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

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

Episoder(260)

The Manager’s Playbook 058: JMSN - DIY Artist Blueprint, Music Videos, Ads, Touring, Content & Music Marketing

The Manager’s Playbook 058: JMSN - DIY Artist Blueprint, Music Videos, Ads, Touring, Content & Music Marketing

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with JMSN, artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and one of the best case studies for what real independent artist success looks like when you ...

10 Mar 1h 53min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on The Skill Every Music Manager Needs

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on The Skill Every Music Manager Needs

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving unpacks a “superpower” that’s quietly responsible for most long careers in the music business: surrounding yourself with the right people, reading the room, ...

9 Mar 18min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Operate Like a Record Label in Any Role

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Operate Like a Record Label in Any Role

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving III breaks down what changes when you go from managing outside the label system to operating inside it, and why most “label frustration” is really a culture ...

8 Mar 19min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on What to Do Before Artists Break

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on What to Do Before Artists Break

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving breaks down a truth the music business loves to forget: artist trust is built in the off-season.Not when the venue is sold out. Not when the streams spike. R...

7 Mar 21min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Spot Great Artists Early

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Spot Great Artists Early

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving breaks down how top music executives, A&Rs, and elite artist managers actually identify greatness and it’s not just “talent.”We talk artist development throu...

6 Mar 20min

The Manager’s Playbook 057: J. Erving III - Artist Development, Music Distribution, Label Services, Team Building, Manager Mindset, SONY/The Orchard & Streaming Growth

The Manager’s Playbook 057: J. Erving III - Artist Development, Music Distribution, Label Services, Team Building, Manager Mindset, SONY/The Orchard & Streaming Growth

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I’m joined by J. Erving III, CEO & Founder of Human Re Sources (a SONY Music/The Orchard partner), to talk about what it really takes to build an artist-led ...

3 Mar 1h 50min

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Music Publishing Deals 101

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Music Publishing Deals 101

If you’re a songwriter, producer, or manager, this is the publishing conversation that saves people from “congrats on the deal” regret.In this clip, Jacob Paul breaks down what a co-publishing (co-pub...

2 Mar 5min

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Mechanical Royalties

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Mechanical Royalties

If you’re an independent artist, producer, or songwriter, there’s a good chance you’re doing the loud part right (streams, content, growth) while missing the quiet part that builds real stability: mus...

1 Mar 15min

Populært innen Underholdning

papaya
enkel-servering
storefri-med-mikkel-og-herman
harm-og-hegseth
tusvik-tnne
tore-og-haralds-podkast
folk-flest-med-linn-og-nils
konspirasjonspodden
topp-3-med-wold-og-fladseth
ma-pa-behandling-med-morten-ramm
kjendiscrush-med-sofie-karlstad
hovla
big-5-med-nils-og-harald-2
nare-venner
vitnemal
gi-meg-alle-detaljene
rss-gammal-maiden
feedback-med-egon-holstad
rss-brassers
rss-ls-the-next-episode