The Manager's Playbook

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Che Kothari, a multifaceted visionary whose work spans photography, artist management, festival production, and much more. Che’s career is a testament to the power of creativity, community, and spirituality. Join us as we explore Che's incredible path, from discovering his passion for photography at a young age to founding Toronto’s Manifesto Festival and managing top-tier artists like Machel Montano and Mustafa The Poet. Che’s professional life is also marked by a profound spiritual exploration. His path crossed with renowned spiritual leader Sadhguru, whose teachings on mindfulness, balance, and stillness have significantly impacted Che’s life and work. In this episode, Che shares how his spiritual journey has informed his approach to managing burnout, maintaining creativity, and fostering authentic connections. A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz sits down with acclaimed record producers and songwriters Matthew Burnett and Jordan Evans. Known for their exceptional work in the music industry, Matthew and Jordan have seamlessly transitioned into the realm of artist management, co-founding Golden Child Recordings and guiding Daniel Caesar to international stardom as an independent artist. Mauricio, Matthew, and Jordan delve into their journey from growing up in Ajax, influenced by legendary producers like Boi-1da and T-Minus, to landing major placements with top-tier artists such as Drake and Eminem. They share the serendipitous story of meeting Daniel Caesar, their strategies for managing his career, and the advantages of operating independently in the music industry. Mauricio also shares the story of his first encounter with Matthew and Jordan during his time managing Jessie Reyez with Byron Wilson. Both their teams were involved in intense bidding wars and discovered they had the same approach and mindset to artist management, providing them with unique insights into the high-stakes nature of the music industry. This episode offers an in-depth look at the nuances of record production, the intricacies of artist management, and the contrast between major labels and independent routes. It’s a masterclass in music industry dynamics and the art of nurturing talent.  A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap. 

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Lex Borrero, a prominent figure in the Latin American music and entertainment industry, for this  episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast.  Lex has worked with some of the biggest names in pop music including Tainy, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, J Balvin, Will Smith, Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, The Montaners Family, Kali Ucis and several other prominent figures.  In this episode, Mauricio and Lex discuss Lex's work as an artist manager, producer, executive, and entrepreneur. They explore his early days breaking the mold in non-secular music, the power of narrative and intention, his groundbreaking partnership with Tainy, brokering deals with powerhouse film studios and broadcasting networks, following his gut intuition, non-traditional mentorships, his strong bond with head of creative Ivan Rodriguez, having skin in the game and much more. Most importantly, Ruiz & Lex highlight highlight his unique talent as a creative executive and his exceptional clarity of vision. Lex Borrero is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, known for his innovative vision and strategic acumen. With a career spanning over two decades, Lex has established himself as a leading figure in talent management, music production, and media entrepreneurship. He is the co-founder of NEON16, a multi-faceted creative company that he established alongside the renowned producer Tainy. Together, they have rapidly transformed NEON16 into a powerhouse in the Latin music scene, launching numerous chart-topping hits and nurturing the careers of top artists. Lex's keen eye for talent, coupled with his relentless drive and industry expertise, complements Tainy's creative prowess, earning them a reputation as transformative leaders who consistently push the boundaries of what's possible in the entertainment world. Lex is also the co-founder of NTERTAIN STUDIOS (along with Tommy Mottola and Ivan Rodriguez) a Latin Entertainment and media company focusing on the creation, development, and production of premier content across television, film and digital. We bring Latin stories to the forefront by representing the global power and success of Latin celebrities, talent, brands and culture. Some of those properties include LA FIRMA & LOS MONTANER.  

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Tyler Henry, one of the youngest superstar Artist Managers in the game, for the next episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast. In this episode, Ruiz and Tyler talk about his humble upbringing leading to his career in the music industry. From being a sound engineer, tour manager, artist manager, managing partner at Range Music while working with the biggest names in music like Drake, Rihanna, Bad Bunny, Rosalía, Kendrick Lamar, PARTYNEXTDOOR and more.  A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap. 

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with American music manager, entrepreneur, and investor, Troy Carter for the inaugural episode of The Manager's Playbook Podcast. In this episode, Mauricio and Troy discuss the role of a great artist manager, how to identify a great artist, TikTok vs UMG and where AI is going in the next 5 years, how to get from small venues to stadiums, super fandom and data collection, and much more. A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.