The Manager's Playbook

The rules of digital marketing in music have changed, and Austin Dunn has lived every version of them. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook , Austin breaks down how music marketing has evolved from the height of COVID to where it’s heading by 2026. From the rise and fall of influencer campaigns to the dominance of TikTok and user-generated content , this is a real look at how attention actual...

Before algorithms ran the music business, Austin Dunn was already building his own. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook , Austin breaks down the SoundCloud era, from bot networks and repost hacks to turning underground records into viral movements. He shares how those same tactics helped launch artists like 6ix9ine and Trippie Redd , and how a kid studying accounting turned his early experim...

Most artists are chasing the algorithm. Austin Dunn built systems that outsmart it. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast , I sit down with Austin Dunn , digital strategist, cultural curator, and founder of @rnbmusic , one of the most influential community pages in music. Before most labels understood content seeding, Austin was already engineering digital ecosystems, helping artists l...

What if the key to building a real music career wasn’t luck, playlists, or connections, but how you show up online ? In this clip, Nic D breaks down how he turned content into a career. No label. No team. No shortcuts. Just strategy, discipline, and storytelling. From recording songs in a minivan during the pandemic to going viral on TikTok, Nic shares how creativity, consistency, and what he call...

What if walking away from touring wasn’t a step back, but the smartest move an artist could make? In this conversation, Nic D opens up about why he turned down major touring opportunities to focus on family, balance, and ownership. Despite the potential for fame and fast money, he chose freedom over burnout, and built one of the most successful independent artist careers in the process. We dive in...

What does financial independence really look like for an artist with no label, no manager, and no team? In this clip, Nic D breaks down the real numbers behind being an independent artist, from how much he spends on production to how he tracks every dollar to stay profitable. He shares why keeping costs low, owning your masters, and thinking like a business are the keys to longevity in music. We d...

What if success in music had less to do with talent, and everything to do with mindset? In this conversation, Nic D breaks down the discipline, self-awareness, and consistency that helped him build a thriving career with no label, no manager, and no shortcuts. He shares what artists get wrong about deals and streaming, how to stay consistent when motivation fades, and why you can’t build momentum...

What if you built a billion-stream music career, without a label, manager, or industry connections? That’s exactly what Nic D did. From Culpeper, Virginia , he turned $250-per-song releases and short-form content into a thriving independent business, all while staying self-managed and completely in control. In this episode, Nic breaks down his entire system, from how he budgets every release to ho...

Nick Jarjour shares the inside story behind Hipgnosis Songs Fund, the company that redefined how the world values music. From his work alongside Merck Mercuriadis to building one of the most innovative catalog funds in history, Nick reveals how Hipgnosis raised the music multiple, shifted the economics of creativity, and gave songwriters the recognition they’ve long deserved. He also reflects on t...

Nick Jarjour shares the story of Starrah, one of the most transformative songwriters in modern music. From crafting Rihanna’s “Needed Me” to shaping global hits for Camila Cabello and Maroon 5, Starrah’s journey is a masterclass in authenticity, creativity, and vision. In this conversation, Nick explores how she redefined the relationship between artist and songwriter, why context is king , and ho...

Nick Jarjour takes us inside the real world of music management. In this conversation, Nick breaks down what it truly means to manage artists and songwriters at the highest level: protecting their vision, aligning with their values, and helping them navigate the demands of the modern industry. He shares insights on why the best songwriters think like artists, how to build sustainable careers roote...

Nick Jarjour opens up about the making of In Whose Name, a powerful and deeply human documentary on Ye that explores the intersection of mental health, creativity, and control. In this conversation, Nick reflects on the challenges of protecting artistic truth while navigating the emotional and ethical weight of telling someone else’s story. It’s a rare look into what it means to balance creative f...

Nick Jarjour has built his career around one mission: protecting the storytellers. From managing Starrah, the songwriter behind Rihanna’s “Needed Me,” to executive producing In Whose Name , one of the highest-grossing documentaries in recent years, Nick has always stood at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and responsibility. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook , Nick opens up abou...

What does it really take to build lasting partnerships between artists, brands, and technology? In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok, reflects on her career journey from PR to tech, sharing lessons from campaigns with J. Cole, and Beyoncé’s Super Bowl performance. She also breaks down how to balance brand expectations with artist n...

AI is reshaping how music is created and consumed, raising new opportunities and new risks. In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok, joins us to discuss how AI can amplify creativity while forcing the industry to confront difficult questions about monetization, ethics, and the role of human artistry. We dive into the harsh realities o...

AI is changing how music is created, discovered, and experienced. In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok, breaks down how her team is building the future of personalized music. From their patented Style Filter technology to subscription models, marketplaces, and API integrations, we explore the new tools shaping the industry. We also...

Generative AI is shaking up the music industry, creating new opportunities and new risks. In this clip, Isabel Quinteros (SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok) breaks down the ethical, legal, and cultural questions surrounding AI in music. From text-to-music prompts to copyright concerns, fair use, and artist compensation, Isabel shares how her team is building a...

In this episode, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Isabel Quinteros, former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok and now SVP at Jen Music AI . From her start in PR to shaping TikTok’s rise and now leading conversations on AI, Isabel shares her journey and perspective on the future of music. They dive into the ethical challenges of AI, artist compensation, the role of blockchain in royalties, and ho...

After stepping away from music in 2015, Shawn Desman found himself questioning if he would ever return. In this conversation, he shares the pivotal moment with Drake that reignited his passion, the role his wife played in guiding crucial career decisions, and the challenges of navigating management changes. Alongside Steve Zsirai and Chad Walsh, Shawn also reveals the strategic and data-driven app...

Shawn Desman’s career looked finished, until it wasn’t. In this conversation, Shawn, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh break down how a mix of social media strategy, data-driven decision-making, and the “Drake effect” helped spark one of the most inspiring comebacks in Canadian music. From TikTok virality to reconnecting with nostalgic fans, from analyzing where the audience actually lives to building...

What does it really take to build authentic relationships in music? In this conversation, Shawn Desman, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh share why keeping a small, trusted circle is essential, how empathy and honesty drive lasting partnerships, and why boundaries matter in an industry that often blurs the personal with the professional. Shawn also reflects on how personal struggles, including overcomi...

What makes a great artist, and a great manager? In this conversation, Shawn Desman, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh break down the traits that separate the good from the unforgettable. From delivering “the good stuff” right away to the power of live performance and the rare quality of time feel , they share what truly moves audiences. The discussion also touches on lessons from Beyoncé, Coldplay, Dra...

Shawn Desman’s story is one of highs, lows, and a powerful comeback. From topping the charts to stepping away from music, Shawn opens up about the pressure of fame, battling depression, and finding sobriety. With Drake’s encouragement at an OVO event, he rediscovered his love for music and returned on his own terms. Alongside managers Steve Zsirai and Chad Walsh, the conversation dives into the st...

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook , Mauricio Ruiz speaks with Milana Lewis (CEO of Stem) about her journey from having no background in music to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the industry. Milana explains how building around clear vision and values , and using frameworks like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), helped her align her company. She shares why the right team matters mor...

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook , Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Milana Lewis (CEO of Stem) to unpack the realities of artist development and partnerships in today’s music business. Milana shares how artists can get noticed without relying solely on social media, why consistent storytelling is key, and the tough decisions behind who gets signed and when. She also dives into the challenges o...