This article is about the American business executive. For the Canadian curler, see Diane Nelson. For the American short story writer, see Dianne Nelson.
After working at Foote, Cone & Belding,[2] Nelson served as Director of National Promotions for Walt Disney Records and moved to Warner Bros. in 1996,[3] where she oversaw the cross-company brand management of the Harry Potter property.[4] She became the executive vice president, Global Brand Management in May 2004.[5]
In September 2009, Warner Bros. announced that DC Comics would become a subsidiary of DC Entertainment, Inc. and Nelson would serve as President of the new division.[6] Nelson reported to Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group.[7] She appointed Jim Lee and Dan DiDio as Co-Publishers of DC Comics and Geoff Johns as chief creative officer on February 18, 2010.[8][9]
After Kevin Tsujihara became chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, he promoted Nelson to the post of chief content officer of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.[10] In 2013, Nelson detailed some of the future film plans for DC properties and stated that a Sandman film will be "as rich as the Harry Potter universe."[11] Later that year, Nelson announced the decision to relocate DC's offices from New York City to Burbank, California.[12] She explained that "it was never optimal to run any business, but certainly not a creative business, on two coasts."[13]
At a 2014 Time Warner shareholders meeting, Nelson addressed the need for greater visibility of female characters and creators in DC's comics and film and television projects.[14] Earlier in the year, Nelson had described Wonder Woman as her favorite character, stating "I would be lying if I didn’t admit that Wonder Woman has an affinity for me...She’s an incredibly strong representative woman. So when I think about women in business and that balance between compassion and being a warrior, there’s just a lot in the character that really resonates for me."[15]
In August 2015, Nelson was given oversight over Warner Bros Consumer Products. Warner Bros CEO Kevin Tsujihara stated "Diane's background, which includes a great balance of business, creative and marketing, will help us bring fans exciting news ways to enjoy all of Warner Bros.’ great entertainment properties through wide-reaching, innovative consumer products experiences."[16]
After a leave of absence starting in March 2018, Nelson resigned as DC Entertainment president.[17]
Humanitarian work
Nelson oversees the "We Can Be Heroes" campaign[18] which has raised more than $2.3 million as of 2013 for hunger and drought relief in the Horn of Africa.[19] She serves on the board of directors for "There With Care", a nonprofit organization that supports families with children affected by critical illness.[20]
Nelson, Wonder Woman actresses Gal Gadot and Lynda Carter, Wonder Woman (2017) director Patty Jenkins and U.N. Under-Secretary General Cristina Gallach appeared at the United Nations in October 2016, the 75th anniversary of the first appearance of Wonder Woman, to mark the character's designation by the United Nations as its "Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls".[21][22] The gesture was intended to raise awareness of UN Sustainable Development Goal #5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.[21][22]
Awards and honors
In December 2013, The Hollywood Reporter ranked Nelson as #39 on its "2013 Women in Entertainment Power 100" list.[23] In July 2017, Nelson was awarded the Arents Award which is Syracuse University's highest alumni honor.[24]
^Cowsill, Alan (2010). "2000s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 293. ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9. By the end of the decade, the company had restructured, gaining a new name – DC Entertainment – a new president – Diane Nelson – and giving top talent more power.
^Levitz "The Modern Age 1998–2010", p. 646: "The history of Nelson's tenure as steward of DC's proud legacy has just begun but her first move was to name a trio of familiar names as her key creative executives."
^Littleton, Cynthia (May 15, 2013). "Kevin Tsujihara Realigns Management of WB's TV, Home Entertainment Units". Variety. Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. DC Entertainment prexy Diane Nelson adds oversight of the WB Interactive Entertainment unit overseeing its vidgame biz. She'll now have dual report to Tsujihara and motion picture group topper Jeff Robinov.
^"Justice League Fights African Hunger Crisis in DC's 'We Can Be Heroes' Campaign". Comic Book Resources. January 23, 2012. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. I'm proud and grateful we're able to harness the power and standing of the DC Comics brand and iconic characters as well as for the support from both Warner Bros. and Time Warner that has allowed us to pursue this unprecedented initiative.
