So... you've always wanted to write for the World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE:WWE) organization? You thought that Mankind should have won a few more matches with the Undertaker, that the evil Mr. McMahon deserved greater comeuppance?
Who knows, you may now get your chance (in a manner of speaking). On an upcoming pay-per-view program titled Taboo Tuesday (to be held Oct. 19 in Milwaukee), the screaming WWE fans in attendance and at home (via the Net) will become empowered with the ability to steer the creative direction of the night's portfolio of matches.
As a marketing gimmick, this idea has been too long in coming, especially since the WWE product has retained a reputation of being stale and uninspired as of late. Bringing fans in on decisions such as what category of match is presented will undoubtedly reach out to the core audience and give them a unique experience, while the resultant publicity will expand awareness of what the WWE has to offer. It should be noted that the press release makes clear that viewers won't necessarily have the final say on endings but will have a significant influence.
The public loves to vote on things; Fox's (NYSE:FOX) American Idol and Viacom's (NYSE:VIA) MTV's Total Request Live serve as testament to such electoral adulation (too bad people don't vote in actual elections with a similar enthusiasm). Infusing such an extemporaneous architecture into the WWE programming culture, even if it is done on only a sporadic basis, is a good idea that should provide a basis for incremental revenue gains (especially considering that this will be a pay-per-view in addition to the usual monthly one).
One suggestion I'd make to CEO Linda McMahon is the following: Allow writers -- whether they are fans or not -- the opportunity to send in treatments for consideration. The Star Trek producers used to allow fans to send in two spec scripts, if I recall correctly, for evaluation and possible purchase, although that practice is no longer promoted. Even though one couldn't really argue that such a policy would increase net earnings per share, I think it's a good way to keep the fandom community linked to the wrestling brand. (I also could be biased in proffering this concept, since I would love to script a story or two myself.)
So, will investors in the stock get a pop to the upside because of Taboo Tuesday? Not necessarily. WWE has a lot of work to do if it'd like to see the market cap double. This, however, is a good idea, which will provide a useful body of post-analysis that hopefully can be leveraged toward increased earnings down the line by seeing exactly what it is that the typical WWE consumer wants.
Get in the ring with these Foolish Takes:
What do you think of this idea? Is Vince McMahon onto something here, or is a WWE show something to be experienced in a more passive manner? Smack down some of your thoughts on the Fool's WWE discussion board.
Fool contributor Steven Mallas owns none of the companies mentioned.
