KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark Cards Inc. announced the CEO of Hallmark Channel's parent company, Bill Abbott of Crown Media, is leaving the company.
"I want to thank Bill for his many years of success and contributions to Crown Media and wish him continued success," Mike Perry, the president of Hallmark Cards, Inc. said. “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."
According to their statement, Abbot was with Crown Media for 11 years.
Crown Media has not listed an official reason for Abbott's departure.
The announcement comes two weeks after Hallmark, a Kansas City, Missouri-based company, said it plans to lay off 325 local employees.
The cuts are expected in the company’s greeting card and retail businesses, as well as in corporate support functions.
The company also has come under fire over airing an ad featuring a lesbian couple on the Hallmark Channel.
At first the company pulled the ad after receiving complaints, but they then put it back on air after backlash from LGBTQ groups.
