes to turn an independent breakout into a global hit. Alex shares the story behind Dasha’s “Austin,” the decision to partner with Warner Records, and why a great song and smart management still matter more than a massive marketing budget. We also get into country music gatekeeping, radio politics, TikTok marketing, major label deals, and the pressure of building an artist’s career when everything starts moving at once. A valuable conversation for independent artists, music managers, and aspiring executives trying to understand how records actually break. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management, to break down what really happens after a song explodes. Alex shares the story behind managing Dasha through the breakout of “Austin,” from viral TikTok momentum and line-dance culture to major label interest, global strategy, and the pressure of turning a hit song into a sustainable career. We get into artist management, independent artist leverage, major label deals, country music’s global moment, music marketing, social content testing, radio, burnout, and the real decisions managers have to make when success starts moving faster than the team around it. A must-listen for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand the music business behind a viral hit. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

When should an artist start touring? And when is the biggest check actually the wrong move? UTA partner and music agent JBeau Lewis, who works with Bad Bunny and Karol G, joins Mauricio Ruiz on The Manager’s Playbook to break down what goes into building a successful touring career. From planning your first shows and turning listeners into paying fans to choosing the right venues, promoters, and ticket prices, JBeau shares why touring strategy needs to start earlier than most artists think. They also get into the decisions nobody sees: when to turn down a major offer, why great agents prioritize long-term careers over quick money, and how trust, teamwork, and keeping your ego in check make all the difference. A conversation about artist development, touring, music management, and building a career that lasts, for independent artists, managers, booking agents, and the next generation of music executives. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

What makes a top agent want to bet on an artist? UTA partner and music agent JBeau Lewis breaks down what he looks for before signing an artist, how TikTok and YouTube have changed discovery, and why talent is only one part of the equation. JBeau also shares how UTA began working with Bad Bunny, why the team saw the global potential of Latin music early, and what it takes to build a full-service team around an artist at that level. From artist development and management to knowing when to say no, this is a look at how great agents think and what artists, managers, and aspiring music executives should understand about building careers that last. 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 Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET