Advocacy Team
Daryl P. Friedman
Chief Advocacy & Industry Relations Officer
Called "the D.C. chief for music's creative community" by Variety, Daryl Friedman serves as the Washington representative for the 20,000 members of The Recording Academy and as the liaison to relevant music industry organizations.
Friedman joined The Academy in 1997 and established the organization's Washington office. He initiated and oversees the Academy's GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative, which includes a number of programs to advance the rights of the music community through advocacy, education and dialogue. He speaks on numerous music policy panels each year and has been quoted in media such as The New York Times, Business Week, BBC World News, Variety, Billboard and The Washington Post.
A music industry professional for nearly 30 years, Friedman previously directed external affairs for the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. In 2000 Friedman was named Executive of the Year by the Washington Area Music Association. He serves on the board for the National Music Council, is a member of the Music Education Policy Roundtable, and was an original board member for SoundExchange. Friedman received his M.A. in Arts Management from the American University in Washington, D.C., and his B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Todd Dupler
Director Of Government Relations
With more than a decade of experience in Washington, D.C., Todd Dupler has extensive knowledge of Capitol Hill and the legislative process. He previously served as legislative director for Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) during Smith's tenure as chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property. In this role, Dupler helped facilitate negotiations to reform copyright law and was a liaison to stakeholders in the creative industries
Dupler also served on the legislative staff for Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas). In addition, he was a Presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Labor and also has experience in state government. Dupler received his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science from Baylor University. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas.
Crystal S. Hypolite
Executive Assistant, Advocacy & Industry Relations
Crystal Hypolite joined The Recording Academy after working on Capitol Hill for several years. She served as executive assistant to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and, prior to that, as Special Assistant to Rep. Donald M. Payne (D–N.J.). Hypolite is a graduate of Rutgers University with a B.A. in political science.
With her numerous years of experience in legal, campaign and legislative environments, Hypolite is perfectly suited to help manage The Academy's ever-growing advocacy and industry relations activities. She will continue to establish relationships on Capitol Hill and throughout the industry as she manages GRAMMYs on the Hill events. In addition, Hypolite will continue to monitor and track legislation for The Academy as she continues to work diligently to advocate on behalf of the music community.
Diane Blagman
Senior Director of Governmental Affairs, Greenberg Traurig
Diane Blagman is the senior director of governmental affairs in the Washington, D.C. office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig. She presently represents major municipalities, corporations, public entities, and major entertainment clients and provides strategic political, legislative and regulatory assistance before Congress and federal agencies. Notable clients include The Recording Academy, MusiCares, GRAMMY Foundation, SESAC, and the New York Philharmonic. She joined Greenberg Traurig in 1994.
With nearly two decades of experience on Capitol Hill, Blagman has worked for a number of congressmen and served as chief of staff to a senior member of Congress. She previously served on the staff for the House Appropriations Committee and during this time she was the liaison to the chairman of the Congressional Arts Caucus, which was established to support increased funding for arts and music programs in the United States and to advocate for legislation that protects the arts community. She drafted and worked on congressional passage of legislation that including Live Aid Day, Gospel Music Month and the 50th anniversary of The Recording Academy. Additional legislative efforts she has been involved in include protecting artist's rights during the debate on FCC's fines for indecency, music preservation, and copyright and intellectual property issues.
Blagman has worked extensively on a number of projects and events that combine music with social and political activism, including Live Aid, Live 8 and Live Earth, and the Concert for 9/11.
Most recently, she helped coordinate voter registration and mobilization efforts through the Change Rocks concert for the Obama presidential campaign. She has also worked on a number of presidential and congressional campaigns and previous Democratic conventions.
She is a board member of HeadCount, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting participation in democracy through the power of music which has registered more than 150,000 voters.
Blagman is a Governor and Secretary for The Recording Academy Washington, D.C. Chapter. She earned her B.A. and M.A. from George Washington University.
