World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Andrew Whitaker
will take on additional responsibilities and head up WWE International
effective immediately.
In his new role as Executive Vice President, Whitaker will be
responsible for determining the strategic direction for WWE’s business
outside of the U.S. across all revenue streams. He will report directly
to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and has been named an Executive
Officer of the company. Whitaker will relocate back to WWE’s global
headquarters in Stamford.
Whitaker joined WWE in 1987 as part of the team delivering television
syndication and developing WWE’s pay-per-view business. He moved to
WWE’s international division in 1991, working in live events,
international television and the pay-per-view business from WWE's London
office, where Whitaker negotiated the largest international television
contracts in the company's history. In November 2007, Whitaker began
managing several of WWE’s regional business units internationally and
his role was expanded in January 2009 to include all areas outside of
the U.S.
"Andrew has been instrumental to WWE’s international growth. We are
confident that he will continue to expand the breadth and depth of
opportunities for WWE internationally,” said Vince McMahon.
Whitaker commenced his career at NBC in New York, working on shows that
include NBC News, Late Night with David Letterman, The
Today Show, Saturday Night Live and The Cosby Show. He
sits on the international program advisory board for the Banff World
Television Festival and nextMedia, International Interactive Media
Festival and is also a member of the International Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences.
About WWE
World
Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE:
WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in
global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses
that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global
audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG
content across all of its platforms including television
programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming
is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches
more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in
Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London,
Shanghai, Tokyo, Toronto and Sydney.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:
WWE) can be found at corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global
activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All WWE programming,
talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks,
copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling
Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos
and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This
news release 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 the conditions of the markets for live events,
broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature
films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise;
acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those
markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with
producing live events both domestically and internationally;
uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to
maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television
distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time
to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or
anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend
is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical
and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and
condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of
dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider
relevant.
