WWE looking at Brazil and Russia to expand their business

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar

With international business in Europe, Middle East and Africa slipping and Asia Pacific and Latin America soaring, WWE is looking to tap into the Brazilian and Russian market to strengthen their international presence. Revenue from EMEA fell 15.8% during the last quarter while in Asia it jumped to 83.8% and 82.4% in Latin America. "We, as a company, really have never been stronger. We've seen strength across the board and our footprint today is considerably more extensive, light years away from where we were in '97" Andrew Whittaker, WWE's president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, told CNBC.com. "WWE was a cult attraction; that really is no longer the case," Whittaker added. He revealed that Brazil and Russia are WWE's next target although both territories will be hard to crack. Michael Pachter, an analyst who covers the stock at Wedbush Morgan Securities said that WWE's best way into Brazil and Russia is to adapt to the local culture and getting some of the country's home-grown talent in the ring. "We're never happy - that's very much part of the ethos of the company. We never rest on our laurels," Whittaker concluded.

With international business in Europe, Middle East and Africa slipping and Asia Pacific and Latin America soaring, WWE is looking to tap into the Brazilian and Russian market to strengthen their international presence. Revenue from EMEA fell 15.8% during the last quarter while in Asia it jumped to 83.8% and 82.4% in Latin America.

"We, as a company, really have never been stronger. We've seen strength across the board and our footprint today is considerably more extensive, light years away from where we were in '97" Andrew Whittaker, WWE's president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, told CNBC.com.

"WWE was a cult attraction; that really is no longer the case," Whittaker added.

He revealed that Brazil and Russia are WWE's next target although both territories will be hard to crack.

Michael Pachter, an analyst who covers the stock at Wedbush Morgan Securities said that WWE's best way into Brazil and Russia is to adapt to the local culture and getting some of the country's home-grown talent in the ring.

"We're never happy - that's very much part of the ethos of the company. We never rest on our laurels," Whittaker concluded.