Welcome to The Manager’s Playbook, my personal newsletter where I share insights from Music Executives and Artists for aspiring and emerging music managers, executives and artists on how to navigate the music industry. This newsletter is brought to you by Mauricio Ruiz.

Ruiz’s Note:

Yea, I said it.

We’re not just handling calendars and negotiations anymore. We’re building infrastructure, hiring creative teams, running digital strategy, securing brand deals, and crafting long-term visions. Sometimes, we’re even financing rollouts. Truthfully, we’re the engine behind the artist’s business and vision. We’re the “how”.

So instead of handing all that leverage to a label, go direct. Cut a smart distribution or JV deal with no added costs on top, retaining rights, and building real partnerships with your artists. Not advances with strings, but equity in the outcome.

Don’t chase the deals. Design them. On your terms. Just ask Chris Taylor.

-Ruiz

THE PLAYBOOK

(FEAT. Chris Taylor)

There was a time, not long ago, when the phrase "label support" meant everything. It meant marketing. It meant radio. It meant global reach. If your artist wasn’t signed, your ceiling felt inevitable. But that ceiling has cracked. And in many cases, it's vanished.

Today, great managers aren't just steering the ship. They're building it.

Listening to Chris Taylor talk about his journey with Hall of Fame and Last Gang Records, one thing became clear: the roles have changed. Managers now wear more hats than ever: A&R, digital strategist, publicist, legal advisor, tour coordinator, sometimes even financier.

The job is no longer just about securing deals. It's about designing ecosystems.

That one line from Chris Taylor captures everything.

And he's right.

This shift has been slow but seismic. The infrastructure that once belonged only to labels is now being rebuilt inside management teams. It's not uncommon to see managers owning marketing strategy, overseeing DSP relations, executing merch drops, and retaining equity in their artists' ventures.

The Takeaway:

If you want to future-proof your management business, you can't just be a connector. You have to be a builder. That means building teams, building trust, and building systems that allow artists to scale without giving up all their leverage.

This isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about knowing how to surround yourself with the right people who can.

Because in 2025, managers are no longer middlemen. They’re the new labels.

Strategy:

• Audit Your Capabilities: Where are you strong? Where are you stretched thin? Identify which "label" functions your management company already covers.

• Build Specialized Roles: Marketing, digital, touring, and business ops should be covered by people who live and breathe them.

• Negotiate Differently: As a builder, you should be approaching deals with ownership in mind, not just commission.

What We’re Watching:

• The structure of Hall of Fame Management: Chris Taylor's hybrid team of music law, PR, touring, and digital talent.

• Taylor Swift’s recent deals: limited licensing with major control retained.

• How "manager-led" businesses are scaling through equity, not just percentage-based revenue.

If you're not building infrastructure, you're already behind.

Watch Episode 33 with Chris Taylor LIVE NOW

CONSULTATIONS

I’m now offering 1-on-1 strategy sessions for artists, managers, and execs serious about navigating the music industry with clarity.

These sessions are fully personalized. Just us, focused on where you’re at and where you want to go. Whether it’s building the right team, scaling your brand, or making your next move with confidence, I’ll help you cut through the noise and create a real plan.

With 16+ years working across artist development, brand strategy, and executive roles, I bring honest insight and practical frameworks that move careers forward. A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

If you’re ready to invest in the long game, let’s get to work.

POD WRAP UP

Thank you for being part of this journey. Every message, every listen, every share helps grow this platform, and the work I’m building behind it. If you’re reading this, you’re already leaning into the future of artist development. Let’s keep sharpening the playbook, expanding the vision, and leading from wherever we stand.

Until next week.

Check out the full conversation with Chris Taylor for more insight.
Share your thoughts with us on IG @mauroisruiz

Watch the episode with Chris Taylor NOW

DON’T FORGET to Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE

You can also listen to ‘The Manager’s Playbook’ Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and several other platforms HERE

-Ruiz

THE MANAGER’S PLAYBOOK DISCORD IS WHERE YOU SHOULD BE

We’re Hosting Real Conversations, Live.
No gatekeepers. No fluff. Just straight talk with artists, managers, and guests who’ve actually done the work.

Nearly every week in our Discord, we’re going live for Q&As, pulling back the curtain on how the industry really moves.

Get in early. You never know who might pop in and drop game.

Bio

I’m Mauricio Ruiz, the Founder/CEO of 8 Til Faint, an Artist Management company with over 5 billion audio streams worldwide. Our past and current clients include Grammy nominated, Juno Award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Jessie Reyez, Marley Bleu, Skratch Bastid and more. I am also the Co-Founder of Mad Ruk Entertainment, a content agency with over 3 billion long form video streams worldwide. Our client list includes The Weeknd, Eminem, and Celine Dion, along with renowned brands like Nike, Pernod Ricard, Canon, and the NBA.

Follow me on IG @mauroisruiz

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