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WWE News
WWE News: Linda McMahon tells FOX that WWE's future is in international markets (w/VIDEO) Nov 10, 2008 - 12:19:11 PM
WWE CEO Linda McMahon says WWE's five-year growth plan is focused on the international marketplace. That means plenty more international tours, especially to China in 2009 and India in 2010.
"We are so absolutely bullish on our business with our international growth in the Asian market," Linda McMahon said on FOX Business last week when asked about wrestling's future over the next five years. "We'll be going into those markets for the first time to a fanbase that has not seen our product and I think are really anticipating WWE coming into their marketplace."
McMahon said they've been trying to approach the Asian market slowly to get social and economic factors in place, as well as TV distribution in major markets, prior to beginning a regular touring schedule.
"We've been developing that market slowly," she said. "We've been moving the way we should be moving creating fan interest through the Internet and through our TV programming."
McMahon continued: "China is a market that will be very open to us. Currently, WWE is a great export product of the U.S. and those fans in China want to see the superstars of WWE as they see them on TV."
Caldwell's Analysis: There's another "top story" news item coming from this FOX interview that I'll be analyzing in the next post, but it's obvious where WWE is moving its financial emphasis. Fewer wrestlers on the roster; more international touring emphasis.
VIDEO SELECTION:
DISCUSSION POINT: How long can WWE sustain international growth? Until they find every market in the world to capitalize on? Discuss below!
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