by Jamison Ashley
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Diane Nelson, president of DC Entertainment Warner Bros Consumer Products since 2009, who has been on a leave of absence since the end of March, has officially exited the studio.
Back in April, the Hollywood Reporter was saying that Ms. Nelson was taking a leave of absence Nelson had reportedly experienced some personal problems and wanted to shift her focus on “new priorities” for herself and her family.
Looks like that focus has fully shifted for her as Warners confirmed the exit news with a memo sent to staff from chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara:
Dear Colleagues:
I wanted to let you know that Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment and President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, who took a leave of absence at the end of March, has decided to step away from her executive duties here at the Studio. Attached is the press release that will be issued this morning.
Diane has been a friend and colleague as well as a valued member of the Warner Bros. family for more than 20 years. While we’re sad she’ll be leaving us, we completely respect and support her decision.
As previously announced, the DC Executive Management team will continue to report to Thomas Gewecke in the interim, and Pam Lifford will now report directly to me.
Please join us in wishing Diane all the best.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Diane Nelson took the lead role of DC Entertainment in 2009, spearheading the development of the DC Universe of movies and WB TV’s now 11 scripted shows based on DC properties. Before that position, Nelson served as president and chief content officer of Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment.
Diane also sent out her own memo to members of the DC creative teams:
Dear DC Talent Team,
In the last nine years, DC has become the premiere destination for top creative talent and a company that develops and fosters new talent. I am incredibly proud of this achievement and know that DC is set up for a very bright future.
As you will be hearing, I have made the extremely tough decision to not return to DC. One of my fondest memories will be working to create a talent-friendly company that ensured top writers and artists wanted to work at DC, and cultivating an environment that allowed creative talent to do their very best work.
DC is a different company with a different culture than when I joined nearly a decade ago. Rebuilding and managing DC Entertainment has been a highlight and a privilege. I am proud to leave DC stronger than when I joined it.
I will miss you all greatly, but please know that I am still in the wings cheering you on to tell the very best stories with the very best characters in the world. I am leaving you in excellent hands with the executive team that is still there to support you and the company’s vision.
You are the creative cornerstone of the company, and I could not care more or wish for more success from this wildly talented pool of creators.
Please keep in touch.
Best,
Diane
This is a good move for DC since it’s this writer’s opinion that the DC movie universe (not counting Wonder Woman), was by every conceivable measure, an abject failure. She helmed the move of DC Comics from the NYC to the Burbank, CA. She also oversaw the New 52, which was such a failure it had to be aborted.Ms. Nelson failed DC and has made things worse for the comics publisher. Only small portions of the television universe have proven to be any good.
Curiously, this isn’t the only high-profile woman at Warner to be shown the door in 2018. In May, Warner Bros. Pictures executive Veronika Kwan Vandenberg stepped down as president of international distribution, and is scheduled to be completely out by December. Vandenberg is a veteran of WB for almost 30 years. Additionally, Sue Kroll, who joined Warner Bros in 1994 and has held the post of President of Worldwide Marketing since 2008, was demoted to a producer role on the lot this past January.
What will DC Entertainment do to keep this from looking like they’re anti-woman? Stay tuned.
