Hugo Hilaire – A Foundational Experience in Talent Management
Context
This journey began with friendship. I saw Hugo (@HugoHilaire) start dancing and sharing content on social media. As his visibility began to grow, I immediately connected it to my own career goal of becoming an artist manager. Supporting him felt natural. It was the right time, the right person, and the right energy. I started guiding him from the very beginning of his digital career by offering structure, strategy, and encouragement.
My Approach
My role was to provide holistic support, both creative and operational.
Created his self-employed (auto-entrepreneur) status
Managed administrative and daily operations
Brought in key brand partners and collaborators
Organized photoshoots and creative partnerships
Negotiated commercial deals and sponsorships
Suggested artistic direction and digital strategies
Secured a partnership with Atyr, a strategic agency to grow his collaborations
Beyond management, I was a close advisor. I helped him shape his image, refine his positioning, and supported him during major events like SDM’s gold record ceremony, the Fanta Fun Awards, the Olympic Games, and several influencer gatherings.
A Talent-Centric Vision
My goal was to support growth while respecting his identity. I wanted to create a professional environment that allowed creative freedom while offering structure and long-term clarity. I stayed present, proactive, and focused not only on deals, but also on energy, rhythm, and progression.
Challenges and Solutions
The challenge was clear: support a rising talent without a predefined roadmap or team. I tackled this by offering structure from scratch, bringing consistency to content and communication, and opening the door to scalable opportunities. One of the turning points was securing the collaboration with Atyr, allowing Hugo to step into a new phase with greater resources and visibility.
An Evolving Role
Today, I no longer manage Hugo on a daily basis due to my professional commitments with Kinoba. He is now represented by Atyr and manages much of his career independently. However, I still provide occasional support and strategic input when needed. Our strong friendship has grown even deeper thanks to this shared experience.
Conclusion
This journey with Hugo confirmed that talent management, when approached with care, clarity, and trust, is both meaningful and fulfilling. It gave me real experience in supporting an artist’s growth and reinforced my desire to build and guide future talents with the same level of commitment.
