David McLane
Encyclopedia
David B. McLane is a senior marketing executive with over 25 years experience in identifying and producing uniquely targeted live events and media entertainment properties through his company, David McLane Enterprises, Inc. McLane has a track record of producing and implementing new concepts into market assets as exhibited by a 17-year relationship with ESPN
resulting in the creation of several branded made-for-television sports properties. However, he may be best known for the role he played as the creator and promoter of the Gorgeous Ladies of 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. 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. 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 in select markets.
(GLOW) (1986), which garnished a cult following which continues to exist today. McLane arranged for the GLOW series to be sponsored by the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada
.
(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, 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.
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.
(WOW) television series. 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. The show was pulled from the marketplace due to the advertising turn-down in 2001-02. The series' 24 one-hour programs continue to be distributed internationally.
(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
. After four seasons of play, TCP was placed on hiatus due to the economic turn-down in the auto industry and luxury real estate
market which were both key sponsors of the events.
McLane is a graduate of Indiana University
with a BA in Telecommunications and a BS in Business.
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
resulting in the creation of several branded made-for-television sports properties. However, he may be best known for the role he played as the creator and promoter of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, also known as GLOW or G.L.O.W., was a professional wrestling promotion for women, begun in 1986 and continued in various forms after it left television. Colorful characters, beautiful women, and over-the-top comedy sketches were integral to the series' success...
.
Early life
McLane grew up watching professional wrestlingProfessional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
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. 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)
World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)
The World Wrestling Association was an Indianapolis-based pro wrestling promotion which was operated by Dick "The Bruiser" Afflis and his business partner Wilbur Snyder. The WWA was affiliated with the larger American Wrestling Association and recognized its champions, though the WWA also had its...
television broadcasts. 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
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
Country Concert Tour and marketing of such groups as New Edition in select markets.
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
In 1986, McLane started the first-ever all women's wrestling television program, the Gorgeous Ladies of WrestlingGorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, also known as GLOW or G.L.O.W., was a professional wrestling promotion for women, begun in 1986 and continued in various forms after it left television. Colorful characters, beautiful women, and over-the-top comedy sketches were integral to the series' success...
(GLOW) (1986), which garnished a cult following which continues to exist today. McLane arranged for the GLOW series to be sponsored by the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
Roller Hockey
After selling GLOW, McLane partnered with ESPN for the creation of the World Roller Hockey LeagueWorld Roller Hockey League
World Roller Hockey League was a professional inline hockey league. It lasted only one season.The WRHL was the creation of promoter David McLane. WRHL games were played with a ball instead of a puck on an outdoor rink with a SportCourt surface on the beach at Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando,...
(1992); the first made-for-television roller hockey
Roller hockey
Roller Hockey is a form of hockey played on a dry surface using skates with wheels. The term "Roller Hockey" is often used interchangeably to refer to two variant forms chiefly differentiated by the type of skate used. There is traditional "Roller Hockey," played with quad roller skates, and...
league in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. 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, McLane merged the WRHL with another roller hockey start-up, Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International was a professional inline hockey league that operated in North America from 1993 to 1999. It was the first major professional league for inline hockey....
and introduced Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
and Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
to this niche sports marketplace through a league sponsorship.
In 1997, McLane again partnered with ESPN to create the Pro Beach Hockey
Pro Beach Hockey
Pro Beach Hockey was a professional inline hockey league. It lasted three seasons, 1998, 1999 and 2000.PBH games were played with a ball instead of a puck on an outdoor rink on the beach at Huntington Beach, California. The season lasted slightly less than two months in the early summer. Games...
(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
In 2000, McLane ventured back to his passion of wrestling and created the Women of WrestlingWomen of Wrestling
Women of Wrestling, aka WOW!, is a professional wrestling promotion founded in 2000 by David McLane, previously the founder of Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. It was based in Los Angeles, California...
(WOW) television series. WOW was syndicated in 100 markets, becoming the number one rated syndicated wrestling program in the markets of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and secured the advertising support of M&M Mars, Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, the U.S. Army and endorsement of the Parents Television Council
Parents Television Council
The Parents Television Council is a U.S. based advocacy group founded by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III in 1995 using the National Legion of Decency as a model...
for its creating positive female characters. The show was pulled from the marketplace due to the advertising turn-down in 2001-02. The series' 24 one-hour programs continue to be distributed internationally.
Polo
In 2003, McLane secured a strategic partnership with ESPN again as the cornerstone of developing another new venture, the Triple Crown of PoloTriple Crown of Polo
Triple Crown of Polo, started in 2006 is a ESPN2 television series exhibiting the top level league of American Polo. Started by David McLane, known for Women of Wrestling, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling and Pro Beach Hockey, the show featured three of the top tournaments in the country to appeal to...
(TCP) on ESPN. The championship series was broadcast domestically on ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
during weekends and internationally to 196 markets in twelve different languages by the ESPN International
ESPN International
ESPN International is a family of networks around the world. It was begun in 1989 and is operated by ESPN. It consists of:Asia: *ESPN SEA*ESPN SEA 2*ESPN China*ESPN Hong Kong*ESPN India*ESPN Malaysia...
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.
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. is an American jewelry and silverware company. As part of its branding, the company is strongly associated with its Tiffany Blue , which is a registered trademark.- History :...
and Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
. After four seasons of play, TCP was placed on hiatus due to the economic turn-down in the auto industry and luxury real estate
Luxury real estate
Luxury real estate is the real estate market niche targeted at the highest socio-economic group of consumers. -Definition:The characteristics that define luxury real estate differ among countries...
market which were both key sponsors of the events.
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. Scheduled to be commercially launched in the summer of 2009, the company's cornerstone product, an appetite suppressant, named Livea. McLane leads the brand initiative and his company heads the marketing campaign which will include all forms of media advertising to capture a significant segment of this ever-growing weight loss market.McLane is a graduate of Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
with a BA in Telecommunications and a BS in Business.