Neil Portnow | Berklee Commencement Address 2017
3,433 views · Published 18 May 2017 · 4:04 · Indexed 1 November 2026
Channel: Berklee College of Music · 2017 · Music
Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, addresses the class of 2017 at Berklee's graduation. Portnow reflects on his numerous career achievements, such as presenting a Grammy Award to former President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. More information: https://www.berklee.edu/news/honorary-doctorates-lionel-richie-lucinda-williams-todd-rundgren-neil-portnow-and-shin-joong-hyun Subscribe: http://bit.ly/1MjVyEN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berkleecollege Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/berkleecollege Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkleecollege Site: https://www.berklee.edu During the course of his career, Neil Portnow has been a leading figure in the music and recording industry, liaising with music makers, corporate executives, political figures, and worldwide brands. He has served as president of the Recording Academy since 2002, and was named president/CEO in 2007. Some of Portnow's most notable achievements include testifying before Congress to protect the rights of creators; ensuring that the music community has a safe place to turn in times of need through the Academy's MusiCares charity; advocating for the arts and developing programs for music education in schools; and conducting industry outreach in order to constantly increase awareness of and accessibility to the Grammy Awards process. He has worked tirelessly to enhance the organization's overall mission of improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Under his leadership, the annual Grammy Awards telecast has enjoyed stellar ratings, making it one of the industry’s most coveted awards shows.
