Paul Harries – Lucy Dickins

On The Rewards Of Being An Agent

If ever proof was required that apples don’t fall far from trees, the Dickins family embodies it. Lucy Dickins, co-head of WME’s music department, is part of the dynasty’s third generation. When she left ITB, the agency her father co-founded, two years ago to head WME’s music division in the UK, it was partly to prove that she wasn’t expecting any handouts based on her imposing family name. It took only a year for her to be promoted to head of WME’s music department alongside Kirk Sommer in L.A. and Scott Clayton in Nashville – just in time to help navigate the biggest challenge this business has ever faced.

Says Dickins, “During a period of enormous turmoil fueled by the pandemic, I’m proud of the way this team has successfully steered the global music team, attracting new clients, recruiting high-profile agents and securing non-traditional crossover opportunities,” on top of becoming “experts in livestreaming.” Throughout 2020, WME’s new Virtual Appearances division organized hundreds of hard-ticket virtual events for clients including Lindsey Stirling, Dawes, The Revivalists, Third Eye Blind, Ingrid Andress and Dua Lipa, whose “Studio 2054” livestream seen by 5 million people in November shattered attendance records for paid livestreams.

“Communication has been key,” in motivating and leading WME’s music team while adapting to the virtual world, says Dickins. “We have regular catch-ups and meetings, our information flow has been second-to-none. The camaraderie at WME is at an all-time high. It’s wonderful to work alongside people that have your back and are willing to lean in and support you at any given moment.”

Beyond inclusivity, which Dickins talked about at length when Pollstar interviewed her for her Women of Live honor earlier this year, sustainability remains “pivotal” for WME, which is investing in in-depth research around new green initiatives and projects that could help clients with future touring plans. “To make this possible we’ve set up a WME Sustainability Task Force who are working on just that. They are putting together resources, reading lists, recommended go-to organizations for colleagues and clients to explore whilst also making our company more aware of sustainability across the entertainment industry with upcoming talks with guest speakers and how to bring these sustainability initiatives internal,” Dickins explains.

She first felt the impact she could have as an agent when selling out the legendary, now extinct, Astoria in London with Hot Chip some 16 years ago. Dickins helped grow Mumford & Sons from a grassroots venue to a stadium act, just like she did for Adele. To this day, she considers her biggest accomplishment “the ability to watch my artists grow from signing them at young ages to seeing their careers go from strength to strength. Being a part of their career paths is such a rewarding part of being an agent.” 

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