According to Pro Wrestling Insider, WWE’s EVP of Marketing Kurt Schneider gave his notice about two weeks ago, and will be leaving WWE to join the Harlem Globetrotters organization. Mike Johnson reports that “word going around” is that he was unhappy with being micromanaged, and that since his department had very high morale, many people within the company aren’t happy he is leaving.
Here is Schneider’s bio from WWE’s corporate site:
Kurt Schneider
Executive Vice President, MarketingAs Executive Vice President of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Kurt Schneider is responsible for the company’s global marketing, Pay-Per-View, live events, and strategic business operations.
Since joining World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. in February of 2003, Mr. Schneider has been responsible for the fully integrated brand strategies and activities across the company’s core business areas of pay-per-view, television, live events, Internet, and consumer products. He also directs all advertising, promotions, PR, corporate communications, cause-related marketing, and government affairs, and has kept WWE on the cutting-edge of popular entertainment.
Beyond his marketing responsibilities, Schneider has full P&L responsibility and management accountability for Pay-Per-View television programs and all global Live Events; additionally, he co-leads the high-growth International business unit. All three of these businesses have increased their revenues and profitability during his tenure. Additionally, Mr. Schneider is a leader of the company’s strategic business planning group, directing WWE’s future business opportunities.
Prior to joining WWE, Schneider was President and CEO of Asimba, Inc., the dominant on-line sports and fitness resource. During his tenure, Schneider built Asimba into the leader in the competitive and cluttered sports and fitness category. As a result, Forbes, US News and World Report, Yahoo, PC Data and others all voted Asimba as the best web site in its category. Recognizing the soft economic marketplace in 2001, he sold Asimba to Weider Publishing Company.
Before taking the CEO position at Asimba, Schneider served as Vice President of Marketing for FOX Sports Net from its inception in September 1996 to October 1999. In his position as head of marketing, he reported directly to the COO and was responsible for developing, launching and building the profitable FOX Sports Net brand, including all creative, media, on-air, and promotional plans.
Schneider previously served as Director of New Business Development and Director of Corporate Alliances for the Walt Disney Company, building the American Express, Coca-Cola, and Kodak relationships.
Schneider began his career in advertising, spending seven years at Chiat/Day and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Schneider won the 2004 Promax & BDA, Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News Brand Builder award. He has been a keynote speaker at the “What Men Want†conference, the annual PMA conference, the annual ANA Sponsorship conference, and the national eTail conference. He was also a 2005 Blue Ribbon judge for the Super Reggie award and a participant in the Harvard Business Review CMO Roundtable.
He serves on the Board of Directors of The Apollo Theater Foundation in New York City where he is Chairman of the Marketing Committee, Leader of the Programming task force, and a member of the Executive Committee. He also serves on the March of Dimes Sports Luncheon Committee.
A 1987 graduate of Dartmouth College, Schneider holds a B.A. in English Literature.
