Introduction:
World Wrestling Entertainment also known as WWE is an incorporated media and an entertainment company which is based on a wide range of businesses consisting of passionate and loyal base of the customer. WWE is been recognized as a leader in providing entertainment related to sports for many years. Strategy used by the company is to capitalize on major leverage operations if the business model of the company is distributed of its intellectual property across existing platforms related to media and also new emerging platforms based on distribution. Main focus of the company is the expansion of its potential of the brand of WWE not only in domestic markets but also in international markets, developing extensive business apart from the brand of WWE and development of new programming as well as brands related to sports entertainment which help in leveraging the core competencies of WWE. Part of their business strategy is to look for the initiatives for strengthening the brand, to expand the business at an international level, making use of significant wrestling content of their library effectively and to look for more opportunities in providing entertainment related to films.
Now, World Wrestling Entertainment is recognized as one of the major integrated entertainment company that is mainly involved in developing, producing, and marketing of programs related to television, programming related to pay-per-view, live events and also licensing and sale of consumer products that are branded which also features successful brand of WWE. with the continual growth in the brand of WWE, a strategic decision for expanding the brand of WWE globally was made with great emphasis.
Business model of WWE is given below:
(Shuart, n.d)
Issues faced by WWE:
Apart from its large global expansion and its increasing brand growth and opportunities, there are also some issues faced by WWE which include an issue faced due to growing form of mixed martial arts which is a form of combat sports combining kickboxing and grappling. As it is very much similar to wrestling, therefore there is a threat that fans of WWE might be attracted to martial arts.
Another issue faced by WWE is that it is not a family friendly entertainment due to involvement of abusing words, sex and much violence. Due to which strong customer base of the company might be hurt as people prefer to get entertainment with their family and which WWE is not.
Solution to the Issues:
First issue is solved by starting MMA in Brazil and Japan which is an ultimate fighting championship and is also an International Fight League which contributed in promoting WWE as a new spectator sport in United States.
Second issue is solved by toning down its sex and violence for expanding their audience base and also to make their shows more family friendly. Fake prop blood is now no longer used by them and the use of abusive language has also been toned down for getting the rating of TV-PG for their television programming. Therefore, by implementing and adopting such changes, many new ways of exploiting wrestling as a form of mass entertainment can be found.
SWOT analysis of WWE:
STRENGTHS:
1- Biggest strength of WWE is that it is merely not just a wrestling company but it is also involved in providing its customers with a wide range of entertainment. This strength separates it from its competitors.
2- Another strength its licensing program that operates all around the world. In video games of WWE, licensing plays a very important role which is a main source of earning revenues for the company.
3- One of their biggest strength is their huge library that is based on home video.
4- Pay per view is also strength of WWE. Wrestling was introduced to the mainstream through WrestleMania by using pay per view and now almost 20 pay per views are presented by WWE which feature its two significant brands i-e RAW and Smackdown.
WEAKNESSES:
1- Major weakness of WWE is that the industry of wrestling is very cyclical in its nature having uncertain ups and downs.
2- Another weakness of this company is that there is not enough competition in this industry and therefore without enough competition, there is less motivation for being creative and innovative in its offerings.