Breaking: WME Contemporary Music Head Lucy Dickins Steps Down

WME global head of contemporary music and touring Lucy Dickins is leaving the agency, according to an internal memo shared today (March 6) with Pollstar, which notes that Kirk Sommer will 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,” reads a memo from WME co-chairman Christian Muirhead. “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.”

The memo continues, “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.”   

WME Names Lucy Dickins Global Head of Contemporary Music And Touring

Dickins joined WME in 2019, leaving International Talent Booking, the longstanding agency started by her father, Barry. She began her WME stint running the agency’s London office. During the pandemic, she spearheaded WME’s Virtual Appearances Group, creating ticketed virtual events at a time when in-person shows were put on hold.

She was promoted to global head of contemporary music and touring in 2022, after which she relocated to Los Angeles. That announcement followed the departure of then-partner and worldwide head of music Marc Geiger, who left WME in 2020 to start what is now Gate 52. Following his departure, Dickins, Scott Clayton, Kirk Sommer were named co-heads with Clayton leaving WME for UTA in 2021. Sommer would later move from L.A. to New York and Dickins was named global head of contemporary music and touring.

WME, which is considered one of the top talent agencies, along with CAA, Wasserman, UTA and IAG, has an enviable roster with prominent music clients that include: Bruno Mars, Adele, Rhinanna, Shakira, Hozier, Sam Smith, Billie Eilish (who left Wasserman in August 2024), Weeknd, J. Balvin, Luke Combs, Tool, Pearl Jam, Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Backstreet Boys, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Benson Boone and Lola Young. Newer signings include Carin Leon, Anitta, Rosé, Sienna Spiro and Ejae.

Marc Geiger Exits WME; Clayton, Dickins, Sommer To Lead Music Division

Dickins is the scion of a British music industry dynasty, which began with her grandfather Percy, founder of the NME. Her father Barry formed ITB in 1978 with clients including Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Her uncle Rob was head of Warner Brothers and her brother Jonathan is a successful manager whose clients include Adele, who Lucy works closely with (including on her groundbreaking Munich pop-up stadiums shows). Along with her leadership role at the major agency, her clients as listed in Pollstar include superstar artists like Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, Shinedown and Linkin Park, most being represented worldwide.