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| Posted By | Discussion Topic: Linda McMahon discusses WWF Second Quarter financial Report ... announces there will be a separate show for WCW eventually | ||||
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| Hello! Hello! Diamond Dust! Hello! | posted on 11-22-2001 @ 10:11 AM |    | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Feb. 01  | Earlier today, Tom Gibbons, VP of Investor Relations, WWFE CEO Linda McMahon and Executive Vice President & CFO August Liguori held a conference call with investors and the media earlier today to discuss 2nd Quarter 2002 financial earnings. Here are highlights from the call: - Linda discussed the cyclical nature of the business, but said they have no plans in changing their strategy and their long term goals. - She said they will continue to build and refine their brand (WWF) and work to create other brands. - She said that ratings continue to be a concern, but they are working to bring them to higher levels. They said they are still the number one regularly scheduled show on cable, and that Smackdown is number one with Males 18-24. She said that while others would be happy with their ratings, they are not satisfied and are working to bring ratings up to previous levels. - Linda said a reason for the drop in ratings is because storylines are not as compelling, but that they have turned the corner. She said they "tweaked" the creative process. - The WCW angle did not take hold as quickly as planned, and changes were made. - She said they are responding to what fans say, and pointed out the jump in ratings from Raw this past week. - The second touring crew (the "B" shows) have begun, and she said the results were "encouraging". - They will be opening their London office in the near future, as they continue to build international business. New TV deals are in place for Japan, India, Brazil, Finland and other countries. - International live event tours are being planned, and they hope to announce them at the beginning of next year. Linda said there was a "pent up" demand for WWF overseas. - Regarding the DirecTV situation, she said they cannot accept terms worse than what they had before with DirecTV. Felt in the long term, this is better for them than taking a bad deal. They are willing to negotiate, but they had to walk away from the impasse they had reached. They are willing to talk again with them. - WWF has been successful in selling their advertising, despite the soft market. They have held their prices, and sold much of it upfront. Feel they have been insulated from the market, since they are seen as valuable in reaching the young male demographic. - Talked about the promotional launch of X-Box, which included the Rock and Bill Gates making an appearance at WWFNY to promote the game system. - Merchandise sales have been soft, but toys and videogames are on the up. They look forward to new issues for new game platforms. - WWFNY has felt the effect of Sept. 11th. They have introduced more live entertainment, such as rock concerts and illusionists, as a result. They also have continued with changing the restaurant into "The World" nightclub on Saturdays. - Linda said they reorganized and reduced workforce by nine percent. They have also streamlined the decision making process in the company. - The financial statement was reviewed, which you can read in full by clicking here They then took questions from the callers. - Concerning the launch of a "second brand", Linda said the development did not go as quickly due to "audience expectations" and the "performances" that were given. She called it a period of "creative confusion". She said everything is under the WWF banner now, but in the next few weeks, we will see the breakout that will result in more definitive lines on television and the addition of PPVs. She said there are 165 pieces of talent under contract, and that is what allows them to have a second tour now. They would like to add another 100 shows a year. She said the additional talent also allows for more international shows. - Linda said the distraction of the XFL was minimal on their creative process in the WWF. She did make a football analogy, saying they had to "backup and punt" on the WCW storyline. She said the absence of the Rock and injuries (probably referring to Triple H, Chris Benoit, and Rikishi) also had an impact on the plans. She said sometimes you are "sharper" creatively than at other times and that happens when you produce 52 weeks of original programming a year. - There will be a television special in March on the Divas on UPN the Friday prior to Wrestlemania. - They are looking at a possible publishing deal with Simon and Schuster. - No plans for a WWF amusement park at this time. There have been discussions about WWF-themed rides at parks, but nothing set. - Smackdown Records continues to offer new releases, and will have a rock music compilation in February, and a release by the band Nuerotica in March, and a soundtrack for Tough Enough 2 is in the works. Linda said it was a "slow grow" process with the record company. Lillian Garcia may release a disc with them. Christmas 2002 will see a possible Christmas compilation. - Discussions with Universal on script development for movies and television are ongoing. - The "Get REAL" promotion with Kay-Bee, where trading cards were given out with WWF purchases, has done well for them and created a relationship between the two. - They are very happy with the Sony video deal, which has opened up new stores for them including Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and they feel will help get their videos into other retail outlets. - Linda said they are looking at the possibility of some "make good ads" but they are reaching their goals for the most part concerning advertising. - They are not expecting a huge revenue increase from International TV deals themselves, but from the live event tours that will follow. 5% of current gross revenue is from international markets, and they see that as an untapped area. They would like to see that number increase, not from domestic revenue shrinking, but from business overseas expanding. credit: 1wrestling.com HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLO! | ||||
| rageparty 123...Not so bare anymore since I got a number underneath my name again I also have an imaginary girlfriend. | posted on 11-22-2001 @ 5:34 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Aug. 01 | Good, I'm looking forward to what the WWF does with this second show. Booker T should be in the WWF though. He has great skills. Just get rid of that spinarooni shit... | ||||
Displaying 1-2 of 2 messages in this thread. |