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January 22, 2020

Hallmark Announces Management Changes at Crown Media Family Networks

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Jan. 22, 2020) – Hallmark Cards, Inc. today announced management changes at Crown Media Family Networks.

“After 11 years, Bill Abbott, president and CEO of Crown Media is leaving the company,” said Mike Perry, president and CEO of Hallmark Cards, Inc. “I want to thank Bill for his many years of success and contributions to Crown Media and wish him continued success.”

Crown Media has experienced tremendous growth in recent years with a growing portfolio of entertainment brands including linear networks Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama, in addition to subscription video on demand service Hallmark Movies Now and e-book publishing division Hallmark Publishing During the 2019 holiday season, flagship network Hallmark Channel dominated cable television reaching more than 1.7 million overall viewers during primetime hours between December 16-22 according to Nielsen Research.

“In a time when there is immense competition among television networks and streaming services, it is more important than ever that we find relevant new ways to grow our business and continue to produce high quality programming that resonates with our growing audience,” Perry said.

The Crown Media team established Hallmark Channel as the leading destination for quality, family-friendly entertainment on cable. Building on its signature slate of original movies, the team is responsible for significantly expanding and diversifying the network’s lineup of original content to primetime scripted series such as When Calls the Heart and the very popular Countdown to Christmas and daytime Emmy®-nominated lifestyle program Home & Family.

“I have tremendous confidence in the Crown Media management team and with this team in place, I will begin a search for Bill’s replacement,” said Perry.

Media Contacts

Molly Biwer
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications
o 816-274-3910
c 816-510-9985

molly.biwer@hallmark.com

About Hallmark

About Hallmark

For more than 100 years, family-owned Hallmark Cards, Inc. has been dedicated to creating a more emotionally connected world. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and employing more than 20,000 worldwide, the company operates a diversified portfolio of businesses. The Hallmark business designs and sells greeting cards, gifts, ornaments and gift packaging in more than 30 languages with distribution in nearly 100 countries and 100,000 rooftops worldwide, including a network of company-owned and independently-owned Hallmark Gold Crown stores in five countries. Hallmark Media is entertainment’s leading destination for feel-good content and operates three cable networks – Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, and Hallmark Family. Hallmark+, launched in 2024, is our streaming service and membership program delivering the very best of Hallmark all in one place, featuring a blend of all new, exclusive original series, movies, and other feel-good content plus monthly discounts and rewards for shopping at Hallmark retail stores and at Hallmark.com. Crown Center is a real estate development company that manages the 85-acre hotel, office, entertainment and residential campus surrounding Hallmark’s headquarters. Crayola® offers a wide range of art materials and creative play toys designed to spark children’s creativity around the globe. For more information, visit Hallmark.com. Connect on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn.