The Manager’s Playbook 032: Nick Ruffalo - Artist Archetypes, Brand Strategy, Content Funnels, Paid Marketing, Breakthrough Moments & Building in Public

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo, SVP of Digital Marketing & Audience Engagement at Big Loud Records and founder of Unleashed, for a sharp, unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build an artist brand in 2025.

Nick breaks down the difference between branding and content (hint: most artists confuse the two), how to build trust before traction, and why clarity, not aesthetics, is the foundation of a scalable music career. They dive into the power of archetypes, content funnels, the role of paid media, and how to navigate the leap from developing artist to breakthrough moment with intention.

If you’re an artist, manager, or creative operator looking to build something real, without chasing trends, this one’s required listening.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠

New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET