The Manager's Playbook

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nima Nasseri and Mauricio Ruiz unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of success in the music industry: visualization, mindset, and mental discipline.This isn’t about motivation. It’s about alignment.Nima explains why artists, managers, and creators who build lasting careers start with the internal work first. Before the streams, before the content strategy, before the opportunities, there’s clarity of vision. What you see, feel, and believe directly shapes how you move through your career.The conversation touches on how elite performers and athletes use visualization, why mental health and gratitude are essential for creative longevity, and how building the right team culture compounds success over time. Nima also shares practical insight into daily routines, habit tracking, and goal setting, offering a grounded framework artists can actually apply.If you’re an independent artist, manager, or creative navigating today’s fast-moving music business, this clip is a reminder that sustainable growth starts from the inside out.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/29UCcW0A5LeIquPLsdf2FB?si=9HhtH7SYQ6aurU1fq3tF8gWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nima Nasseri breaks down what it really takes for artists to succeed in today’s digital-first music industry.Nima explains why talent alone isn’t enough anymore and why artists have to rethink how they show up, market themselves, and build momentum. Success today comes from mindset, consistency, and understanding how content and platforms actually work.The conversation touches on TikTok strategy, social media algorithms, and why reframing yourself as a creator and marketer isn’t selling out, it’s adapting. Nima also speaks candidly about authenticity, mental health, burnout, and how to stay consistent without losing yourself in the process.Whether you’re an independent artist, artist manager, or someone trying to build a long-term career in the music business, this clip offers a grounded look at what growth really requires in the current landscape.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/29UCcW0A5LeIquPLsdf2FB?si=9HhtH7SYQ6aurU1fq3tF8gWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nima Nasseri breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in the modern music industry: virality.This isn’t about chasing trends or hoping the algorithm saves you. It’s about why consistency, authenticity, and understanding content systems are what actually create momentum for artists and creators today.Nima shares the real-life story of Norris Williams, a 72-year-old dog trainer who had been living on a train for years and how applying the same principles artists need to grow online turned social media into something far more powerful than views. What came out of it wasn’t hype, but community, opportunity, and a new business.The conversation also touches on how platform algorithms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube all move differently, and why artists who fail to adapt their strategy end up stuck. In today’s music business, knowing how these systems work isn’t optional, it’s part of the job.If you’re an independent artist, creator, or manager trying to understand how discovery really works in a post-gatekeeper industry, this clip offers a clear reframe worth sitting with.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/29UCcW0A5LeIquPLsdf2FB?si=9HhtH7SYQ6aurU1fq3tF8gWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Nima Nasseri, artist manager for Hit-Boy and former VP at Universal Music Group, breaks down how the music industry is evolving with a focus on content over talent. He discusses the importance of consistency and strategic storytelling in today's algorithm-driven landscape. Nima shares inspiring stories, like using TikTok to help Norris Williams, a homeless man, rebuild his life. He explores platform nuances and creative content strategies that drive audience growth, emphasizing that artists must adapt or risk being left behind.

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy break down one of the biggest questions in the music industry today:Does every artist need a major label or can you build a successful career independently?Azad offers a refreshingly honest look at the advantages and limitations of major label partnerships, from global reach and international infrastructure to the realities of misaligned deals and lost creative direction. He also explains why some artists thrive in the independent sector, especially when they build a strong, bespoke team that actually understands their vision.This conversation dives deep into:• how to evaluate a record deal and what a label can really offer• why artist development is still the foundation of every long career• the qualities that make a great A&R• challenges artists face when signing too early• what independence looks like when done intentionally• how to build a team that supports your long-term goalsWhether you're considering a label deal, building an independent operation, or trying to understand how to scale your music career the right way, this clip delivers practical guidance you won’t hear in most industry rooms.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OEmeP3qCOLotxuji6se0j?si=IGzhU94zT2ydsy63TGkhuwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy explore one of the most transformative shifts happening in the music business today: the explosive rise of ambient, instrumental, and neoclassical music and why it’s creating new financial opportunities for artists who approach it with intention.Azad breaks down how changing conversations around mental health, peace of mind, and emotional well-being have opened the door for a new wave of artists who aren’t chasing virality, but instead building real, sustainable streaming revenue through catalog depth and consistency.Ruiz highlights how Peace of Mind Studio has built an ecosystem where artists are already earning six-figure incomes, powered by high-quality production, smart catalog strategy, and genre innovation.They also dive into the business mechanics behind this success:• better deal structures,• thoughtful recoupment models,• smart financial literacy,• and the intentional development that leads to long-term sustainability.From innovative partnership models to building a multimillion-dollar operation without sacrificing artistic integrity, this conversation is a roadmap for anyone looking to understand the future of independent artist monetization, instrumental music growth, and the systems required to build a stable, fulfilling career in today’s industry.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OEmeP3qCOLotxuji6se0j?si=IGzhU94zT2ydsy63TGkhuwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy break down the real mechanics of touring in the modern music business. Not the highlight reel, the reality. Azad opens up about the challenges artists face when they jump into touring too early, the financial and physical toll of the road, and why developing a strong live performance strategy is essential for long-term success.They explore how great artists build unforgettable shows through fan engagement, experience design, and intentional stage development, and why choosing the right venues, pacing your growth, and investing in your live show matters more than chasing big stages prematurely. Azad also speaks on the importance of tour economics, mastering different revenue streams, and why longevity often comes from patience, restraint, and incremental growth.Whether you’re an independent artist, manager, or anyone navigating the touring ecosystem, this conversation offers practical insights on sustainable touring, fan-building strategy, and making smart business decisions that support your career instead of draining it.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OEmeP3qCOLotxuji6se0j?si=IGzhU94zT2ydsy63TGkhuwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this episode clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with artist, executive, and Avant Garden co-founder Azad Naficy to unpack one of the most important truths in the modern music business:The people who make the most money in music aren’t the artists, they’re the ones who own the copyright.Azad breaks down how record labels build wealth through ownership and equity, why understanding your masters, publishing, and copyright is essential, and what artists should look for before signing any record deal.He also shares how early collaborators like Brittany Crawford and Brando shaped his approach to artist development and why great management is always centered on people, not numbers.Whether you’re an independent artist, aspiring music executive, manager, or someone trying to understand how real careers are built, this conversation offers clarity on:• The real economics of the music industry• How labels profit from ownership and catalog• What makes effective artist development• The mindset shift from artist to executive• How to build the right team for long-term growthThis is a candid, strategic breakdown of how the business actually works and why artists need to understand it before they give anything away.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OEmeP3qCOLotxuji6se0j?si=IGzhU94zT2ydsy63TGkhuwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Azad Naficy has lived every corner of the music business - artist, manager, A&R, label co-founder, and the architect behind Peace of Mind Studio and Avant Garden Records. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Azad breaks down what most artists, managers, and entrepreneurs wish they learned years earlier: how the modern music industry actually works.From artist development and music marketing to major label deals, streaming strategy, touring economics, brand building, merchandising, A&R, and catalog development, Azad shares the frameworks that helped him build sustainable careers and long-term creative infrastructure.We unpack how he went from burnout to building a multi-million-dollar creative ecosystem, why not every artist should be independent, what makes great artist management, how to structure real partnerships, and the mindset required to build a career that lasts longer than a viral moment.If you’re an independent artist, music manager, A&R, label operator, or someone serious about building a real music career, this is a masterclass in strategy, clarity, and long-term vision.In this episode we dive into:• Artist development and building real infrastructure• What makes a major label deal actually worth it• Ownership, equity, and the business behind the music• Why merch and branding must be authentic• The truth about touring and why it’s not always profitable• Playlist strategy, editorial pitching, and streaming growth• Managing burnout while scaling creative output• Building Peace of Mind Studio and redefining jazz, ambient & neoclassical markets• Financial literacy, recoupment, and long-term artist success• The future of independent labels and creative ecosystemsAzad doesn’t talk theory. He talks execution. And this conversation is loaded with the kind of insights that reshape careers.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Grammy-winning songwriter Theron Thomas breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in the music industry, the myth of “selling your soul,” and why people reach for conspiracy theories when they don’t understand the real work behind success.Theron speaks candidly about his journey in music, the challenges he’s faced, the deals he’s navigated, and the moments that forced him to grow. He talks about maintaining integrity in an industry that tests it constantly, and why gratitude, accountability, and work ethic matter more than anything people think is happening behind the scenes.Ruiz and Theron dive into the truth about music business relationships, publishing deals, career setbacks, artist development, and the pressure that comes with real success. They also unpack the emotional and psychological side of building a long-term career, the part that never gets seen, but determines everything.This conversation is a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to succeed as an artist, songwriter, producer, manager, or executive. No shortcuts. No secrets. Just the truth:Winners aren’t selling their souls. They’re working harder, staying disciplined, and learning from every mistake.If you’re navigating the creative world or building a career in music, this is one you’ll feel in your chest.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ep3gakdSoW33fD99LShrd?si=OUWDoPF-R0-bFJ3jE1dYkQWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook