A talent manager (also known as an artist manager, band manager, or music manager) is an individual who guides the professional career of artists within the entertainment industry. The responsibility of a talent manager is to oversee the day-to-day business affairs of an artist. This frequently involves how they advise and counsel talent concerning professional matters alongside the making of long-term plans and other personal decisions that may affect the entertainer's career.
An artist manager is also a person responsible for hiring and managing the employees in a company. Depending on the nature of the organization that the individual administers, they may play a comparatively active role in both the day-to-day lives of musicians as well as contribute in some fashion to recording related choices. For example, the British talent manager Brian Epstein received popular attention as a celebrity alongside his artists, which included the Beatles, and has been referred to as the "Fifth Beatle".