As revealed via The Hollywood Reporter, following several months of leave, DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson will not be returning as president of Warner Bros. consumer products. After initially taking time off to focus on family-related issues, the 22-year veteran of the company recently decided not to resume her duties.
“Diane has been a friend and colleague as well as a valued member of the Warner Bros. family for more than 20 years. Throughout her tenure, her leadership and contributions have helped shape the way the studio operates today, and we’re better for having had her on our team. While we’re sad she’ll be leaving us, we completely respect and support her decision. Whatever her next chapter holds, I know she’ll make it amazing,” shared Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO Kevin Tsujihara.
During her time with Warner Bros., Nelson spearheaded the management of the giant franchise that is J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. Along with serving as president of Warner Premiere, she was also executive VP of global brand management for Warner Bros. Entertainment. At DC Entertainment, Nelson established partnerships with the movie, television, and video game divisions, helping them to align with Warner Bros. In addition to revitalizing the DC publishing unit, she oversaw the company’s move from New York to Burbank.
In partnership with Warner Bros. Television Group, she assisted DC in building an impressive lineup of shows, including the The CW’s Arrowverse, as well as the planned Pennyworth series on Epix and two others for the DC digital streaming service. It was also during Nelson’s tenure that Warners’ DC launched the record-breaking Wonder Woman film.
“Warner Bros. has been my home for over 20 years with a wide variety of incredible professional experiences,” said Nelson in a statement. “The last nine – rebuilding and managing DC Entertainment – have been a particular highlight and privilege. With the support and talents of our staff and creators, I am proud to leave DC even stronger than when I joined it. I will miss everyone – particularly my executive management team – without whom none of our achievements could have been realized. And I am excited to take on my next professional adventure.”
Thomas Gewecke now serves as chief digital officer and executive VP of strategy and business development at Warner Bros., overseeing the DC executive management team of Dan DiDio, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, and Amit Desai. Warner Bros. consumer products president Pam Lifford will now directly report to Tsujihara.
