Amy Thurlow is leaving as president of Dick Clark Productions at the end of June, two months after an exclusive investigation by TheWrap into her workplace behavior that led to the departure of five senior executives earlier this year.
Thurlow’s exit ends a rocky 19-month tenure as DCP president that was marked by numerous complaints about her bruising and “toxic” management style. One insider described Thurlow as someone who was “very, very challenging” to work for, calling out a management style “that could be classified as toxic.”
TheWrap also reported that Thurlow was the subject of complaints about her drinking, abusive behavior and inappropriate language in a previous executive role as CFO of TV Guide Network from 2011 to 2014. (Through a DCP spokesperson, Thurlow declined to address the complaints.)
Thurlow joined DCP in 2014 and was elevated to president in November 2019. Her departure also comes as DCP is without a home for the 2022 Golden Globes, which were effectively canceled this spring when NBC dropped the awards show in the wake of the diversity issues at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
A search for a new DCP president will begin immediately, the company said.
“As some of you know, in addition to our work together, I have also been passionate about pursuing and achieving other professional opportunities. After getting through this year’s ACMs and BBMAs, it felt like the right time for me to do so,” Thurlow said in a note to staff.
In April, a spokeswoman had no comment on the allegations of a toxic culture but defended Thurlow’s management. “We know Amy Thurlow to be incredibly appreciative and supportive of all the efforts and hard work of her team in a particularly challenging year,” the spokesperson said. “As a new leader of the division, she has made changes and recently articulated goals and growth plans. It’s understandable that change is not for everyone.”
At last September’s Academy of Country Music Awards in Nashville, Thurlow created a “huge fuss” at the Opryland Hotel when she didn’t get the presidential suite, according to three individuals with knowledge of the incident. Her outburst made such waves that, according to one insider, the famed hotel had to consult the Academy of Country Music to find a solution. A spokeswoman for parent company MRC had no comment on this incident.
“Amy leaves behind an admirable seven-year record,” MRC co-owners Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu said. “Her tenure launched a consistent period of financial growth at DCP. Most recently, she led the team through the hardest year for live television since its creation. There is enormous opportunity ahead, and we look forward to seizing it with you. We have already begun our search for a new leader, and will leverage our quieter summer period to meet with candidates.”
In addition to the Golden Globes, DCP produces the Academy of Country Music Awards, the annual “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” “American Music Awards” as well as a pair of Nick Wallenda specials.
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