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Recording Academy president/CEO Neil Portnow has been contracted to remain in his post through 2019. The Academy’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend Portnow’s contract, which was set to expire in 2015.
“Neil is a dynamic leader whose collaborative, inclusive spirit and extensive experience and relationships across all aspects of music and entertainment have delivered dramatic financial, cultural and philanthropic benefits to the Recording Academy and its constituents,” chair of the board Christine Albert said in a statement.
Portnow, who ranked No. 56 on Billboard‘s Power 100 earlier this year, will continue to work with the board of trustees and its chair, as well as the Academy’s senior management team to advance the organization’s goals and purpose, including the creative and strategic vision and the operations of the Academy and its related entities. He will also continue to represent the Academy on issues relating to the music industry, participate in national caucuses, and provide service/counsel to key domestic and international industry-related organizations.
Developing and managing strategic advocacy positions at the national, state and local levels in government and the music industry will also fall under his purview.
Portnow became president of the Academy in December 2002 and was promoted to president/CEO in September 2007. He is also president/CEO of MusiCares and the Grammy Foundation, chair of the board of the Grammy Museum, and a member of the board of trustees of the Latin Recording Academy.
In the last five years, the annual Grammy Awards telecast has been among the most watched live events on television with this year’s 55th annual show pulling more than 28 million viewers. Portnow negotiated a 10-year deal to keep the Grammys on CBS through 2021, while also extending the deal for the “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night” and adding new Grammy specials.
Portnow launched MusiCares’ 20th anniversary giving campaign, the first ever for the charity, and has overseen record-breaking attendance and revenues for the annual MusiCares Person of the Year and MAP events, plus the creation of the MusiCares Hurricane Sandy Relief fund. This year also saw the announcement of the first Music Educator Award.
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