Pop Music Management

Michael Mary Murphy teaches music industry and entrepreneurship at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dublin, Ireland. Previously he worked in various roles in the music industry, starting in the Dublin DIY music scene, before working for major labels in London and New York, and then managing music acts in the US and Canada.

"An invaluable source [which] showcases the importance of interpersonal connections and of the human elements of artists’ management and reveals the complexity of the artist manager’s job, underlining how a combination of music, managerial and interpersonal skills is crucial for an artists’ success. Murphy’s writing is simple and enjoyable without compromising the quality of the book, but rather making it accessible to students, academics and anyone interested in discovering the fascinating world of pop music through the lens of pop artists’ management." Olga Kolokytha, Journal of Cultural Management and Cultural Policy"More than a how-to, this book is a wonderful synthesis of engaging real-life examples with traditional management theory one might find in a business management classroom. Pop Music Management should be a go-to for anyone hoping to learn the craft." Jeremy Peters, Wayne State University, USA"Through tales of singing nuns, business-savvy larks, and even Taylor Swift, Michael Mary Murphy uses the fascinating history of pop music management to demonstrate how the visionaries working alongside musicians have shaped the industry as we know it today. Managers, musicians, and scholars can all draw from Murphy’s insightful analysis of trends past and present." Heather McDonald, Instructor of Arts Management and Director of the Music Industry Concentration, College of Charleston, USA "From the Singing Nun to the Beatles, Foo Fighters to Taylor Swift, Michael Mary Murphy delivers a detailed, engaging and thoroughly readable exposition on the role of the music manager and the vital professional relationships underpinning successful pop and rock artists of the modern era." Russ Bestley, Reader in Graphic Design and Subcultures, London College of Communication

• 1. What Management Isn’t: The Singing Nun 2. Key Moments in UK Pop Management 3. Key Moments in US Pop Music Management 4. Black Enterprise and Pop 5. Early Women Managers 6. The Relationship between Artists and Managers 7. Artists Who Manage 8. Modern Management: K-pop