World’s Greatest Managers

‘What matters is that our gut instinct was right and we went with it.’

Teddy Swims manager Luke Conway on learning fast and thinking big

‘The best managers in our business are the ones who are patient with their artists and let them develop in a natural way.’

MBW's series on the World's Greatest Managers continues with Ian McEvily, whose hotter than the sun client, Dan Nigro, is the key creative collaborator with Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo

Interviews

Nick Bobetsky on Chappell Roan’s rise and why artistry is ‘a human matter – not a business matter’.

Chappell Roan manager Nick Bobetsky on the incredible rise of the breakthrough artist

Interviews

‘The instinctiveness with which an artist thinks is something to be learned from – don’t let data undermine it.’

In an exceedingly rare interview, the Pet Shop Boys’ Manager Angela Becker talks about the duo’s 40th anniversary, their enduring appeal, her 15 years on the team, working with Madonna and the importance of staying curious…

Interviews

‘Labels owning masters in perpetuity is criminal, quite frankly.’

Jungle manager Sam Denniston offers his thoughts on dinosaur record deals, TikTok, AI, going easy on DSPs and how his own neurological condition has and hasn’t impacted his career…

Interviews

‘Don’t sign things you don’t fully believe in. Otherwise you’ll have to fake it.’

Jamie Oborne talks success, ambition, adding Jack Antonoff to his management stable, and the “unflinching” artistry of The 1975…

Interviews

‘As time goes by, people realise what extraordinary songwriters they are.’

MBW’s World’s Greatest Managers series meets Wendy Laister, who has managed Duran Duran for over two decades

Interviews

‘We are looking towards Ed and Taylor right now as the inspiration.’

Drew Simmons talks about the thrills and challenges of managing 2023's breakout star, Noah Kahan

Interviews

Lucas Keller on ambition, songwriters, BMI – and what he’d do if he ran a major record company

As Milk & Honey turns 10 years old, company founder Lucas Keller joins MBW's World's Greatest Managers series. He has some views...

Interviews

‘When you’re seeing Jane’s Addiction or Porno For Pyros on stage, that’s what life’s about. It’s the best job in the world at that point’

Perry Farrell's co-manager, Michael James, talks about working with an alt-rock pioneer and the cultural impact of his client's bands and projects, from Jane's Addiction to Lollapalooza

Interviews

‘The grind never stops, and I love it; I’m more motivated than ever.’

Khalid's manager, and founder of Right Hand Music, Courtney Stewart, discusses how he took a young, broke High School kid to the top of the charts - and where they go next

Interviews

‘You can’t work with someone if they’re not going to trust you. That’s when it all goes out the window.’

Nonstop Management founder Jaime Zeluck-Hindlin talks about her career to date and how her clients had a hand in two of the biggest tracks of the year

Interviews

‘I think I screamed, ‘F*** yeah!’, which may not have been the most appropriate thing to do.’

Ben Persky and Mason Klein, co-founders of Mixed Management, discuss their journey to Grammy success with Tobias Jesso Jr

Interviews

‘I don’t take it for granted when someone trusts me to help them with their career – their life, really. That’s a giant statement in itself.’

Kerri Edwards talks about how she helped take Luke Bryan from bars to arenas and what she learned along the way

Interviews

‘Being unsigned doesn’t matter anymore. Now, it’s about being independent.’

Ty Baisden, the long-time business partner and manager of independent R&B star Brent Faiyaz tells us about turning his independent artist marketing strategies into a book and his predictions for the indie artist space...