ABOUT
Ryan Ruden is a senior entertainment executive and experiential marketing expert working at the intersection of music, gaming and technology to drive billions of impressions for artists and deliver multimillion-dollar collaborations and partnerships. Ryan's unique career experience spans executive management, live entertainment, recorded music and rights management roles, as well as groundbreaking work on innovative, fan-centric "firsts" with top-tier talent including Eminem, Lil Nas X and Grimes. He has excelled in his ability to create, execute and lead revenue generating campaigns through the artists’ lens to drive coveted earned media, being named a "Top 40 Under 40" and one of "Gaming’s Top Sync Players" by Billboard Magazine.
IG @ryanruden121
Website: https://aerialent.co/
PANELS
Music Managers: The New Power Brokers:
Let’s be honest: the center of gravity in the music industry has shifted. In 2026, the people shaping careers, controlling budgets, and driving long-term strategy aren’t sitting exclusively inside labels or platforms. They’re managers. What began as a cottage trade is now a global profession, with managers serving as the industry’s central power brokers. They are the only role structurally positioned to operate across every sector of the ecosystem on behalf of the artist: translating artistic vision into strategy, deals, and sustainable careers. Modern management is about leadership, leverage, and long-term value creation in a decentralized, global marketplace. This panel dives into how that influence is exercised, how power is stewarded responsibly, and how managers are shaping the future of the global music economy.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 3:15 PM