New WWE Network Shows Announced

In Miami, execs introduce shows but say little else about launch of network:

As WWE puts together plans to launch its WWE Network sometime this year, company execs had little to share about the channel at its annual business summit, on the eve of "WrestleMania 28," in Miami.

"We continue to evaluate the best approach" for launching the network, according to WWE chief marketing officer Michelle Wilson. That includes carriage deals that have yet to be revealed.

Still, execs did introduce new shows that will air on the channel.

Those include reality show "WWE Divas Tour Bus," "WWE WrestleMania Rewind," that revisits previous events, "WWE Countdown," and "WWE The Monday Night War: Raw vs Nitro."

Those will air alongside reality series "WWE Legend's House," with Rowdy Roddy Piper, Hillbilly Jim, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Tony Atlas, Pat Patterson, Howard Finkel, Mean Gene Okerlund and "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart.

Company has been looking for ways to package the 100,000 hours of footage in its library that have only aired once or have never been seen, according to Stephanie McMahon, WWE's exec VP of creative, at the summit.

Off the WWE Network, the company plans to produce a third series to air on a broadcaster, although no details were given of the hour-long show. It also will produce another hour-long series in Spanish that's aimed at Hispanic audiences.

source: variety.com

WWE Tubthumps TV Via YouTube

With YouTube doling out $100 million to content partners to create original programming for the site, many producers who landed that coin are still trying to figure out what to do with their new online real estate.

For WWE, the answer was simple: Use the WWE FanNation channel as a marketing tool to drive viewers back to its weekly TV shows and year-round slate of pay-per-views, while also building traffic for its own website, sales of toys, videogames, magazines and other merchandise.

In February, the company launched an initial slate of nine Web series featuring its talent. Shows like "WWE Inbox" and "Outside the Ring" have its wrestlers answer fan questions or reveal what their lives are like on the road. In "WWE Download," Dolph Ziggler sarcastically comments on YouTube videos, while "Foreign Exchange," is a comedic look at WWE hosted by Santino Morella.

"It's another outlet for our superstars, where they can further develop their on-air personalities," said WWE's chief marketing officer Michelle Wilson. At the same time, it "gives fans a different view of what happens backstage and lets them get to know our superstars better with a sense of humor."

YouTube already is seeing the amount of time users spend watching video on its sites growing considerably. In February, when WWE launched its channel, viewership rose 60% on YouTube, according to comScore, and channel subscriptions are up at least 50% since December...More?

source: variety.com

WWE Forging Ahead with Cable Network Plan

WWE continues to grapple with the challenge of developing its own cable television network, and the Stamford-based company says it is making headway toward entering a contract with a distributor.

"There will be a WWE network in some shape or form. We are in late-stage negotiations with distributors," said Michelle Wilson, chief marketing officer at WWE. "Getting a distribution agreement for a cable network is not easy."

She said the situation is far better than the one presented by the New York Post, which reported earlier this month that the company is behind schedule in its plans to launch the network on April 1, timed to coincide with Wrestlemania XXVIII in Miami.

There never was a deadline, according to Wilson, who said the company is hiring staff to operate the network.

"We've filled 30 positions so far specifically for the network. They come with cable experience at ESPN, Viacom, Discovery and Warner Brothers TV," said Wilson, who anticipates that up to 120 new employees will eventually be hired for the new network.

They have been busy producing and preparing programming, Wilson said, declining to predict when the new network will air.

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Several Notable WWE Office Departures and Office Changes

WWE made several office cuts on February 10th that are desrcibed as a "purge of senior licensing executives". Jim Connelly, one of WWE’s top executives, was released along with Florence DiGiorgio and Dean Miller.

Connelly, hired in 2009 and considered to be a major pick-up, worked as Senior Vice President of Consumer Products. Dean Miller worked under Connelly as the Senior Manager of Home Entertainment and Florence DiGiorgio, hired back in the 90′s, worked as WWE’s Senior Director of Global Licensing.

WWE’s official word on the departures is that they are re-organizing that department but the feeling was that Vince McMahon made the moves at the worst time – right before the big New York Toy Fair last week. At the Toy Fair, people from WWE’s Consumer Products division were awkwardly dancing around questions on who to contact within WWE for potential licensing deals. Within WWE, people have been surprised at the timing of gutting that department.

WWE headquarters is still in the process of undergoing major changes, with the office space being reorganized to reflect designated space for each department.

Joey Styles, who runs the WWE’s website, recently confirmed those reports when a fan asked him on Twitter if he works from home. Styles replied:

“I work in the newly renovated office space for TV Creative, Magazine and .com at WWE HQ.”

sources: wrestling observer newsletter & sports business daily

Interesting note...

A year ago, WWE held a Global Business Partners Summit and Vince McMahon announced that the compnay had formally rebranded itself - WWE. Of all the Executives that presented at the Summit, only Stephanie McMahon, Paul Levesque & Michelle Wilson are still with the company. The following was the line-up of speakers at last years Summit. Their current status is in bold:

The New WWE Initiative, Partnerships and TV Strategy (Michelle Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer) - Still CMO with the company

New Talent Development Program (Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Senior Advisor) - Currently EVP, Talent

WWE Studios (Mike Pavone, EVP, WWE Studios) - Left the company in August 2011 and was replaced by Michael Luisi

International Update (Andrew Whitaker, EVP, International) - Left the company in September 2011. The International division is now run by SVP & Managing Director, Dominic Hayes

Digital and Social Media Update (Brian Kalinowski, EVP, Digital) - Left the company in August 2011. This division has been absorbed under the Creative division and is run by Stephanie McMahon

Kids Initiative and New Product Launches (Jim Connelly, SVP, Consumer Products) - Left the company in February 2012.

Stephanie McMahon emceed the event and was listed as EVP, Creative Development & Operations. Her title has since been changed to EVP, Creative; however looking at her executive bio and reading her interview with Entertainment Weekly describing her work day, she sounds more like the Chief Operating Officer.

Interview with Stephanie McMahon: What Did You Do Today?

The 35-year-old WWE Executive VP of Creative oversees a multimedia sports entertainment empire that includes USA's Raw (Mondays at 9 p.m.) and Syfy's Smackdown (Fridays at 8 p.m). Here's how one of the most powerful women in cable filled a recent Wednesday:

8:30 a.m. Review emails about Tuesday night's taping of SmackDown
"I had to catch up on last night's show, and went back and forth with some of the writers about what worked, what didn't work, what deviated from the script, and why. I also get a Trendrr report about what reactions were like on social networks on the Web."

10:30 a.m. Merchandise approval
"My husband [WWE Superstar Triple H] and I always take two of our daughters to school in the morning, then the first big meeting was about merchandise to make sure they line up with where we're going creatively. For one T-shirt, we go through between 5 and 10 designs, work with the talent, then have it available in about two weeks. It's a quick turnaround."

11:30 a.m. Check in with WWE Studios President Michael Luisi about the feature films No One Lives and The Day.
"We're in post production right now on a hardcore horror film called "No One Lives," which stars Luke Evans form "Immortals." We also talked about our plan to go to Sundance to see what we can acquire."

12:30 p.m. Update on programming for WWE Network with Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson
"We're rolling out our own network in 2012. We're talking about a bunch of different programming ideas, but one that is already is pre-production is called "Legends House," which is a reality show that will put 8 to 10 Legends under one roof. Guys like [WWE pros] Roddy Piper, the Iron Sheik, and Dusty Rhodes. We want to make it the most interactive network in history. Even during a rerun of a show, there will be a live interactive component."

2:00 p.m. Writers meeting with Dad (and WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon)
"We have 16 writers, plus Vince. Today we talked about the Royal Rumble [which airs Jan. 29], and then we talked about WrestleMania. Vince--I always call him Vince when we're at work--is very open to listening and discussing different ideas, but once he makes his final decision, he's the boss."

3:30 p.m. One-on-one meeting with Vince
"Our one-on-one topic changes from week to week, and today it was about digital products. We've partnered with Youtube to launch original programming there, and we're also relaunching our website and introducing a new app."

4:30 p.m. Interview with EW

5:30 p.m. WrestleMania meeting
"My team talked about ways to get people engaged in our main event, which is the Rock against John Cena. We want fans to take sides and engage in virtual face-offs---think Team Edward versus Team Jacob."

6:30 p.m. Daily recap meeting with Director of Operations, Talent, Shawn Cogdill
"After going over the day's decisions and taking a look at ongoing issues, my husband and I left together at 7:15 p.m. Work didn't stop until about 10:30 p.m., though--that's when I was done reading scripts while doing cardio in my home gym."

source: entertainment weekly

Major Update on WWE Network

Sports Business Daily featured a piece today on the upcoming WWE Network, which will launch in 2012. Highlights from the article:

*WWE is telling potential partners that the network will launch in 40 million homes, a huge number for an upstart.

*Comcast is working with WWE to help them clear cable and satellite systems as part of their ongoing relationship now that Comcast merged with NBC/Universal.

*A Network head has not be named but WWE is looking for someone with reality TV experience.

*There is talk, "according to sources", of sports team programming on the Network as part of the programming aspect that would reach outside of wrestling content.

*Sucherman Consulting Group are working with WWE to help staff 200 positions for the Network.

*WWE's Michelle Wilson would not comment on any carriage or advertising commitments, citing that they were still in negotiations.

*"Most" of WWE's PPV programming would migrate to the network, although that doesn't specify whether they would air live or be replays that ran after the PPV broadcast.

*The Network is set to launch on April 1, 2012 to coincide with WrestleMania XXVIII.

You can read the entire article here.

source: pwinsider.com

Variety Hosting Inaugural "Sports Entertainment" Summit, WWE Executive & UFC President Scheduled

Variety, the leading entertainment trade publication, has announced details on their inaugural "Sports Entertainment Summit" scheduled for July 14 in Los Angeles, Calif. at the Sofitel Hotel.

Naturally, WWE will be represented. Michelle Wilson, the executive VP of marketing, is advertised as a speaker. Also advertised is UFC president Dana White. Additional speakers will come from the NBA, NHL, ESPN, Facebook, Turner Sports, AEG, Reebok, DirecTV, and sports marketing firms.

The stated objective of the conference is to: "explore the growing power of sports as an entertainment experience, as improving technology helps fans stay in touch with games and athletes on a constant basis across multiple platforms. The Summit will assess how all parts of this industry including media companies, agents, sports organizations/franchises, and sponsors are working to take advantage of new opportunities to keep this business vibrant."

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Video: WWE's Global Business Partners Summit

On the eve of WrestleMania XXVII in Atlanta, Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon announced at WWE's Global Business Partners Summit that the company has formally rebranded itself WWE. Members of WWE's senior management team spoke to the new business model for future growth. Stephanie McMahon, EVP, Creative Development & Operations, emceed the Summit where the following topics were discussed regarding the New WWE:

The New WWE Initiative, Partnerships and TV Strategy (Michelle Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer)
New Talent Development Program (Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Senior Advisor)
WWE Studios (Mike Pavone, EVP, WWE Studios)
International Update (Andrew Whitaker, EVP, International)
Digital and Social Media Update (Brian Kalinowski, EVP, Digital)
Kids Initiative and New Product Launches (Jim Connelly, SVP, Consumer Products)

Click here for the video. Stephanie introduces Hunter at 26.38.

Interviews with Torrie WIlson, Lilian Garcia & Candice Michelle

WWE Chief Operating Officer Leaving the Company

WWE filed a Form 8-K today with the SEC that stated the following:

Effective February 28, 2011, Donna N. Goldsmith will leave her positions as Director and Chief Operating Officer of WWE and pursue other interests. She will receive severance benefits as described in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 17, 2010.

Goldsmith, along with Michelle Wilson-EVP Marketing and Stephanie McMahon-EVP Creative Development and Operations were touted as the day-to-day driving force of the WWE and were referred to as WWE's "Wonder Women". The trio were featured in Continental Magazine last January.

It will be interesting to see who takes her place.