David McLane

For the American merchant hanged as a French spy by the British, see David McLane (merchant).
David McLane

David B. McLane is known for the role he played as the creator and promoter of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, WOW! Women of Wrestling, both nationally syndicated series and for creating the ESPN series of the World Roller Hockey League, Pro Beach Hockey and the Triple Crown of Polo.

Early life

McLane grew up watching professional wrestling on television with his older brothers, and attended live events in his hometown of Indianapolis. McLane's professional career started as a teenager when he launched the Dick the Bruiser Fan Club, which sold photographs of the wrestling star and local professional wrestlers through mail order.[1] McLane was soon brought in to work in the office of Bruiser's Indianapolis-based wrestling promotion. As he learned the ropes of promotion and marketing, McLane eventually became the ring announcer and match commentator for the World Wrestling Association (WWA) television broadcasts.[2] Following in the footsteps of Jim Barnett, McLane was a flamboyantly enthusiastic behind-the-scenes presence in the Indianapolis promotion, having stared down Stormy Granzig's sub-equatorial bulk in a harrowing scene that would have left a lesser man than Granzig recoiling in post-traumatic angst. At this same time, McLane started his own promotional company to promote live events and concerts throughout the Midwest, including the stadium presentation of the Budweiser Country Concert Tour and marketing of such groups as New Edition[3] in select markets.

Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling

In 1986, McLane started the first-ever all women's wrestling television program, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) (1986), which garnered a cult following which continues to exist today.[4] McLane arranged for the GLOW series to be sponsored by the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.[5][6]

Roller Hockey

After selling GLOW, McLane partnered with ESPN for the creation of the World Roller Hockey League (1992); the first made-for-television roller hockey league in the United States. He arranged for these events to be sponsored by Franklin Sports and Walt Disney World where the resort staged the events from their MGM Studios grounds. Following the first season which generated 68 hours of programming for ESPN,[7] McLane merged the WRHL with another roller hockey start-up, Roller Hockey International and introduced Pepsi and Taco Bell to this niche sports marketplace through a league sponsorship.[8]

In 1997, McLane again partnered with ESPN to create the Pro Beach Hockey (PBH) (1997) series, with over 156 hours of original programming for ESPN. . McLane worked in concert with ESPN sales to close deals with several major advertisers during the three year presentation managing the on-sight and television integration of all sponsorship sales.

Women of Wrestling

Selina Majors entering among the fans at a WOW! Women of Wrestling event

In 2000, McLane ventured back to his passion of wrestling and created the Women of Wrestling (WOW) television series.[9] WOW was syndicated in 100 markets, becoming the number one rated syndicated wrestling program in the markets of New York and Los Angeles and secured the advertising support of M&M Mars, Universal Studios, the U.S. Army and endorsement of the Parents Television Council for its creating positive female characters. McLane and his business partner, Jeanie Buss re-packaged WOW! in 2011 and aired its programs in select cities. The Las Vegas market aired the show each Sunday afternoon on KTNV Ch. 13.[10] Live events were staged in 2012 and 2013 in Las Vegas at the Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel resulting a new HD programs. The series' 24 one-hour programs continue to be distributed internationally.

In December 2014, WOW! announced their launch into digital media in 2015. Marketed as "WOW Superheroes" Its characters are empowered women from all different backgrounds and professions.[11]

Polo

David McLane with ESPN Executive James Allegro and the Triple Crown of Polo trophy
David McLane with artist Leroy Neiman and his Triple Crown of Polo mural

In 2003, McLane secured a strategic partnership with ESPN again as the cornerstone of developing another new venture, the Triple Crown of Polo (TCP) on ESPN. The championship series was broadcast domestically on ESPN2 during weekends and internationally to 196 markets in twelve different languages by the ESPN International network. The program was designed to reach an elite target demographic and, in doing so, secured long-term agreements for tournament play with premier polo clubs. McLane crafted and managed the strategic partnerships with founding sponsors Tiffany & Co. and Lexus.[12][13][14]

Marketing

In 2008, McLane played an instrumental role in the start-up of a new company for the introduction of a series of non-pharmaceutical/nutraceutical products. Following the completion of clinical trials, McLane oversaw the entry of three products into the U.S. market through direct-response TV, online, and print media. The company's cornerstone product, an appetite suppressant, named Livea is patent pending and was endorsed by NBC’s The Biggest Loser first female winner Kia Hibbard.[15][16]

McLane is a graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Telecommunications and a BS in Business.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/information-services/10617170-1.html
  2. ↑ http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=007782;p=0
  3. ↑ Indianapolis Review, April 16, 1984, Entertainment Section P2, “Stay in School and Strive for Good Grades”
  4. ↑ http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wherearetheynow/ivory WWE
  5. ↑ http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/Gorgeous+Ladies+of+Wrestling The Free Dictionary
  6. ↑ http://infao5501.ag5.mpi-sb.mpg.de:8080/topx/archive09?link=/297/2737297.xml mpi sb de
  7. ↑ http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13116023.html Encyclopedia
  8. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/22/business/media-business-advertising-pepsico-puts-its-skates-participate-sponsor-friendly.html?pagewanted=1 NY Times
  9. ↑ http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/prevost/04.html On Line World of Wrestling
  10. ↑ "Women of Wrestling - WOWE - New Website Coming Soon". WOWE. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  11. ↑ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the1stmovement-pins-wow-women-wrestling-150000037.html;_ylt=A0LEVyAkcJJU4DYAysFXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzMG5kc2J0BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1NNRTYxMl8x
  12. ↑ http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7186308 Business Week
  13. ↑ http://www.slate.com/id/2140502/ Slate
  14. ↑ http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/16394/ NY Mag
  15. ↑ http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/former-biggest-loser-competitor-kai-hibbard-calls-the-show-unhealthy/1084764
  16. ↑ http://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/livea/

External links