Sources: Lucy Dickins, Ex-WME Music Head, Close To Signing Deal With CAA

According to three industry sources with knowledge of the situation, Lucy Dickins, WME’s former global head of contemporary music and touring, whose departure was announced today (March 6), is negotiating a deal to go to agency competitor CAA, though nothing has been officially announced.

Reps from WME and CAA either didn’t reply at press time or declined comment.

It is not clear how Dickins would fit into the CAA’s leadership structure with the agency announcing in June 2024 a major change with agents Emma Banks, Darryl Eaton and Rick Roskin assuming the newly-created positions of Co-Heads of Global Touring and longtime music head Rob Light elevated to Managing Director.

Breaking: WME Contemporary Music Head Lucy Dickins Steps Down

In a memo to WME staff today (March 6) announcing Dickins’ departure, agency co-chair Christian Muirhead said Kirk Sommer would continue to lead WME’s contemporary music division going forward:

“We wanted to share with everyone that our friend and colleague Lucy Dickins will be leaving WME,” Muirhead wrote. “Over the past seven years, Lucy helped us navigate one of the most disruptive periods in the live music business. As the head of our UK office, she re-energized our presence in London, built a strong team, and solidified WME’s leadership in the region. Then COVID hit and she dove right in, taking on her expanded role, relocating to Los Angeles, and providing critical support to our team during an unprecedented crisis. On the other side of the pandemic, she led major signings, constructed innovative tour models, and brought exceptional heart and enthusiasm to our business.  Kirk Sommer will continue to lead the Contemporary Music division moving forward, and we will keep you posted with further updates.”   

The news marks an especially turbulent time in the music agency business with Casey Wasserman announcing Feb. 13 that he was selling his agency following his appearance in the Epstein files, which had prompted many of the firm’s artists to refuse to work with the agency.

Pollstar will continue to update this story as it unfolds.