The Manager's Playbook

Director X is the embodiment of innovation, authenticity, and masterful storytelling. With a legacy built alongside some of the biggest names in music—think Drake, Rihanna, and Usher—Director X has reshaped the visual language of the music video industry. But his path to success wasn’t a straight shot to stardom. In this can’t-miss episode of The Manager's Playbook, hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, Direct...

Byron Wilson’s journey from a small-town dreamer to managing global superstars like Jessie Reyez and SonReal is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook , Byron opens up about the grind behind the glitz—sharing the challenges, hustle, and key relationships that helped him build a creative empire from the ground up. From booking DIY shows to navigating record labels, By...

Cory Litwin is the MASTER of Getting into a Room! You cannot question his ability to help build and cultivate global superstars like Murda Beatz and Busta Rhymes. And that’s what you need and want from your manager. Especially in the beginning. In the world of artist management, connecting the dots and building relationships is key, and few do it as naturally as Cory Litwin. Known for his mastery...

In this episode of The Manager's Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz interviews the legendary Kardinal Offishall about his extensive career spanning 30 years as an artist and music executive. The discussion explores Kardinal's transition from artist to A&R executive, emphasizing the importance of human connections, authenticity, and global perspectives in the music industry. Kardinal shares b...

In this episode of The Manager's Playbook, we sit down with Gordan Dillard, the powerhouse manager behind superstar artists like Doja Cat. Gordan shares his incredible journey through the ups and downs of the music industry and the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way.  From interning at Motown to working at BET, Maverick Urban, and Capitol Music Group, to co-founding Good Day Managem...

In this episode of  The Manager’s Playbook , host Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Shara Senderoff, a visionary at the crossroads of entertainment, technology, and innovation. From selling a script to Steven Spielberg at just 20 years old to co-founding a fund Raised In Space with Zach Katz and Scooter Braun, Shara's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Join us as Shara shares her transition...

In this episode of  The Manager’s Playbook , Mauricio Ruiz dives into the transformative world of country music with The Core Entertainment. Discover why the genre is surging in popularity, the unique challenges faced by artists when mainstream acts crossover, and learn about the evolution of artist development, they’re pivotal deal with kingmaker Michael Rapino- CEO/President of Live Nation, how...

In this episode of  The Managers Playbook , Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Chip Sutherland, a seasoned entertainment lawyer and artist manager who was recently honored with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award. Chip’s behind-the-scenes work has significantly impacted the careers of artists such as Sloan, Feist, The Rankin Family, and many more. Chip offers valuable insights into the music busi...

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Che Kothari, a multifaceted visionary whose work spans photography, artist management, festival production, and much more. Che’s career is a testament to the power of creativity, community, and spirituality. Join us as we explore Che's incredible path, from discovering his passion for photography at a young age to fou...

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz sits down with acclaimed record producers and songwriters Matthew Burnett and Jordan Evans. Known for their exceptional work in the music industry, Matthew and Jordan have seamlessly transitioned into the realm of artist management, co-founding Golden Child Recordings and guiding Daniel Caesar to international stardom as an independent...

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Lex Borrero, a prominent figure in the Latin American music and entertainment industry, for this  episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast.  Lex has worked with some of the biggest names in pop music including Tainy, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, J Balvin, Will Smith, Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, The Montaners Family, Kali Ucis and several other prominent figures.  In this epis...

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Tyler Henry, one of the youngest superstar Artist Managers in the game, for the next episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast. In this episode, Ruiz and Tyler talk about his humble upbringing leading to his career in the music industry. From being a sound engineer, tour manager, artist manager, managing partner at Range Music while working with the biggest names in mu...

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with American music manager, entrepreneur, and investor, Troy Carter for the inaugural episode of The Manager's Playbook Podcast. In this episode, Mauricio and Troy discuss the role of a great artist manager, how to identify a great artist, TikTok vs UMG and where AI is going in the next 5 years, how to get from small venues to stadiums, super fandom and data collection...