Recording Academy president Neil Portnow will continue his leadership of the organization for four more years with the additional title of CEO.
The academy’s board of trustees is set to announce today that it has promoted Portnow to president and CEO and renewed his contract through 2011. The promotion comes as the organization prepares to celebrate the Grammys’ 50th anniversary in 2008. In addition to the awards telecast Feb. 8 on CBS, the network will air a two-hour primetime anniversary special. Also in the works is the opening of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles in September 2008.
Portnow has held the Recording Academy presidency since 2002. During that time, he created the organization’s first marketing department to increase corporate sponsorships and extended the Grammy telecast agreement with CBS through 2011. He also launched the “What’s the Download?” education campaign against illegal downloading and established the MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund in the wake of Katrina, among other initiatives.
Before taking the helm at the Recording Academy, the veteran music industry executive was senior vp West Coast operations for the Zomba Group.
Ayala Ben-Yehuda is a correspondent for Billboard.
