Partial Source: Pwinsider.com
— WWE sent out the following today… Kmart® Becomes Official Sponsor of WWE® STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WWE® (NYSE:WWE) and Kmart® announced today that Kmart will be the exclusive presenting sponsor of all WWE’s U.S. live events throughout 2011. The partnership encompasses promotional rights to WWE’s pop-culture extravaganza WrestleMania®, exposure at all WWE pay-per-view events and the more than 250 WWE live shows held in the U.S. throughout the year. WrestleMania XXVII will be held on Sunday, April 3 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and is expected to draw approximately 70,000 fans from all 50 states and around the world. “Kmart is excited to expand its relationship with WWE” As the exclusive presenting sponsor of WWE’s “Live Tour,” Kmart will be incorporated into all promotional elements of the live events including marketing materials, tickets and digital platforms. The partnership will also include in-program exposure, as well as :30 commercial units during WWE’s “Monday Night Raw®” on USA Network and “Friday Night SmackDown®” on Syfy. WWE will support the partnership by creating a microsite on WWE.com which will host several sweepstakes and exclusive offers; featuring ads in WWE Magazine and WWE event programs; and providing in-store appearances by WWE Superstars and Divas. “Kmart is excited to expand its relationship with WWE,” stated Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer, Kmart. “This partnership will allow our customers to engage with an exciting entertainment brand and enjoy exclusive offers and promotions throughout the year.” “The partnership between WWE and Kmart is the perfect fit,” said Michelle D. Wilson, EVP, Marketing & Sales. “The exposure Kmart will have across all of our platforms including live events, TV, pay-per-views, digital assets and talent appearances is certain to drive measurable business results.”
— Last night’s RAW broadcast on DirecTV cut to a thirty-second commercial during the brief No. 1 Contender’s Divas Battle Royal.
— Both the John Cena Experience DVD and The Best of SmackDown! 2010 are being shown on PPV this month. The WWE’s Top 50 Superstars will air in edited form next month on PPV.
— WWE Studios The Chaperone starring Triple H grossed $14,400 over its three day theatrical run last month in ten theaters.
Despite poor box office results for recent WWE Studio films, the short theatrical runs are conducted to insure that Wal-Mart will carry and promote their video releases.