BIZ Who Is - The Grammy's Neil Portnow - September 2007

Simon F

by James Loving and Business Wire

Among his new ideas Portnow created and integrated "My GRAMMY Moment" on the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards — the first-ever interactive creative segment on the GRAMMY Awards telecast

Saturday September 29, 2007

This month the Board of Trustees of The Recording Academy promoted Neil Portnow to President/CEO of The Recording Academy and extended his contract through 2011, it was announced Sep. 6th by Chair of the Board Jimmy Jam. Portnow has been President of the nonprofit music membership organization since December 2002.

"Neil possesses the key qualities of a great leader: vision, humility, compassion, extensive experience in all aspects of the music industry, and a collaborative spirit," said Jam. "As a member and volunteer leader of The Academy for more than 25 years, he has a unique understanding of the needs of our constituents and how best to serve them. He has made great strides in increasing the scope of programs and initiatives we offer regionally and nationally, thereby advancing The Academy's profile and furthering its mission. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Neil, especially during this next year as The Academy and the GRAMMY Awards celebrate 50 golden years and look toward the next 50."

"It is a real privilege and a true honor for me to have the confidence and support of our Board to continue steering and guiding the fine and vital work of this Academy into the future," said Portnow. "Along with our extraordinary staff and elected leaders, I have high expectations and goals for the level of excellence and achievement that can be accomplished with a spirit of collaboration and vision for the betterment of our creative community."

Under Portnow's leadership for the past four-and-a-half years, The Academy has:

* Extended the organization's mission and brand identity into the marketplace with the creation of The Academy's first-ever marketing department (which has developed a record level of corporate sponsorships and partnerships, redesigned and introduced a new corporate logo, and created and implemented the "My GRAMMY" marketing campaign)

* Extended The Academy's licensing arrangement with CBS to keep the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast on the network through 2011

* Created and integrated "My GRAMMY Moment" on the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards — the first-ever interactive creative segment on the GRAMMY Awards telecast

* Garnered a dramatic ratings increase and multiple Emmy nominations for the 45th and 49th GRAMMY Awards

* Collaborated with the major record labels on the successful annual GRAMMY Nominees CD releases, which enjoyed record sales and chart positions this past year

* Initiated plans to open the GRAMMY Museum in September 2008, in partnership with AEG

* Identified and developed the Four Pillars of the organization — Membership/Awards, Music Education, Philanthropy & Charity, Advocacy Membership/Awards

* Revitalized and expanded its Producers & Engineers Wing, as well as local Chapter activities and events

* Launched the GRAMMY University Network (created to give music students and students interested in a career in music access to programs, panels, performance opportunities, leaders in the music industry, as well as other benefits) Music Education

* Launched and executed a three-year public education awareness campaign on illegal downloading (What's The Download)

* Developed and enhanced GRAMMY Camp (a 17-day interactive residential summer music experience for music students that focuses on all aspects of commercial music), along with other GRAMMY in the Schools programs

Philanthropy & Charity

* Acquired the Musicians Assistance Program and merged its services with those of the MusiCares Foundation, providing even greater resources to aid musicians in need of financial, medical and critical assistance

* Established the MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund with an initial $1 million commitment within days of the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Katrina, providing immediate and crucial assistance to music industry professionals in the Gulf Coast region impacted by the disaster (All told, the Hurricane Relief Fund has provided more than $4 million in financial assistance to nearly 4,000 individuals directly affected by the disasters.)

* Successfully developed the GRAMMY Foundation's signature event, Starry Night (with a record $1 million raised in only its second year), as well as achieved record-breaking attendance and revenues for the MusiCares Person of the Year and MAP events

Advocacy

* Increased its advocacy outreach by establishing an Advocacy & Government Relations department (utilizing the organization's resources to advance the rights of artists through advocacy, education and dialogue), hired a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. (to assist with legislative initiatives and lobbying efforts), and hosted GRAMMY Town Hall and GRAMMY Industry Roundtable meetings (a series of high-level discussions with music industry leaders tackling important issues and the industry's most challenging topics)

* Created Recording Arts Day as a companion to the esteemed GRAMMYs on the Hill event, both of which represent the most significant and unified music industry presence in Washington D.C.

* Developed and implemented the first-ever CEO Summit Meeting, now a semi-annual gathering that includes leadership representation from every music industry organization

* Hosted the first-ever Music Industry/Technology Summit meeting, bringing together executives from the music and technology sectors to work in harmony in an effort to grow both businesses.

Additionally, Portnow will continue to lead the charge as The Academy rolls out plans for its celebration of the organization and its milestone 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which will air live on CBS from Los Angeles' STAPLES Center on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Activities for music fans and the music industry include a two-hour, prime-time 50th Anniversary Special on CBS, a retrospective illustrated coffee table book, the GRAMMY Brand fashion and merchandising collection, and the GRAMMY Museum.

Portnow will continue to serve as the lead executive of The Recording Academy, working closely 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 (the GRAMMY Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, The Latin Recording Academy, MusiCares, the GRAMMY Foundation, the GRAMMY Museum, Member Services, the Producers & Engineers Wing, and other programs).

Additionally, he will continue to represent The Academy to its many constituents and partners; serve as a trusted and important industry leader on issues relating to the music industry — including participation in national caucuses, seminars and similar events; and service/counsel to key domestic and international industry-related organizations. In keeping with The Academy's position as an advocate for its constituents, Portnow will develop and manage strategic advocacy positions at the national, state and local levels — both governmental and within music and its related industries.

Portnow has served The Academy as a volunteer leader in a variety of roles, both locally and nationally, for more than 25 years. He was Senior Vice President of West Coast Operations for the Zomba Group of Companies, responsible for the overall vision and direction of Zomba's businesses on the West Coast, including sales and marketing, corporate and talent acquisitions, and management of all of Zomba's creative talent, the Film and Television Music Division, Zomba Music Services, Segue Music, and Ingenuity Entertainment. Prior to Zomba, he was Vice President of A&R at EMI America Records; Vice President/General Manager West Coast Arista Records; and President, Twentieth Century Fox Records.

In 2003, he was honored with City of Hope's Spirit of Life Award, the highest philanthropic honor bestowed upon an individual by the world-renowned cancer treatment and research center. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from George Washington University.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the pre-eminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music

The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.