How to improve WWE Revenue

[scomvp316]

I consider myself a pretty good business man and I have some ideas to improve their revenue:

WWE Shop-Expand this to no more than five stores in what I would call wrestling hotbeds Places like Boston,Philly,NYC,and Chicago Unlike their last store venture you must have other entertainment merchandise So not just wrestling and I would include comic book related merchandise especially Marvel stuff

WWE DVD's-Despite what some may say anthology sets are still huge in the industry Keep in mind when it comes to archives its about the fans and what they want The main PPV's for WCW should all be in a anthology set If you sell in volumes you will make more money in the end Mick Foley's last dvd did no better than 50,000 units and I guarantee each volume for Starrcade and GAB could at the minimal do 70,000 units

WWE Apparel-Strike a deal with either Nike,Adidas, or Reebok and take the WWE logo off of clothing Many shoppers throughout the years have liked certain designs but then they see the wrestling logo and they become very turned off

WWE Films-Do away with the name and the logo on all promos Partnership with a studio and WWE be creative and come up with your own name thats not associated with wrestling

Build Your Own DVD-This is a concept alot of fans have liked at the events I go to We all complain about what should or shouldn't be a dvd but put into the hands of the fans This concept would be a first of its kind in all of entertainment No this isn't like Smash Up You build your own dvd by selecting in its original format the archives of your choosing

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

The thing with Build your own DVD is that we might as well not be a build your own "DVD" rather with the WWE network it can be an added value online service that allows you to create your own playlist of matches. I can see it something were you can download matches linked to your account (and where the account can only be logged on in one or two devices at a time).

 

[Zeven_Zion]

For a "pretty good businessman" you don't seem to know the first thing about business. None of those suggestions are neither scalable nor feasible.

You realize they can't just "strike" deals with anyone right? Cooperations rely on two parties interest in their own mutual benefit. They can't just walk up to Nike and demand shit. Pretty sure if the business world was like the Make-A-Wish world you seem to live in, WWE would've already done things like this. Everything can be done on theory. Here's one:

"Strike a partnership with every single government on Earth and stamp the WWE logo on their national flags. This should do wonders for their brand awareness"

I'm so smart.

And the build your own DVD bullshit? Do you realize that this is not feasible - at all? That means they have to personalize the DVD content of EACH and every client. THOUSANDS of people. This would take immense amount of time and personnel. Therefore, WWE would have to pump up the price to the heavens because of this. And they'll probably lose money 'cause they have to pay people for this effort. It's moronic.

How about we stick to being fans? Whatever happened to that? You can't do shit to improve WWE's revenue. Neither can I. Sit the fuck down on your beanbag chair and watch the show like a normal person.

 

[scomvp316]

Really two parties have to have common ground to strike a deal What a concept Thanks already knew that Its call reaching out Try going to retail stores and see people's reaction to a t-shirt or a hoodie with a WWE logo There is a reason why alot of fans don't wear wrestling merch outside of the wrestling event they are attending Its the logo and not just WWE but all wrestling promotions I have worked inside the sports retail industry and know for a fact Adidas and Reebok would be inclined to listening to WWE about carrying their merch

No kidding Einstein WWE would have to hire more people for a concept of Build Your Own DVD The price of each dvd would only increase by no more than $10 compared to dvd prices right now WWE would have to hire a new department for this It would be a first of its kind and what a concept of letting the fans decide Thats how you grow your business by your supporters

These are just ideas I never said I could grow their revenue I have been very successful at growing companies by just listening to ideas and the consumers I have helped turn around 5 different companies because of my expertise so I know what it takes to grow a company further Doesn't happen overnight and sometimes it can take as much as 3 years to see positive growth

 

[George Steele's Barber]

I consider myself a pretty good business man and I have some ideas to improve their revenue:

What background do you have as a businessman? Who have you worked for and with?

WWE Shop-Expand this to no more than five stores in what I would call wrestling hotbeds Places like Boston,Philly,NYC,and Chicago Unlike their last store venture you must have other entertainment merchandise So not just wrestling and I would include comic book related merchandise especially Marvel stuff

Retail seems like a big risk right now with a huge expense. The internet reaches far more people with far less cost. Why pay rent? I guess you increase your revenue, but at what cost? This doesn't sound profitable. WWE has the luxury of reaching their merchandise to their most easily influenced fans at live events.

As far as Marvel goes, that would be great but the cost in 2014 would be huge. Can't I just to a local Walmart if I want to buy both?

WWE DVD's-Despite what some may say anthology sets are still huge in the industry Keep in mind when it comes to archives its about the fans and what they want The main PPV's for WCW should all be in a anthology set If you sell in volumes you will make more money in the end Mick Foley's last dvd did no better than 50,000 units and I guarantee each volume for Starrcade and GAB could at the minimal do 70,000 units

Really? Where did you get these numbers? It's hard to believe these numbers when recent PPVs do less than 200,000, there is lots of free content on YouTube, and the WWE Network is giving people so much more.

I don't know if compilations sell better than individual videos but to me it makes the most sense to treat each case by case and lean toward starting with individual videos before giving up the full compilations.

But mostly online content is making DVDs worth less so why focus on a product on the downside. Blockbuster probably agrees with me.

WWE Apparel-Strike a deal with either Nike,Adidas, or Reebok and take the WWE logo off of clothing Many shoppers throughout the years have liked certain designs but then they see the wrestling logo and they become very turned off

I don't understand this. Are you saying you give up or pay money to Adidas to add their logo to WWE merchandise? So someone is more likely to buy an UT T-shirt if it says Adidas? Either I don't get this or it is a horrible business idea.

WWE Films-Do away with the name and the logo on all promos Partnership with a studio and WWE be creative and come up with your own name thats not associated with wrestling

I agree with this and have thrown it out there before. Unlike apparel, movies are unidentifiable enough to wrestling to the point that slapping the WWE label on the film is not helping. WWE can still promote the movies on their brands but outside of WWE related programming, they should keep their heads low.

Build Your Own DVD-This is a concept alot of fans have liked at the events I go to We all complain about what should or shouldn't be a dvd but put into the hands of the fans This concept would be a first of its kind in all of entertainment No this isn't like Smash Up You build your own dvd by selecting in its original format the archives of your choosing

Another idea that sounds expensive. Plus wouldn't this work way better online?

 

[scomvp316]

OK George here I go:

I am what in the corporate world they call a trouble shooter I work for a company from the high end either on a short term or long term contract Most of the time its less than three years and the final year of my contract is usually in stocks So the first two I make the company alot of money so I don't have to worry about the third year

The companies I have helped are: Banana Republic mostly The Gap,Foot Locker,Finish Line,FYE,and Vivid Entertainment I am currently a paid consultant for JCPenny

Retail stores you are getting your brand out there even more Alot of fans thought the NHL was crazy in putting a retail store near TS in NYC but as of last year they are the #1 specialty sports store in NYC If you take the WWE brand and fuse that with like a FYE or Best Buy with other entertainment merch like apparel and dvd's its a win win after year 2

Adidas needs more exposure to go up against Nike and the best way to do that is be more mainstream Imagine a Footlocker store with Kobe's and DRose's new kicks and right along side that display is a merch rack of John Cena's merch

The Build Your Own DVD is only be for online Sorry if I didn't clarify that My mistake

When WWE re-booted WM Anthology in 2006 the last two volumes were 110,000 and 80,000 My number I reached was based off of those sales and the lackluster Mick Foley DVD that sold 45,000 units Keep in mind the lost fans of wrestling as late as 2004 were fans of wrestling for more than a decade I am not even talking about the casual fan At worst sell the WCW PPV anthologies on WWE Shop Starrcade and GAB most years were on par with WM and SSlam

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Perks must have been interesting on the Vivid account

The reality is that there is a big chance Disney are hovering... Vince would love to retain a consultant/head of the business role but cash out like Lucas did and Kevin Feige at Marvel... Disney with WWE's IP would immediately be finding better ways to exploit it than Vince has access to alone as he still has this "stigma" of failed ventures attached to him like the XFL, WBF and of course the roids/fed stuff... With Disney at the helm all that disappears and suddenly WWE gas access to a lot of new evenue streams,... a Pixar WWE? A possibility that's just one example.

Marvel has proven that they can also layer the approach... they can do the PG/U versions for kids or you can have Winter Soldier which I was amazed wasn't minimum 15 and pretty close to 18 rated in my view... even Agents of Shield has upped the ante in terms of violence in recent weeks...

Vince would love nothing more than to sell his share to the House of Mouse, retain the structure etc already in place but be a "Real" Billionaire rather than a paper one... and he's still the go to guy, so would Trips be.. Shane would be crucial for China as he has all the contacts - Disney would be keen to get more in there too... It's a cheaper acquisition they can make in the run up to Star Wars and Avengers 2 that can contribute to their revenues, when that money hits for those 2 movies... All the Marvel properties are going there regardless of what studios want... they won't be able to say no... indeed WWE has already made the overtones and "proving its worth" with the Scooby Doo stuff... they can fit into Disney...

Sad in someways perhaps, but it's what you call a "win win" except maybe for the most ardent fans.

I've long believed the future of the WWE will be an interactive model once the tech is there... think the WWE Universe mode on a WWE game, but with real video of the wrestlers and you can basically "book your own WWE" against others for ratings... the "real show" still exists as a way to drove the characters etc but if the tech was there and it will be in 10 years or so, with current streaming trends etc you could realistically have IWC fans booking shows that are streamed and get ratings comparable to WWE PPV events... people wouldn't just watch one of them either, they'd watch mroe than one... that's a lot of wrestling. If they can get the tech right and the model, this would be the ultimate wet dream for a wrestling fan, they'd pay $15-20 a month to do it... just to see their results.... imagine everyone who comments on these forums doing it... a lot of dollar...

 

[#tamale]

I consider myself a pretty good business man and I have some ideas to improve their revenue:

WWE Shop-Expand this to no more than five stores in what I would call wrestling hotbeds Places like Boston,Philly,NYC,and Chicago Unlike their last store venture you must have other entertainment merchandise So not just wrestling and I would include comic book related merchandise especially Marvel stuff

It's a novelty idea. People prefer to purchase wrestling items through the comfort of their own homes. Find ways to improve the online purchasing experience.

Zeven_Zion said it best. You can't just walk up to someone and say "Hey I want to partner up." Those things take time.

WWE DVD's-Despite what some may say anthology sets are still huge in the industry Keep in mind when it comes to archives its about the fans and what they want The main PPV's for WCW should all be in a anthology set If you sell in volumes you will make more money in the end Mick Foley's last dvd did no better than 50,000 units and I guarantee each volume for Starrcade and GAB could at the minimal do 70,000 units

The WWE Network negates this. Why would I want to purchase the DVD when it's there for me to watch whenever I want at a lower price? Why would WWE want to pay production and distribution charges for material already ready through the WWE Network? Whatever WWE films from now on will be released on the WWE Network.

WWE Apparel-Strike a deal with either Nike,Adidas, or Reebok and take the WWE logo off of clothing Many shoppers throughout the years have liked certain designs but then they see the wrestling logo and they become very turned off

If fans know it's wrestling, they're turned off anyway. Just improve your creative input for your apparel. That new Big E shirt is actually something I want to purchase and could wear around.

WWE Films-Do away with the name and the logo on all promos Partnership with a studio and WWE be creative and come up with your own name thats not associated with wrestling

I'll agree with this.

Build Your Own DVD-This is a concept alot of fans have liked at the events I go to We all complain about what should or shouldn't be a dvd but put into the hands of the fans This concept would be a first of its kind in all of entertainment No this isn't like Smash Up You build your own dvd by selecting in its original format the archives of your choosing

It's a build your own playlist like youtube. That will probably be part of the WWE Network soon.

 

[scomvp316]

I have never been a guy in a management role that has the thought process that my ideas are the best
Did you know for ever 5 business ideas only 2 work

The whole apparel thing I thought was a pretty good idea
Traditionally to garner more brand exposure you always want your logo out there but I think with wrestling its opposite

I just think WWE can so much more to make money and not lean as much towards sponsors

The perks for working with Vivid were very very nice The girls to most people's surprise are just like any other woman you would work with The only difference is these girls just like to fuck alot I made alot of entertainment contacts through working for Vivid I even bought into some porn websites that are doing pretty well

In the end I just want the WWE to be the best entertainment company period

 

[resignedknight]

Perks must have been interesting on the Vivid account

The reality is that there is a big chance Disney are hovering... Vince would love to retain a consultant/head of the business role but cash out like Lucas did and Kevin Feige at Marvel... Disney with WWE's IP would immediately be finding better ways to exploit it than Vince has access to alone as he still has this "stigma" of failed ventures attached to him like the XFL, WBF and of course the roids/fed stuff... With Disney at the helm all that disappears and suddenly WWE gas access to a lot of new evenue streams,... a Pixar WWE? A possibility that's just one example.

Marvel has proven that they can also layer the approach... they can do the PG/U versions for kids or you can have Winter Soldier which I was amazed wasn't minimum 15 and pretty close to 18 rated in my view... even Agents of Shield has upped the ante in terms of violence in recent weeks...

Vince would love nothing more than to sell his share to the House of Mouse, retain the structure etc already in place but be a "Real" Billionaire rather than a paper one... and he's still the go to guy, so would Trips be.. Shane would be crucial for China as he has all the contacts - Disney would be keen to get more in there too... It's a cheaper acquisition they can make in the run up to Star Wars and Avengers 2 that can contribute to their revenues, when that money hits for those 2 movies... All the Marvel properties are going there regardless of what studios want... they won't be able to say no... indeed WWE has already made the overtones and "proving its worth" with the Scooby Doo stuff... they can fit into Disney...

Sad in someways perhaps, but it's what you call a "win win" except maybe for the most ardent fans.

I've long believed the future of the WWE will be an interactive model once the tech is there... think the WWE Universe mode on a WWE game, but with real video of the wrestlers and you can basically "book your own WWE" against others for ratings... the "real show" still exists as a way to drove the characters etc but if the tech was there and it will be in 10 years or so, with current streaming trends etc you could realistically have IWC fans booking shows that are streamed and get ratings comparable to WWE PPV events... people wouldn't just watch one of them either, they'd watch mroe than one... that's a lot of wrestling. If they can get the tech right and the model, this would be the ultimate wet dream for a wrestling fan, they'd pay $15-20 a month to do it... just to see their results.... imagine everyone who comments on these forums doing it... a lot of dollar...

You're probably right. Disney's modus operandi is to acquire properties with high secondary market potential. They make $100 million dollar movies without batting an eye, really just hoping to break even and then make their money off action figures, games, and other merchandise. There's probably not a single company out there (after the ones they've already bought) that would fit this model better than WWE.

I'm starting to think there's fire behind this smoke, and the time might be now. It would explain why this TV deal hasn't happened yet and the stock surge. In fact, it seems like maybe Vince has been angling for this since they went TV-PG.

The question becomes, does Disney see WWE as being as viable as possible with Vince still at the helm. They have some well-known strife with Pixar over some of their decisions (they were furious about Up because they knew no one would buy a little old man toy; though they were mad about Wall-E too but that robot ended up selling a ton of toys and the like). So how much influence would they demand, and would they ultimately want every character built around these considerations. Vince loves his product too much to give up control, and that may become impassable between the two.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. My guess is that what you'll see if Disney is close is a short term re-up with Comcast while they keep negotiating these finer points with Disney (unless it just happens now). One of the problems, it seems to me, is that Disney doesn't have a real natural fit for Raw and Smackdown. I just don't see ESPN happening, that brand is too solid and too much of a moneymaker to jeopardize, plus they have practically infinite programming options as it is. But honestly, Raw does better than a fair amount of scripted TV on ABC, and would have a leg up since live crowds mitigate production costs. In the era of Reality TV, it might be time to move Raw to broadcast (maybe this would explain Trips starting to associate Raw with reality programming). My guess would be Raw would get a Tuesday or Wednesday night (Monday is too valuable) and Smackdown could replace traditionally poorly rated scripted TV on Friday or add some decent ratings on the black hole that is broadcast TV on Saturday night. Plus, more broadcast exposure would sell more toys. There's actually still a lot of homes without cable, and a lot of those would probably watch WWE (that market seems mostly made up of what David Foster Wallace called "KMart people"), which would fit with their merchandise strategy nicely. I actually don't think it's too outlandish at this point.

 

[scomvp316]

Disney would make the most sense
Disney has enough capital and future capital they could take a risk and create another channel that would have a mix of their programming along with WWE Network
The only negative thing would be if Disney had more control of WWE with at least two board members on the WWE BOD
Other than that Disney markets the hell out of everything and within that first year I think WWE would see a increase of around 2.5% for NP

 

[THTRobtaylor]

They wouldn't need a new channel or ESPN. They can work fine with network or cable as shown with the Agents show for Marvel but if you look at the Marvel deal in particular the worries of control aren't an issue... They have a model, Disney supply the finance but let the guys who know the property manage it pretty much carte blanche. Feige was the guy who stuck his neck out and bought Marvel first, so has a lot invested emotionally to it, but they keep Stan Lee in the loop as well... There is no reason to think a WWE Owned by Disney would be any different boardwise bar one or two memembers, and even they would be smart enough to defer to Vince and Trips.

From the marketing perspective its a dream property for Disney in that they can market to the different age groups accordingly - for those saying PG...no, if we're ever gonna see more adult wrestling it'd be under a Disney banner, just like they have the kiddy friendly shows with the Avengers and the more violent, grown-up movies... Disney also does not have a major sport related property... WWE could be it. Less risk than a Football Franchise or the like.


The share price thing is a big factor, they don't generally rise that quickly unless something is going very right indeed.. it could be as simple as better Network takeup than expected but on the surface it has to be external - as the in ring side for Mania is lacklustre to say the least... Steph has been shipping stock to someone... I thought Shane but perhaps Disney have been buying the stock?

 

[New Hot Fed]

A good idea would be to keep the PPVs as such and don't put them on the WWE Network. Just have the WWE Network be like any other Networks with original shows plus the video archives. Even without PPVs, 10 dollars a month would be worth it. It's ridiculous to cut yourself of the traditional revenue streams.