With a career in music spanning over two decades, and now part of the management team of iconic supergroup Black Eyed Peas, Rachel Strassberger is widely recognised as one of the most prolific operators within the global music industry.

From label work to tour diary management, from marketing oversights to overseeing artistic collaborations and multi-territory deals, Rachel has been there, done that, and done it better than most. Her reputation as a multi-lingual operator has seen her work seamlessly with teams all around the world, acting as a lynchpin for vast global release operations.

Her high-end, helicopter-style management has benefitted some of the planet’s biggest artists and labels. But how did she get here, where did she get her start, and what does the day-to-day life of a top artist management operator really look like?

Collabhouse was privileged to catch Rachel in a rare down moment to get some genuine pearls of wisdom for anyone thinking about getting into the industry as a career…

‍

Name: Rachel Strassberger

Job Title: Music Consultant / Music Management

Job Role Description: Working in this incredible music industry makes having a clear and defined job description quite tricky—especially since my clients have varying needs. As you know, I’m part of the Black Eyed Peas management team, but I also consult for other clients, ranging from labels to governmental projects. My role is hard to sum up because it spans everything from day-to-day scheduling, budgeting, and marketing strategy to overseeing show production, social media strategies, publishing, sample clearance, and more. The list is endless!

‍

What does a typical day in the life of a management team member of the Black Eyed Peas look like?

‍Ah, so now we’re narrowing it down to one client! Hahaha. Honestly, there’s no such thing as a typical day—it all depends on what phase we’re in. Are we releasing music, planning a tour, or on the road?

If we’re releasing music, I’m likely working on rollouts that include promo schedules, marketing plans, digital activations, and coordinating what the label is doing in different countries while ensuring we maximise their reach. My day could involve Zoom calls with the label, digital teams, designers, influencer agencies, promo agencies, and media partners.

If we’re touring, I’m on the road, juggling admin tasks (because those never stop!) while travelling.

‍

What do you enjoy most about your job?‍

I absolutely LOVE my job. I feel so fortunate and happy to wake up every day and do what I love. Recently, I was talking to my work-coach because I wondered if I might be a bit of a workaholic. I have long days since I’m based in Europe but work on Los Angeles time, often going to bed at 4 a.m. This has been my routine for over four and a half years.

Friends and family have occasionally hinted that I might have an “addiction.” So I started thinking… But, fun fact: according to my work coach, I’m not an addict—work is just a symbiotic part of my life, and I enjoy it immensely!!!

‍

What are the biggest challenges you face in your job?

‍There are many challenges, but one consistent struggle throughout my career is convincing artists of the importance of maintaining a “door to their fans”—in other words, social media. I understand it’s not always easy to be active or “social,” but it’s a reality of today’s world. Without it, I honestly believe artists don’t stand much chance. And I’ve been saying this since the days of Facebook (yes, I’m a dinosaur!).

‍

What’s been your biggest success to date in your job?

‍Success is subjective, isn’t it? What may seem significant to me might not appear that way to someone else. That said, I’ve experienced moments where a terrible situation (think trending on Twitter—for all the wrong reasons) turned around to become front-page news for setting an example of open-mindedness, tolerance and love in a country.

Another highlight was achieving the highest-ever official national radio chart ranking for the Black Eyed Peas in Germany in 2022.

‍

How did you get started in the music industry? Was it easy?‍

It happened completely by chance! I was helping a friend pick up a German DJ from the airport in my very, very very used Opel Corsa (4th-hand car). Honestly, though, I already felt part of the music world when I was 17, raving 4 nights a week in Munich (instead of going to German-school).

‍

What abilities did you learn early in your career that you still use today?

‍Thinking outside the box. Taking the time to see the bigger picture. Understanding numbers by comparing them. Knowing how to communicate respectfully with people all around the world. And probably most importantly: attention to detail.

‍

What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting into music management?

‍Don’t - don’t - don’t !!! Hahaha, just kidding. First, I should clarify that I’m not a manager in the traditional sense. Not anymore. For the Black Eyed Peas, Polo and Seth are the managers. I’m part of the management team.

Let me explain: I focus on strategy, thinking creatively, marketing, trend assessment, and business analysis—I get to do the fun stuff! There are other parts of management I don’t handle because I choose not to. But that’s a story for another time.

The music world is a big place with many different parts. There’s management, of course, but there are also music labels, publishers, PR agents, and booking agents, and the list goes on. My advice would be to understand your strengths and what you enjoy (and don’t enjoy). Ideally, try interning at a management company, music label, or PR agency to figure out what suits you best. Are you an artistic person or a factual and rational person? Go to music conferences and see if you can maybe find a mentor to help you understand what you like and don’t like. I mentor an amazing young man, and we hop on Zoom calls every month to discuss his progress—it’s incredible. I know many music professionals who do the same.

If you are factual/rational, as I mentioned, I’m into numbers and data, and the industry is increasingly moving in that direction. Start by doing your own research. Look at the big picture—take your favourite band, DJ, or singer and analyse their numbers on social media or DSPs. See which songs stream more than others, monitor growth rates on socials or DSPs, and try to understand why certain things happen. Developing this kind of insight will be invaluable, and when you get your internship, you’ll already have an opinion and can gain more elaborate explanations from the professionals.

‍

Is there one piece of advice you wish someone had told you early on?

‍It’s hard to say because when I started, things were so different. The music industry was a very male-dominated world, and during music conferences, women were almost nonexistent. Plus, it was the dawn of the digital era. CDs were still a thing, and Facebook didn’t even exist yet!

And to answer the question honestly—I probably wouldn’t have taken the advice anyway! I would have done what I ended up doing regardless. I don’t think I have regrets; I have experiences, whether they were positive or negative. They’ve shaped me into who I am today, and for that, I’m very thankful.

‍

Finally, how much joy does your job bring you?

‍Well, I think I’ve already covered that! But here’s a little story: early in my career, finances weren’t always easy, and self-doubt often crept in because I was doing something completely different from my friends, who all had “normal” corporate jobs. Even my mother was saying to “stop being an artist and get a real job”. I wasn’t an artist I was a booker, promoter etc but my mother was not understanding what I was doing.

At one point, my goddaughter asked why I wasn’t going on holidays like everyone else. I told her I’d probably go the following year. My best friend overheard and said to her seven-year-old daughter, “You know, Auntie doesn’t need holidays. She’s on holiday all year round. Her job isn’t like mine or your dad’s. Auntie Rachel works for fun—she’s the only person I know who does that!”

That moment brought me to tears. It made me realize that yes, I was on the right path, and who cares what others think? What I was doing truly made me happy! My friend was absolutely right to point it out in such a simple yet profound way. Thanks Elena - I love you for that!

‍

Find Rachel Strassberger on her personal Instagram and her professional Account

‍