The L's: Lessons Learned: Recent Episodes
The Digilogue
The Digilogue sits down with influential music and tech creatives as they dive into key moments that have defined their career.
In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits down with Head of Artist Marketing at UnitedMasters, David Melhado (https://www.instagram.com/dave.melhado), to give his top ten lessons learned in the music industry.
(00:00) - Intro
(18:36) - Lesson #1 - Don't Be Afraid to Talk to People
(21:03) - Lesson #2 - Utilize Resources You Have
(22:26) - Lesson #3 - Start Something on Your Own
(23:14) - Lesson #4 - Learn How to Have Hard Conversations
(33:24) - Lesson #5 - Don't Take Things Personally
(39:05) - Lesson #6 - Make Sure You're Adding Value
(42:30) - Lesson #7 - You Can't Skip Steps
(51:05) - Lesson #8 - Learn How to Sell Yourself
(1:05:46) - Lesson #9 - Create your Own Opportunities
(1:06:03) - Lesson #10 - Work Hard and be Trustworthy
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://www.instagram.com/BrandonNales)
Music by RIZR (http://www.instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #UnitedMasters #DavidMelhado
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In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits down with Co-Founder & CEO of Indify (https://indify.io/) & Artist Shav Garg (https://www.instagram.com/prettyboyshav), to discuss his upbringing in America after living in India, Singapore, and Malaysia (3:30), his early inspirations as an artist (14:05), the importance of starting small when building out an idea (26:15), his experience working with having his best friends as business partners (36:42), and his ideas of success as an artist (45:50).
In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits down with songwriter and CEO of The Mezzo Agency, Tami Latrell (https://www.instagram.com/tamilatrell), to discuss her upbringing in Houston, TX (11:16), finding out that Whitney Houston had used on of her songs (15:29), pivoting from an artist to a songwriter (23:55), joining Radio One to help develop a digital team (44:10), and starting The Mezzo Agency (58:55)
Manny Toro, a Milwaukee native, holds 15+ years of expertise in the Global Marketing space. Promoted to his most recent role in 2019, he serves as Head of Music Marketing at the USA Headquarters in Santa Monica.
Formerly, General Manager of Beamly, which was acquired by Coty Inc in Q4 2015. He previously served as Director of New Media for Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records, overseeing marketing efforts for Pitbull, Yo Gotti, Nina Sky, Yung Joc, Hurricane Chris, Avery Storm, and a full roster of recording artists, yielding multi-platinum sales, branding partnerships, tours, and hundreds of millions of KPI's achieved.
His past experiences involve leading multi-platform marketing at Viacom, with a concentration on relaunching MTV2, developing mtvU strategy, and leading many of MTV360’s live events. Manny is passionate about giving back to the community and less fortunate through Toys for Tots, American Red Cross, New York Blood Center, and numerous speaking events geared towards at-risk youth. He’s been asked to speak for Milwaukee Public Schools, Rutgers University, LIM College, and numerous Big Vision Empty Wallet events. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his family.
In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s, Drew De Leon,(https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator), Kyle Bailey (https://www.instagram.com/yktvkb), and Brandon Nales (https://www.instagram.com/BrandonNales) sit with the founder of Black With No Cream (https://instagram.com/blackwithnocream), Ben Hagarty (https://www.instagram.com/benrealvsworld), to discuss staying motivated once moving to Los Angeles as a creative (11:02), learning to fight for his creativity after seeing his first debut as a director get shelved (19:48), finding the balance between paying your dues and knowing your value (25:20) and providing next-level education to creators through Black With No Cream (50:00).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://www.instagram.com/BrandonNales)
Music by RIZR (http://www.instagram.com/rizrmusic) #lessonslearned #thedigilogue #blackwithnocream #benhagarty
Stay connected with #thedigilogue
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https://www.thedigilogue.com
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In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits with media personality, Gray Rizzy (https://www.instagram.com/grayrizzy), to discuss growing up in the South Bronx during the rise of Hip-Hop (4:23), experiencing the rise of Notorious B.I.G. (15:11), getting his first opportunity in music as an intern under Lyor Cohen at Def Jam (17:19), and transitioning from throwing parties in New York City to radio (41:22).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales
(http://www.instagram.com/BrandonNales)
Music by RIZR
(http://www.instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #GrayRizzy
Stay connected with #thedigilogue
https://www.twitch.tv/TheDigilogue
https://www.thedigilogue.com
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In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits with the SVP of Creative Content at Republic Records, Chris Blackwell (https://www.instagram.com/iamchrisblackwell), to discuss starting his own blog to break into the LA music and entertainment scene (19:00), the importance of having a great mentor (31:50), getting his first official start in music with All Def Digital (36:28), and his defining moment in music (43:00).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://www.instagram.com/BrandonNales)
Music by RIZR (http://www.instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #ChrisBlackwell
Stay connected with #thedigilogue
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In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits with the Director of °1824 UMG (https://www.1824official.com), Rebekah Espinosa (https://www.instagram.com/writingrebe), to discuss her early influences in music (8:29), transitioning from the medical field into music marketing (21:19), getting acclimated to the music scene in New York City (31:06), and how her willingness to learn keeps her ahead of the trends (44:56).
In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits with Vice President of Digital Marketing & Strategy at Alamo Records, Sanchay 'Dharmic' Jain, to discuss how he is adjusting to working remotely during quarantine (4:48), the "music of his childhood" (11:13), starting a radio show focused on underground artists while at NYU (17:41), pivoting to PR work and writing for Complex (32:50), and finding passion in bringing emerging artists to the spotlight (47:15).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://www.instagram.com/BrandonNales)
Music by RIZR (http://www.instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #DharmicJain
Stay connected with #thedigilogue
https://www.twitch.tv/TheDigilogue
https://www.thedigilogue.com
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During this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits with Senior Director of Marketing at Def Jam, Jaclyn Soto, (https://www.instagram.com/omgjacki3) to discuss her role as a product manager and working directly with artists to bring their visions to life (5:49), early music inspirations (10:08), pivoting from fashion merchandising to marketing for Cornerstone and UMG (12:18), exploring different industries but ultimately following her passion for music (26:34), looking for work after graduating college (33.17), and the importance of having mentors and a strong support system (42:05).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://www.instagram.com/BrandonNales)
Music by RIZR (http://www.instagram.com/rizrmusic) #lessonslearned #thedigilogue #JaclynSoto
Stay connected with #thedigilogue
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https://www.thedigilogue.com
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In this episode of the L’s Podcast, The Digilogue’s Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (https://www.instagram.com/drewcurator) sits with Heating Up Agency’s Principal, Modi Oyewole (http://instagram.com/supermodi) to share his thoughts on self-care and taking advantage of time and resources to learn and grow during the pandemic (8:39), branding himself as the ‘music guy’ in junior high school and interning at Def Jam (@16:35), curating a radio show and blog with his hometown friend Quinn (@22:49), putting together Trillectro music festival (@29:35), and using his network and ambition to self-start the Heating Up Agency (@37:05).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://instagram.com/brandonnales)
Music by RIZR (http://instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #modioyewole
Stay connected with #thedigilogue
://www.twitch.tv/thedigilogue
https://www.thedigilogue.com
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During this episode of the L's Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon, (http://www.instagram.com/drewcurator/) sits with Medium Creative Agency's Founder, Quinelle Holder (http://instagram.com/quinelleholder), to discuss his unique start in the industry (@14:05), dropping out of college and landing an opportunity with HYPEBEAST (@25:03), transitioning from a blogger to an established journalist (@31:15), the importance of maintaining genuine relationships (@40:16), crossing over to PR (46:40), and how the Medium Creative Agency was born (@58:25).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://instagram.com/brandonnales)
Music by RIZR (http://instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #quinelleholder
Stay Connected with #thedigilogue
https://www.twitch.tv/thedigilogue
https://www.thedigilogue.com
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In this episode of The L's (Lessons Learned) Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon (http://instagram.com/drewcurator) sits down with Co-Founder of Arketek, Artist Manager, and A&R, Edith Bo (http://instagram.com/edithbo) to reflect on her start as a music manager (@11:54), the importance of being persistent (@22:10), the challenges of being a young woman in the music industry (@25:30), and her decision to start building her own legacy with Arketek (@58:33).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://instagram.com/brandonnales)
Music by RIZR (http://instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #EdithBo
Stay Connected with #thedigilogue
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In this episode of The L's (Lessons Learned) Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon (http://instagram.com/drewcurator) sits down with Publishing A&R @ Secretly Groups, Melanie McClain (http://instagram.com/melknee) to reflect on meeting G-Eazy and help him gain publicity (@9:59), turning her love of music into a career (@18:20), thinking outside of the box when marketing artists (@29:28), and the importance of building and nurturing friendships in the music industry (@47:35).
Executive Produced by Brandon Nales (http://instagram.com/brandonnales)
Music by RIZR (http://instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #MelanieMcClain
Stay Connected with #thedigilogue
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On this episode of The L's (Lessons Learned) Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon (http://instagram.com/drewcurator) sits down with Head of Digital Sales & Revenue @ Alamo Records, J.R. Mckee (http://instagram.com/j.r.mckee) to reflect on his start as a manager (@15:18), his realization of how to profit in the music industry (@23:22), what goes into breaking an artist (@31:00), and learning how and where to invest his money (@41:36).
Music by RIZR (http://instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #JRMcKee
Stay Connected with #thedigilogue
https://www.thedigilogue.com
https://www.instagram.com/thedigilogue
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https://www.facebook.com/thedigilogue/
On this episode of The L's Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon (http://instagram.com/drewcurator) sits down with the Amuse CEO, Diego Farias (http://instagram.com/amuse.io) to discuss Sweden's role in shaping the future of the music industry (13:20), lessons for building a team (27:08), building a consumer base (33:56), and how Amuse can benefit independent artists (44:20).
Music by RIZR (http://instagram.com/rizrmusic)
lessonslearned #thedigilogue #diegofarias
Stay connected with #thedigilogue
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https://www.instagram.com/thedigilogue
https://twitter.com/thedigilogue
https://www.facebook.com/thedigilogue/
On this episode of The L's Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon (@DrewCurator) sits down with BET's Music Programmer and St. Louis native, Trenton Pratt (@TrentonxPratt) to discuss involving himself in his city's local music scene (9:18), overcoming self-doubt (15:42), moving to New York City in pursuit of a career (20:52), and his best advice to anyone looking to get into the music industry (35:40).
On this episode of The L's Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon (http://instagram.com/drewcurator) sits down with "The Culture's Olivia Pope", Alyi V (http://instagram.com/AlyiV), to discuss breaking into the entertainment industry (12:56), connecting with Damon Dash, co-starring on Shade45 and Hip-Hop Nation (22:25), creating value through personal branding (23:19), and learning how to monetize her passion (34:08). Music by RIZR (http://instagram.com/rizrmusic)
LessonsLearned #AlyiV #TheDigilogue
On this episode of The L's Podcast, The Digilogue's Co-Founder, Drew De Leon (@DrewCurator) sits down with Genius' Senior Artist Relations Manager, Kayvan Daragheh (@KayvanMD) to discuss balancing his career and his passion (15:37), the power of LinkedIn (22:30), building an organic relationship in the music industry (26:10), and the benefits of being a part of a music community (30:38).