CEDIA Appoints Grammy Awards Executive as Global President & CEO
Daryl Friedman has spent decades in nonprofit leadership roles, having overseen membership, other responsibilities for the Recording Academy.
Daryl Friedman
FISHERS, Ind. — CEDIA, the global trade association for the home technology industry, has named Daryl Friedman as global president and CEO. He will assume the role on Nov. 29.
Friedman has spent more than 30 years in nonprofit leadership roles, having overseen membership, advocacy, industry relations and the technical wing for the 25,000-member Recording Academy. The Academy, known globally for the Grammy Awards, is the association representing technical and creative professionals in music.
“We’ve found someone that I am confident will be the step-change in leadership that CEDIA needs and deserves,” says Jamie Briesemeister, CEDIA board and executive search committee member. “Daryl has decades of experience in trade association leadership and member advocacy. He exudes a humble nature that draws conversation and consensus, and he deeply values technical expertise and artistry. Daryl has a vision for what CEDIA can be — and will be — and he has the experience to realize it.”
Friedman’s selection concludes a lengthy and deliberate search led by Vetted Solutions. The process entailed multiple rounds of interviews and exercises, including one final meeting where the candidate questioned the search committee, asking candid questions about the role and expectations.
“Having represented audio professionals for most of my career, I’ve long admired CEDIA for championing immersive audio experiences in the home,” says Friedman. “Now, as our homes become the hub for work, education, entertainment, and wellness, CEDIA members are the indispensable partners for making our homes more comfortable and connected. This is truly CEDIA’s moment, and I am honored to join the team at this exciting time.”
Friedman has successfully advocated for legislation providing assistance to the recording community during the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting the rights of creators in the streaming era, earning the title of “the music creators’ man in Washington” from Billboard.
He also conceived and grew Grammys on the Hill, an annual advocacy program attended by both congressional and music industry leaders. He has worked to grow and modernize the Academy’s membership, leading initiatives to update recruitment practices to reflect the industry’s diversity.
Friedman’s interest in technology was reinforced by his close work with the Academy’s Producers and Engineers Wing. A key advisor to the Wing’s leadership of technologists and manufacturers, he visited studios across the country and spoke frequently about the need to protect the rights of those who use their technological skills to improve people’s lives.
In 2014, the Wing endorsed CEDIA’s High Resolution Audio Training Program for Home Technology Professionals. Later, Friedman and the Wing led the effort to pass the Allocation for Music Producers (AMP) Act, federal legislation that protects the livelihood of the technical wing’s members.
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
