DOCSLIB.ORG

Business Model Rough

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Business Model Rough Jeff Kinnebrew Page !1 1. Provide the entertainment sector the company/division is in. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is in the Sports Entertainment sector and the primary NAICS code is Motion Picture and Video Production. The business is divided into three primary sectors: Media, Live Events, and Consumer Products. I will be focusing on the Media division of the WWE. 2. Does the company/division make a product or do they provide a service? Without starting a debate on the philosophical idea of what it means to provide a service, I will simply state that WWE creates a product to be consumed. Their flagship product is the longest running weekly episodic television series, Monday Night RAW. They also produce reality TV series like Total Divas, Total Bellas, and Mix and Misses. Aside from programs on cable television they also produce monthly Pay-Per-View specials and Documentaries on their subscription based streaming service, The WWE Network. 3. Where do they sell their products and/or services? The WWE launched their online subscription based video streaming service, The WWE Network, in 2014. For $9.99 per month subscribers get full access to all of WWE’s weekly series, Pay-Per-Views, an achieve of past events, and other original content. They currently air both of their weekly live programs, attracting on average 3.5 million views per week, on the USA Network under a deal with NBC/Universal worth $150 million per year. But recently, a $1billion 3 year deal with FOX was signed for the rights to air the show Smackdown beginning October of 2019. Through these media WWE has been able to make deals with around 50 “Blue Chip” sponsors. 4. Describe their target market. Their target market is families. They market to children and women, with 40% of their viewers being female. There has been a recent shift towards featuring female wrestlers more predominantly to connect with this audience. Ticket prices range from $20-$70, which is on par with other live sporting events. They market to the casual wrestling fan; someone that has watched wrestling previously but don’t follow very closely. As a result they make the storylines of their programs easy to follow; a viewer could watch one episode a month and still be able to follow the story. They have also begun marketing heavily to audiences outside of the United States. According to Paul “Triple H” Levesque, VP of Talent Development/Creative, “If you take all our platforms, all of the viewership, 70% of our viewership comes from outside the U.S., but only 30% of the revenue comes from outside the U.S. It’s a huge opportunity.” In the past year they have produced live events in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, China, and Europe in an attempt to capitalize on this market. Jeff Kinnebrew Page !2 5. How does your company advertise? Aside from traditional advertisements during their shows on cable television, the WWE uses a creative tactic of using “news” as advertisement. The most relevant instance of this is their signing of Ronda Rousey last year and her wrestling debut at their largest event, Wrestlemania. WWE is adept at using social media to market their product. YouTube ranks WWE as the #1 sports channel on the platform with over 12 billion views per year. They have over 800 million followers across social media. Jeff Kinnebrew Page !3 6. Describe the costs you think your company incurs on a daily basis. First and foremost, WWE does not own a home venue, they must rent out each venue, and pay for the broadcast rights. They must also pay for the transportation of all of the production gear. They have to pay for the production staff. They have to pay for the talent. They must pay for transportation and lodging for the production staff and talent. They provide an on site medical staff that travels with the performers. They pay the staff that monitors and produces content on social media. There are writers, athletic trainers, behind the scenes “road agents”. Jeff Kinnebrew Page !4 References WSJ - WWE Looks to Pin Down Advertisers https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-looks-to-pin-down-advertisers-1499092643 CBS Sports - WWE makes it official: SmackDown Live will move to Fox, air on Fridays beginning in 2019 https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-makes-it-official-smackdown-live-will-move- to-fox-air-on-fridays-beginning-in-2019/ WWE.com - Company Overview http://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/company-overview Super Show-Down Advertisement https://www.triplem.com.au/sport/other-sports/news/wwe-super-show-down-announced- for-october-right-here-in-australia ESPN - Ronda Rousey joining WWE to perform as full-time pro wrestler http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/22244988/ronda-rousey-signs-wwe .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Emergency! Electric Fireplace 114736 - Media Console Electric F Ireplace 888400/13 HEATS up to 1,000 SQ
    T1 January 7 - 13, 2018 Connie Britton, Angela Bassett and Peter Krause star in “9-1-1” FIREPLACES STARTING AT $688 HOLLYWOOD II URBAN LOFT Mirrored electric fireplace 119522 Media console electric fireplace 112726 ENTERPRISE BLACK ASTORIA Emergency! Electric fireplace 114736 - Media console electric f ireplace 888400/13 HEATS UP TO 1,000 SQ. FT. T2 Page 2 — Sunday, January 7, 2018 — The Robesonian Under pressure First responders struggle to save the day and themselves in Fox’s ‘9-1-1’ By Kyla Brewer first responders contend that (“AHS: Roanoke”). Aside from her TV Media they’re also the most rewarding, top-notch television work, Bassett and this new series sheds light on is best known for her appearances hen the heat is on, it helps to the highs and lows these brave men in feature films. She secured her Wkeep a cool head. In an emer- and women experience every day. spot as a Hollywood icon with her gency situation, first responders “In those moments when you portrayal of Tina Turner in the must keep it together and rely on actually save someone, there’s no biopic “What’s Love Got to Do their training to help those in need. better feeling in the world,” Nash With It,” for which she won a Gold- However, that doesn’t mean first says in “9-1-1.” en Globe and earned an Oscar responders don’t need help them- Bringing those moments to the nomination. She’s also famous for selves. small screen may be a big chal- her starring turn in the romantic Creators Ryan Murphy and Brad lenge, but if there’s currently a comedy “How Stella Got Her Falchuk explore the pressures team in network television that Grove Back” (1998).
    [Show full text]
  • Cleveland Alumnimatters Vol
    JUNE 2016 Cleveland NON-PROFIT AlumniMatters U.S. POSTAGE PAID Stay Connected to Cleveland! KANSAS CITY, MO Cleveland University-Kansas City PERMIT NO. 1345 Office of Communications 10850 Lowell Ave., Suite 2045 Overland Park, Kan. 66210-1613 Facebook: ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED facebook.com/ClevelandUnivKC Cleveland Vol. 5, No. 1 | June 2016 AlumniMatters Twitter: A NEWSLETTER FOR GRADUATES & FRIENDS OF CLEVELAND UNIVERSITY-KANSAS CITY twitter.com/ClevelandUnivKC Dr. McKenzie leads global effort hat would you call the chance to peri- enlightening for him to view the patients through Wodically leave your established practice, the eyes of the student doctors. Instagram: travel to a foreign land where you are not fluent “I am able to see the ‘ah ha’ moments in a dif- in the language, and while there, assume the ferent perspective, one that I think we sometimes instagram.com/ClevelandUnivKC duties of a job that was somewhat unfamil- forget in our own practice, and sometimes take iar to you? Dr. Edward for granted,” McKen- McKenzie ’69, called zie said. “I didn’t real- To send news or update your it something he simply ize how different it is could not resist, and he teaching how to adjust contact information, visit: Dr. Rhett Bruner ’08 (at right) News & Notes, Page 2 gladly accepted it. He rather than just auto- cleveland.edu/alumni-news now spends a few weeks matically doing it, and each year in Spain at in doing so, I find my Save the dates! Madrid Chiropractic skills have improved College (MCC) serving even after 40-plus years Oct. 7-9, 2016 as a supervisor in the in practice.” Homecoming Celebration ON THE HORIZON | Mark Your Calendar CU-KC Campus outpatient clinic.
    [Show full text]
  • 06 4-15-14 TV Guide.Indd
    Page 6 THE NORTON TELEGRAM Tuesday, April 15, 2014 Monday Evening April 21, 2014 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 KHGI/ABC Dancing With Stars Castle Local Jimmy Kimmel Live Nightline WEEK OF FRIDAY, APRIL 18 THROUGH THURSDAY, APRIL 24 KBSH/CBS 2 Broke G Friends Mike Big Bang NCIS: Los Angeles Local Late Show Letterman Ferguson KSNK/NBC The Voice The Blacklist Local Tonight Show Meyers FOX Bones The Following Local Cable Channels A&E Duck D. Duck D. Duck Dynasty Bates Motel Bates Motel Duck D. Duck D. AMC Jaws Jaws 2 ANIM River Monsters River Monsters Rocky Bounty Hunters River Monsters River Monsters CNN Anderson Cooper 360 CNN Tonight Anderson Cooper 360 E. B. OutFront CNN Tonight DISC Fast N' Loud Fast N' Loud Car Hoards Fast N' Loud Car Hoards DISN I Didn't Dog Liv-Mad. Austin Good Luck Win, Lose Austin Dog Good Luck Good Luck E! E! News The Fabul Chrisley Chrisley Secret Societies Of Chelsea E! News Norton TV ESPN MLB Baseball Baseball Tonight SportsCenter Olbermann ESPN2 NFL Live 30 for 30 NFL Live SportsCenter FAM Hop Who Framed The 700 Club Prince Prince FX Step Brothers Archer Archer Archer Tomcats HGTV Love It or List It Love It or List It Hunters Hunters Love It or List It Love It or List It HIST Swamp People Swamp People Down East Dickering America's Book Swamp People LIFE Hoarders Hoarders Hoarders Hoarders Hoarders Listings: MTV Girl Code Girl Code 16 and Pregnant 16 and Pregnant House of Food 16 and Pregnant NICK Full H'se Full H'se Full H'se Full H'se Full H'se Full H'se Friends Friends Friends SCI Metal Metal Warehouse 13 Warehouse 13 Warehouse 13 Metal Metal For your SPIKE Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Jail Jail TBS Fam.
    [Show full text]
  • Wwe Q3 2018 Results – October 25, 2018 Forward-Looking Statements
    WWE Q3 2018 RESULTS – OCTOBER 25, 2018 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This presentation contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to: entering, maintaining and renewing major distribution agreements; WWE Network (including the risk that we are unable to attract, retain and renew subscribers); our need to continue to develop creative and entertaining programs and events; the possibility of a decline in the popularity of our brand of sports entertainment; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent K. McMahon; possible adverse changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives; the highly competitive, rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented nature of the markets in which we operate and greater financial resources or marketplace presence of many of our competitors; uncertainties associated with international markets; our difficulty or inability to promote and conduct our live events and/or other businesses if we do not comply with applicable regulations; our dependence on our intellectual property rights, our need to protect those rights, and the risks of our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights; the complexity of our rights agreements across distribution mechanisms and geographical areas; potential substantial liability in the event of accidents or injuries occurring
    [Show full text]
  • Warren Ganues, Et Al. V. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Et Al
    Case 3:14-cv-01070-AWT Document 1 Filed 07/25/14 Page 1 of 22 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT WARREN GANUES and DOMINIC Case No. VARRIALE, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated, CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FOR Plaintiffs, VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS v. WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC., VINCENT K. MCMAHON, and July 24, 2014 GEORGE A. BARRIOS, Defendants. ) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 3:14-cv-01070-AWT Document 1 Filed 07/25/14 Page 2 of 22 Plaintiffs Warren Ganues and Dominic Varriale ("Plaintiffs"), by their attorneys, submit this Class Action Complaint against the Defendants (as defined herein) named herein. NATURE AND SUMMARY OF THE ACTION 1. This is a securities class action on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the securities of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ("WWE" or the "Company") between October 31, 2013, and May 16, 2014, inclusive (the "Class Period"), against WWE and certain of its officers and/or a director for violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") 2. WWE is an integrated media and entertainment company that was founded in Stamford, Connecticut in 1980 and focuses on the wrestling entertainment business worldwide. Today, WWE primarily operates in four core segments: Live and Televised Entertainment, Consumer Products, Digital Media, and WWE Studios. The Company's flagship televised entertainment includes its Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown properties which air in the United States on Comcast Corporation's USA Network and Syfy Channel, respectively. 3. This matter arises out of false and misleading statements about the WWE's much publicized ability to transform the Company's earnings profile through, among other things, the negotiation of a lucrative new long-term television license deal.
    [Show full text]
  • Melbourne Ready to Rumble at Wwe™ Super Show-Down
    Sunday, 17 June, 2018 MELBOURNE READY TO RUMBLE AT WWE™ SUPER SHOW-DOWN Melbourne will be the centre of the WWE universe later this year when the wrestling spectacular, WWE Super Show-Down, comes to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in October. The Andrews Labor Government today announced that WWE Super Show-Down will be the largest wrestling event ever to be held in Australia, eclipsing the Global Warning event which welcomed 56,743 people to Etihad Stadium in 2002. Melburnians, alongside thousands of fans from around Australia and the world, will witness WWE’s unique brand of action-packed sports entertainment. Some of the sport’s biggest names will participate including John Cena, Ronda Rousey, the Undertaker, Triple H and Australia’s own Billie Kay and Peyton Royce of The Iconics. WWE Super Show-Down strengthens Melbourne’s position as the sport and live entertainment capital of Australia and raises Victoria’s profile on the international stage, with WWE to be broadcast globally to millions of people in 24 languages. WWE Super Show-Down was secured by the Labor Government thanks to the Major Events Fund, which was recently boosted by $4.5 million in the Victorian budget 2018/19. Visit Victoria is collaborating with TEG Dainty and WWE, one of the biggest sports and entertainment brands in the world, to bring the Super Show-Down to Melbourne. Since Visit Victoria was established, Victoria has already secured more than 60 major events, 320 business events and supported more than 160 events across our regions, helping to create more than 15,000 new Victorian tourism jobs.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 WWE Finest
    BASE BASE CARDS 1 Angel Garza Raw® 2 Akam Raw® 3 Aleister Black Raw® 4 Andrade Raw® 5 Angelo Dawkins Raw® 6 Asuka Raw® 7 Austin Theory Raw® 8 Becky Lynch Raw® 9 Bianca Belair Raw® 10 Bobby Lashley Raw® 11 Murphy Raw® 12 Charlotte Flair Raw® 13 Drew McIntyre Raw® 14 Edge Raw® 15 Erik Raw® 16 Humberto Carrillo Raw® 17 Ivar Raw® 18 Kairi Sane Raw® 19 Kevin Owens Raw® 20 Lana Raw® 21 Liv Morgan Raw® 22 Montez Ford Raw® 23 Nia Jax Raw® 24 R-Truth Raw® 25 Randy Orton Raw® 26 Rezar Raw® 27 Ricochet Raw® 28 Riddick Moss Raw® 29 Ruby Riott Raw® 30 Samoa Joe Raw® 31 Seth Rollins Raw® 32 Shayna Baszler Raw® 33 Zelina Vega Raw® 34 AJ Styles SmackDown® 35 Alexa Bliss SmackDown® 36 Bayley SmackDown® 37 Big E SmackDown® 38 Braun Strowman SmackDown® 39 "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt SmackDown® 40 Carmella SmackDown® 41 Cesaro SmackDown® 42 Daniel Bryan SmackDown® 43 Dolph Ziggler SmackDown® 44 Elias SmackDown® 45 Jeff Hardy SmackDown® 46 Jey Uso SmackDown® 47 Jimmy Uso SmackDown® 48 John Morrison SmackDown® 49 King Corbin SmackDown® 50 Kofi Kingston SmackDown® 51 Lacey Evans SmackDown® 52 Mandy Rose SmackDown® 53 Matt Riddle SmackDown® 54 Mojo Rawley SmackDown® 55 Mustafa Ali Raw® 56 Naomi SmackDown® 57 Nikki Cross SmackDown® 58 Otis SmackDown® 59 Robert Roode Raw® 60 Roman Reigns SmackDown® 61 Sami Zayn SmackDown® 62 Sasha Banks SmackDown® 63 Sheamus SmackDown® 64 Shinsuke Nakamura SmackDown® 65 Shorty G SmackDown® 66 Sonya Deville SmackDown® 67 Tamina SmackDown® 68 The Miz SmackDown® 69 Tucker SmackDown® 70 Xavier Woods SmackDown® 71 Adam Cole NXT® 72 Bobby
    [Show full text]
  • “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey® to Make Historic Video Game Franchise Debut As WWE® 2K19 Pre-Order Bonus Character
    “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey® to Make Historic Video Game Franchise Debut as WWE® 2K19 Pre-Order Bonus Character July 10, 2018 8:00 AM ET “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” set to join former WWE Champion Rey Mysterio® as the second of two playable pre-order characters for the upcoming flagship series release NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 10, 2018-- 2K today announced that Olympic medalist, feature film actress, UFC® Hall of Famer and current WWE® Superstar, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey®, will make her WWE console video game debut in WWE® 2K19, the forthcoming release in the flagship WWE video game franchise. The “Baddest Woman on the Planet” – who put the WWE Universe on notice with a surprise Royal Rumble® 2018 appearance, blockbuster WrestleMania® 34 debut match and continued explosive presence – will appear in WWE 2K19 as a playable character wearing her signature ring gear inspired by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. In addition, 2K’s global marketing campaign trailer for the announcement, which debuted during last night’s Monday Night Raw® broadcast, further celebrates Ronda’s landmark WWE arrival and incredible bond shared with the late WWE Hall of Famer through inclusion of Piper’s verbal praise from her Piper’s Pit™ podcast appearance in 2015. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home /20180710005154/en/ “As a WWE Superstar, having support from the Piper family means everything to me,” said Ronda Rousey. “It’s 2K today announced that Olympic medalist, feature film actress, an honor to be part of WWE 2K19 and have my name UFC® Hall of Famer and current WWE® Superstar, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey®, will make her WWE console video game debut in mentioned alongside so many important Superstars in WWE WWE® 2K19, the forthcoming release in the flagship WWE video history, including Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle®, Ultimate game franchise.
    [Show full text]
  • Weather Has the Bill Has Matter
    T H U R S D A Y 161st YEAR • NO. 227 JANUARY 21, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ A year of project completions ‘State of the City’ eyes present, future By JOYANNA LOVE spur even more economic growth a step closer toward the Spring Banner Senior Staff Writer FIRST OF 2 PARTS along the APD 40 corridor,” Rowland Branch Industrial Park becoming a said. reality. Celebrating the completion of some today. The City Council recently thanked “A conceptual master plan was long-term projects for the city was a He said the successes of the past state Rep. Kevin Brooks for his work revealed last summer, prepared by highlight of Cleveland Mayor Tom year were a result of hard work by city promoting the need for the project on TVA and the Bradley/Cleveland Rowland’s State of the City address. staff and the Cleveland City Council. the state level by asking that the Industrial Development Board,” “Our city achieved several long- The mayor said, “Exit 20 is one of Legislature name the interchange for Rowland said. term goals the past year, making 2015 our most visible missions accom- him. The interchange being constructed an exciting time,” Rowland said. “But plished in 2015. Our thanks go to the “The wider turn spaces will benefit to give access to the new industrial just as exciting, Cleveland is setting Tennessee Department of trucks serving our existing park has been named for Rowland. new goals and continues to move for- Transportation and its contractors for Cleveland/Bradley County Industrial “I was proud and humbled when I ward, looking to the future for growth a dramatic overhaul of this important Park and the future Spring Branch learned this year the new access was and development.” interchange.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Martin's Press May 2015
    ST. MARTIN'S PRESS MAY 2015 Beach Town Mary Kay Andrews A delightful new novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Save The Date. Greer Hennessy is a struggling movie location scout. Her last location shoot ended in disaster when a film crew destroyed property on an avocado grove. And Greer ended up with the blame. Now Greer has been given one more chance—a shot at finding the perfect undiscovered beach town for a big budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida panhandle town. There’s one motel, a marina, a long stretch of pristine beach and an old fishing pier with a community casino—which will be perfect for the film’s climax—when the bad guys blow it up in an all­out assault on the FICTION / CONTEMPORARY townspeople. WOMEN St. Martin's Press | 5/19/2015 9781250065933 | $26.99 / $31.50 Can. Greer slips into town and is ecstatic to find the last unspoilt patch of the Florida Hardcover | 400 pages | Carton Qty: 12 gulf coast. She takes a room at the only motel in town, and starts working her 6.1 in W | 9.3 in H | 1 lb Wt charm. However, she finds a formidable obstacle in the town mayor, Eben Other Available Formats: Thinadeaux. Eben is a born­again environmentalist who’s seen huge damage done Audio ISBN: 9781427261007 Ebook ISBN: 9781466872912 to the town by a huge paper company. The bay has only recently been re­born, a Hardcover ISBN: 9781250077233 fishing industry has sprung up, and Eben has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again.
    [Show full text]
  • Wrestling Activity Sheet
    A View From My Seat Presents: BARRY’S BODY SLAMMING ACTIVITY SHEET! Welcome wrestling fans to the ultimate activity challenge! I’m Barry “The King” Binoculars! And I’m good ol’ B.R.! We’ve got some high flying grapple games and puzzles for you to print-and-play! Are you up to the task? Will you be crowned the AVFMS Champion?!?!?!?! RING THE BELL!! SUPERSTAR HOMETOWN MATCH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BRAUN STROWMAN RANDY ORTON THE UNDERTAKER KEVIN OWENS RONDA ROUSEY TOMASSO CIAMPA BRAY WYATT TOYOTA CENTER TD GARDEN STAPLES CENTER AMALIE ARENA SPECTRUM CENTER CENTRE VIDEOTRON A B C D F Houston, TX Boston, MA Los Angeles, CA Tampa, FL E Charlotte, NC Montreal, QC WRESTLING CROSSWORD You think you know wrestling? Let’s see if you can conquer this mighty crossword puzzle! Across Down 4 The King of Swing 1 Heath Slater’s Inspiration 7 Ronda or Roddy 2 Nobody Kicks out of this 11 Lives Under The Ring 3 The Man’s First Name 12 Scottish Kick 5 A City With Flair 13 $$$$urname 6 The best holiday of all 15 The True “Authority” 8 Top Guys 17 Bad Company? Or Press? 9 Jamaican Me Champion? 18 Snoopy Stadium 10 Brock’s Main Move 19 The American Dream’s 14 Rollin’s Scream Finisher 16 Protect the Business 1-2-3! we’ve got a new avfms champion Cut out your new title, slap it on your wrist, and give the world a view of your accomplishment! AVAVFMFMS Bottom CHAMPIONCHAMPION Top BARRY’S BODY SLAMMING ACTIVITY SHEET! WRESTLING CROSSWORD ANSWER KEY SUPERSTAR HOMETOWN MATCH ANSWER KEY 1=E, 2=NONE, 3=D, 4=F, 5=C, 6=A, 7=B WRESTLER PHOTO CREDITS VENUE PHOTO CREDITS 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Relational Labor and Audience Engagement in the Wwe
    Selected Papers of #AoIR2020: The 21st Annual Conference of the Association of Internet Researchers Virtual Event / 27-31 October 2020 IN THE RING AND ONLINE: RELATIONAL LABOR AND AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN THE WWE Jessa Lingel University of Pennsylvania Introduction Professional wrestling has long been of interest to cultural and media theorists (Barthes, 2015; Canella, 2016; Olson, 2018). Long before reality TV, the performativity and scripted drama of professional wrestling allowed theorists to unpack questions of fictionality and narrative authenticity. In the context of internet studies, professional wrestling raises additional questions: How do performers use social media to maintain relationships with fans? How do gender norms manifest in on-stage versus online performances of professional identity? In this extended abstract, I present key concepts and guiding research questions for an investigation of fan culture and gender norms. I then provide a brief overview of related work and describe my mixed-methods approach. As this research project is ongoing, I present preliminary findings and implications as a concluding section. Key frameworks and concepts: Relational labor and kayfabe Following Baym’s (2018) work on how musicians maintain relationships with their fans, I use the concept of relational labor to describe the work that professional wrestlers do to connect with their audience through social media. Relational labor refers to the “ongoing, interactive, affective, material and cognitive work of communicating with people over time to create structures that can support continued work” (p. 19). I use the concept as a framework for analyzing the socio-technical labor conducted by WWE performers on Instagram. I am particularly interested in thinking about how gender shapes the work of relational labor: How do professional wrestlers manage relationships with fans online? What are the gendered constraints and affordances of a platform like Instagram for fan engagement? Suggested Citation (APA): Lingel, J.
    [Show full text]