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Manager Spotlight is a way to get a small insight into the heads of incredible managers. This week in the spotlight is  Nick Myers a manager on the 2019 Accelerator  Programme, supported by YouTube Music.

How long have you worked in Management? 

I started in the business as a manager at Fine Management (Digital Farm Animals, RØMANS, Saint PHNX) in July 2015 and left to set up 37º in January 2018.

Who do you manage now?

The 37º roster has 4 DJs – Jay Pryor (VirginEMI/Republic), Jonas Aden (Musical Freedom), rrotik (Night Bass), Novodor (tbc) and 3 producer-writers – Maths Time Joy, Linden Jay and Joe Warriner. You can find out what they’re all up to here.

Where did you find your first client and what inspired you to take them on?

I found my first client – Maths Time Joy – whilst I was working at Fine Management. The company was developing a new act at the time – a soulful RnB singer, songwriter – and I was tasked with finding producers to work with him. I’d been a fan of Maths Time Joy for several years and he was one of the first people I thought of reaching out to see if he’d be up for working with the artist. On reaching out it became apparently he’d recently moved on from his management and was exploring new options. Although I didn’t have any previous experience of courting a client, I quickly went on a charm offensive and was proactive, bringing in opportunities for him to demonstrate what I could bring to his business.

What’s a good/bad day at work look like for you?

Good day – the unexpected delight at receiving a confirmation email from a synch-agent for a placement in a high profile Netflix series with a hefty fee attached for a low-key remix of one of a client’s record that seemingly came out of nowhere.

Bad day – planning contingencies and limiting the financial impact following the cancellation of upcoming Asia tours and a SXSW trip all coronavirus related

What has been the highlight of your management career to date?

It sounds cliche, but it really is getting to wake up everyday and be excited about the work I do. Before music I was on the graduate programme at a Big 4 accounting firm and lacked any real passion for the work I was doing, so I know first-hand what it’s like to ‘live for the weekend’ and I’m motivated by the thought of not having to return to an occupation where I’m wishing my week away.

What do you think are the big challenges for a manager in 2020?

-Knowing how to prioritise your time properly given the infinite and ever increasing list of things that we could/should be on top of and actioning.
-Building up regular and predictable baseline income streams for clients so that that our income is similarly regular and predictable, allowing greater scope for financial planning.
-Maintaining one’s mental health in amongst the incessant buzz of notifications and feeling the need to be ‘always on’.
-Figuring out how to cut through the noise with a new act amongst all the amazing talent that’s already out there.

What music are you currently listening to?

The new Disclosure EP, Jarreau Vandal, FARR, Dyo, Shakka, Amindi, Master Peace, Duchess, Princess Nokia, Umi, Guvna B, Effie, President T, Culan.