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Luisi said that he was going to discuss their new strategies. He said that in the past, they were handling PG family friendly product. He said that they have new strategies in content and distribution.
He said that the company will now be doing PG-13 and R rated films as well as different genre films (horror, sci-fi, drama, etc.) as well as their PG films. He said that for every WWE fan watching a film of these genre, they are four times the amount of people watching those genres. He said that much like the WWE fan, those genres have their own hardcore fan base, which allows them to expand and attract those fans to their offerings.
Luisi said that another thing they will be doing is working on pre-existing franchises, producing sequels as a way to tap into their fan base and broaden their own film base beyond the WWE fan base. This would allow their to get involved in third party content that WWE wouldn't be involved in otherwise. This will allow them to place Superstars in starring roles but also in "strategic" supporting roles in larger productions. He said it will make it a little more seamless for the outside audience to accept the WWE talent.
Luisi said that they have also begun acquiring completed films. This allows them to take films, brand them as a WWE film and market them over their other properties.
Luisi said that every feature film going forward will have a 50% partner going forward, which reduces their risk and gives them a partner that has a earned interest in the films' success going forward. It will also allow them to tap into international distribution for their films, maximizing their reach and profile. He said that it will allow them to participate in their own product and film that have been developed elsewhere, which is totally different from what they had been doing.
He said that they will be taking full advantage with the company's marketing platforms going forward, noting the success of their TV programming. He described it as "fertile ground" to market and integrate their films, similar to how The Muppets and Hugh Jackman have appeared to promote their films. They have a built-in audience unlike anyone else.
He began talking up their upcoming film slate and their partners, including "The Day" which they acquired last year at the Toronto International Film Festival in August. "No One Lives" which feature Brodus Clay in a supporting role. It will be released in 2013. "Dead Man Down" is filming right now, starring Colin Farrel. They will shoot the "Marine: Homefront" in June, the first in a three film deal with 20 Century FOX. They said a WWE star will be announced shortly as the star. Lionsgate will partner with them in the new Leprechaun, which will be the first of a two picture deal. He said it's an example of WWE coming on board to an outside franchise.
Luisi said they have an exciting slate of projects planned and he felt they would see a real difference going forward with the Studio.
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