The Manager's Playbook

Nick Jarjour shares the inside story behind Hipgnosis Songs Fund, the company that redefined how the world values music.

From his work alongside Merck Mercuriadis to building one of the most innovative catalog funds in history, Nick reveals how Hipgnosis raised the music multiple, shifted the economics of creativity, and gave songwriters the recognition they’ve long deserved.

He also reflects on the creation of the Grammy Songwriter of the Year Award, the fight for fair compensation, and the deeper purpose behind being a true artist advocate.

This episode is a masterclass in vision, business, and belief. A reminder that protecting the people who create culture is how you build legacy.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Nick Jarjour shares the story of Starrah, one of the most transformative songwriters in modern music. From crafting Rihanna’s “Needed Me” to shaping global hits for Camila Cabello and Maroon 5, Starrah’s journey is a masterclass in authenticity, creativity, and vision.

In this conversation, Nick explores how she redefined the relationship between artist and songwriter, why context is king, and how mental health and emotional intelligence shape long-term success. He also unpacks the idea of Return on Emotion (ROE), a reminder that the most meaningful rewards in music aren’t always financial.

This episode dives deep into the intersection of culture, creativity, and strategy, and what it really takes to build a legacy that lasts.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Nick Jarjour takes us inside the real world of music management.

In this conversation, Nick breaks down what it truly means to manage artists and songwriters at the highest level: protecting their vision, aligning with their values, and helping them navigate the demands of the modern industry.

He shares insights on why the best songwriters think like artists, how to build sustainable careers rooted in morals and principles, and what it takes to lead with integrity in an environment built on constant change.

This episode is a masterclass in creative leadership, a must-listen for anyone serious about building a lasting career in music.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Nick Jarjour opens up about the making of In Whose Name, a powerful and deeply human documentary on Ye that explores the intersection of mental health, creativity, and control.

In this conversation, Nick reflects on the challenges of protecting artistic truth while navigating the emotional and ethical weight of telling someone else’s story. It’s a rare look into what it means to balance creative freedom, responsibility, and integrity in modern culture.

If you care about storytelling, leadership, and the realities of the creative industry, this one will stay with you.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Nick Jarjour has built his career around one mission: protecting the storytellers.

From managing Starrah, the songwriter behind Rihanna’s “Needed Me,” to executive producing In Whose Name, one of the highest-grossing documentaries in recent years, Nick has always stood at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and responsibility.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Nick opens up about his journey from a young songwriter to becoming one of the most respected executives in the business. He shares what it means to lead with empathy, how mental health fuels creativity, and why protecting artists, writers, and filmmakers isn’t just good leadership. It’s good business.

We dive into his work with Hipgnosis Songs Fund and his mission to revalue songwriters, his philosophy around morals, values, and principles (MVP), and his perspective on the future of music through AI, blockchain, and innovation.

This is a conversation about purpose, partnership, and the power of standing for the people who make culture possible.

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

What does it really take to build lasting partnerships between artists, brands, and technology?

In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok, reflects on her career journey from PR to tech, sharing lessons from campaigns with J. Cole, and Beyoncé’s Super Bowl performance. She also breaks down how to balance brand expectations with artist needs, and why the best collaborations leave everyone walking away with value.

We dive into case studies like Jessie Reyez’s Jameson partnership and The Weeknd’s VR concert with TikTok, plus explore how AI is shaping the next era of music and brand integration.

This is practical advice and real-world strategy for artists, managers, and brands preparing for the future of music.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pcslHOcyo1H9LFh6WMWF8?si=XVoXX_mhSZau35nFFLCu1w

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

AI is reshaping how music is created and consumed, raising new opportunities and new risks.

In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok, joins us to discuss how AI can amplify creativity while forcing the industry to confront difficult questions about monetization, ethics, and the role of human artistry.

We dive into the harsh realities of streaming payouts, the viral rise of an AI-assisted rock band, and the possibility of AI replacing artists. Isabel also shares why the human connection in music still matters, and how the industry must adapt to protect it.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pcslHOcyo1H9LFh6WMWF8?si=XVoXX_mhSZau35nFFLCu1w

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

AI is changing how music is created, discovered, and experienced.

In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok, breaks down how her team is building the future of personalized music. From their patented Style Filter technology to subscription models, marketplaces, and API integrations, we explore the new tools shaping the industry.

We also dive into how kids are already engaging with AI music through gaming platforms like Roblox, the rise of digital social experiences, and what niche communities mean for the future of music discoverability.

This is a glimpse into where music creation is headed and why the rules are being rewritten in real time.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pcslHOcyo1H9LFh6WMWF8?si=XVoXX_mhSZau35nFFLCu1w

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Generative AI is shaking up the music industry, creating new opportunities and new risks.

In this clip, Isabel Quinteros (SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok) breaks down the ethical, legal, and cultural questions surrounding AI in music. From text-to-music prompts to copyright concerns, fair use, and artist compensation, Isabel shares how her team is building a “clean base model” to protect creators and ensure sustainable monetization.

We also explore the future of royalties, licensing, and how artists can thrive in an AI-driven world.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pcslHOcyo1H9LFh6WMWF8?si=XVoXX_mhSZau35nFFLCu1w

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this episode, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Isabel Quinteros, former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok and now SVP at Jen Music AI. From her start in PR to shaping TikTok’s rise and now leading conversations on AI, Isabel shares her journey and perspective on the future of music.

They dive into the ethical challenges of AI, artist compensation, the role of blockchain in royalties, and how younger generations are reshaping music through gaming and community. Packed with real-world insights, this episode is for artists, managers, and anyone curious about where music and technology collide.

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