The GRAMMY Foundation® Names TV And Radio Host/Producer Ryan Seacrest Honorary Chair Of Board
GRAMMY Foundation® and The Recording Academy® Partner to Institute First Annual Music Educator Award
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The GRAMMY Foundation® — one of two affiliated charities of The Recording Academy® — announced today that Ryan Seacrest has been appointed Honorary Chair of the GRAMMY Foundation Board. The GRAMMY Foundation offers year-round music education programs for high school students and schools; and advancement, archiving and preservation, and grant-making programs to safeguard important collections and fund research at the intersection of music and science. Seacrest joins current GRAMMY Foundation Board Chairman and new venture backer Rusty Rueff; Vice Chair Tim Bucher, founder and CEO of TastingRoom.com and Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur; Secretary/Treasurer Geoff Cottrill, chief marketing officer of Converse; and Chair Emeritus Beatriz R. Perez, chief sustainability officer of the Coca-Cola Company, in leadership positions at the organization.
"I speak for all of the officers and directors of the GRAMMY Foundation in wholeheartedly welcoming Ryan to our Board," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation. "I've known Ryan personally and professionally for many years, and his energy, integrity and keen vision will bring an increased strength to our mission and programs."
"Contributing to the great work of the GRAMMY Foundation will be an honor and privilege, as music has forever been a powerful force in my life," said Seacrest. "It's truly exciting to join the Board and help launch the Music Educator Award, which will recognize one of America's greatest treasures: music teachers."
In recognition of the significant role of teachers in shaping their students' musical experiences, the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy are partnering to present the first Music Educator Award. Open to current U.S. music teachers kindergarten through college, the Music Educator Award will be awarded annually starting in 2014 during GRAMMY Week. The nomination process will launch online beginning Feb. 10 at www.grammymusicteacher.com and the deadline for submissions is April 15.
Seacrest holds preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, nationally syndicated radio and local radio as both an Emmy®-winning producer and host. He is celebrated internationally as host of the top-rated primetime talent showcase "American Idol" on Fox, serves as an executive producer and host of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest" on ABC, and has a groundbreaking agreement with NBCUniversal that includes on-air broadcasting and producing duties across the NBC and E! networks. On radio, Seacrest is host of "On Air With Ryan Seacrest," his market-topping No. 1 nationally syndicated Los Angeles morning drive-time show for Clear Channel's 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show.
He launched Ryan Seacrest Productions in 2006, which has since become an Emmy-winning television production powerhouse creating unscripted, scripted and digital programming. RSP produces the E! hit series "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" and spin-offs "Kourtney And Kim Take Miami" and "Khloe And Lamar." RSP is currently producing "Married To Jonas" on E! and "Shahs Of Sunset" on Bravo. The company also produced the Emmy Award-winning reality series "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution."
Seacrest is an investor in media and entertainment companies: he recently made an investment in Civic Entertainment Group, a marketing services company, as well as in the new cable channel, AXS TV. He has strategic partnerships with several blue-chip brands, including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Ford.
He is also chairman of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill and injured children through unique programs that utilize multimedia and interactive platforms. RSF is building broadcast media centers within hospitals for children to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. RSF has opened broadcast media centers in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Dallas.
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy®, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.grammyfoundation.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like "GRAMMY in the Schools®" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grammyintheschools, follow the GRAMMY Foundation on Twitter @GRAMMYFdn at www.twitter.com/GRAMMYFdn and join us on Instagram @GRAMMYFdn at www.instagram.com/GRAMMYfdn.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, 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 preeminent 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. 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. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
SOURCE The GRAMMY Foundation
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