Ric Flair's NWA Return, New WWE Media Player, Social Network, More
The National Wrestling Alliance will be holding several autograph sessions with Ric Flair in the coming months. The following information was announced for a Friday 11/28 Philadelphia, PA signing session: The National Wrestling Alliance?, Harding Road Entertainment and HK Entertainment and Big Vision Entertainment presents the 10 Times NWA? Worlds Heavyweight Champion "Nature Boy" Ric Flair at Chickie's & Pete's 1526 Packer Ave. in South Philly on Friday November 28. 2008 from 2:00 ? 5:00 PM. Limited tickets for this autograph event are on sale now at all Chickie's & Pete's locations (outside the airport) or by calling 215-218-0500.
It's been a rough month for WWE's stock. After peaking at almost $16 a share in mid-October, the stock was down 3.38% on Tuesday, closing at $11.73. Today (Wednesday), the stock is down another 4.77% and is currently trading at 11.17. WWE's price had not been in this range since June of 2005 when the price bottomed out under $11.
WWE issued the following press release touting their new video player on their official website: New WWE.COM Video Player November 19, 2008 Stamford, Conn., November 19 2008 ? On October 28, 2008 World Wrestling Entertainment? Inc. (WWE) announced the launch of its next generation video player on wwe.com. Since its launch, video viewing has increased 77% on the site and video ad impressions are up 95%. The new video player not only provides a dramatically enhanced viewing experience, it also enables WWE? to offer even more ways for advertising partners to bring their brand "inside the ring" through sponsorship, product integration, and branded entertainment content. WWE advertising partner brands can be front and center in WWE's pop culture environment, through one of the entertainment industry's most engaging and interactive online platforms, featuring: * A high-definition viewing experience offering 16 : 9 playback * Pre-roll ads and premium companion ad units in 728 x 90 and 300 x 250 sizes * Custom background video player skinning * Full-screen playing capabilities. WWE.com currently offers an online video advertising channel that garners over 25 million video streams each month and an impressive roster of over 1500 web-exclusive videos, including interviews with Superstars, weekly brand "QuickCut" recaps, exclusive news, and all of the latest editions of WWE.com Video Originals such as "The Dirt Sheet," "Santino's Casa", and "Word Up." "This new video player launches the next generation of wwe.com. Our loyal audience will enjoy a stadium-like experience, sitting in the comfort of their own homes, viewing an unprecedented amount of video from our live events and web exclusive programming. Advertisers will get top billing through pre-roll ads, premium adverting real estate, and creative custom solutions to help them achieve their marketing objectives," says WWE's Joe DelGrosso, SVP of Digital & Sponsorship Sales.
WWE issued the following press release today talking about launching their online social network: WWE.COM LAUNCHES MUCH ANTICIPATED ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK November 19, 2008 STAMFORD, Conn., November 19, 2008 – World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:WWE) today announced the launch of "WWE UNIVERSE," its new online social networking site hosted at WWE.com. WWE UNIVERSE offers all WWE fans the ultimate social networking experience on the web by ushering in a whole new level of interaction for WWE fans and Superstars. In addition to connecting with the millions of other WWE devotees from around the globe, WWE Universe allows its members to: * Connect with larger-than-life WWE Superstars, most of whom have their own official profiles on WWE Universe. * Exclusively experience WWE.com Live Blogs featuring interactive commentary during live WWE programming, special events and pay-per-view broadcasts. * Create message boards, blogs and discussion groups, upload images (and soon video), have live chats and interact with other members of the WWE Universe. "WWE Universe is the first social networking site specifically designed and developed for the WWE online community" said Brian Kalinowski, General Manager, Digital Media "We are very excited to provide an online destination that WWE fans can call home".