Sean Smith
Sean Smith

Sean Smith is leaving the EVP of corporate counsel spot at Porter Novelli to join the Recording Academy, which runs the GRAMMY Awards, as EVP of communications, effective Oct. 25.

At Porter Novelli, Smith developed and led corporate reputation campaigns and managed issues for brands that included the Recording Academy.

He served as assistant secretary for public affairs at the United States Department of Homeland Security during the Obama administration, managing all aspects of the department's brand and reputation. Before that, he worked as spokesman for Obama for America during the 2008 campaign.

In his new post, Smith will work to develop the Academy's communication strategy and contribute to the strategic planning process for the organization. He will also lead corporate communications, event and entertainment public relations, brand reputation, and crisis mitigation and management.

The Recording Academy has also promoted Andie Cox to VP of communications. Cox has been with Academy in 2014, most recently serving as managing director of communications, where she led communications campaigns for the Academy's first-ever Black Music Collective and its partnership with Color Of Change.