The Boston Herald has reported that WWE is attempting to shift the focus of its marketing direction by hoping to entice major corporations to sponsor WWE programming 52-weeks per year. For example, this would mean having a major company like Gatorade become the "official sports drink of WWE" as opposed to just having a company sponsor a single pay-per-view which is what they currently have. This strategy has been used by major sports leagues including the NHL, NBA, and NFL to much success.So what does this all mean to the average viewer? It could mean a big change in the overall creative direction of the company. Gone forever could be angles and characters that would deter major sponsors from attaching their name to WWE.
Now I am all for never seeing another "Kiss My Ass Club" segment or the compelling Katie Vick storyline, but becoming a more "corporate friendly" company means having to cater to a more mainstream taste. This means that some of WWE's most loyal fans may become even more alienated then they have ever been.
WWE already keeps a short leash on what most of their talent can do on camera. Interviews and promos are scripted days in advance, matches are laid out move for move by agents, and Stephanie McMahon oversees all things creative. However being a model for "Corporate America" could mean a heavier sanitation of the product. For instance, I will not be surprised if we never see blood on WWE television again.But it may not stop there. Sponsors may not want their brand attached to a company that has men and women wrestling each other. Even worse, could sponsors not want their product associated with a wrestling company that has "hardcore matches" or "street fights" where major use of weapons is common?
I may be completely wrong or absolutely correct on my assumption. I do however firmly believe that the creative direction of WWE could go under major changes if sponsors are spending big money on WWE television. The almighty dollar is a powerful and persuasive weapon. How the direction of creative changes as this marketing initiative goes forward will be something to follow in the latter part of 2007.
To read the Boston Herald article click HERE
1 comments: on "Could Marketing Shift Change Creative?"
If this is the direction that the WWE takes, it will be just another rotation in the circle of wrestling. Haught mentioned the cyclicality(nice word) of wrestling.
Remember when supersoaker and 10-321, pepsi(maybe?)castrol all that shit was associated with WWE? Vince Russo came along, he told guys to say suck it and shoot super soakers, therefore the sponsors took their ball(or high powered water guns) and went home.
If this happens yet again, there will be someone not employed or employed in an entry position that will move up and convince somebody that the blood should be back. The tits should start bouncing again, the fight should be taken to the streets. And BAM the attitude era makes a comeback.
I know that my theory is way off, but think about it this way. One of the biggest rips on guys in wrestling is that they are so caught up in the day to day. With this move possibly being it will not be lateral it will be backward. Though in the future when the WWE breaks from the chains they are about to be placed in there will be another revolution, and a second attitude era. Maybe...just maybe.
Good article Frank. I'm still holdin out hope of the Fronte Report.
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