December 1, 2008

CableFAX: 39. The Ring-Masters: Linda and Vince McMahon

Linda and Vince McMahon
Titles: CEO, WWE (Linda); Chmn, WWE (Vince)
Last Year: #69
Age: Wouldn’t you like to know (Linda); 63 (Vince)
Ed: (Linda) E Carolina U, BS, Education, major in French; trained as a paralegal in probate dept of Covington & Burling, Wash, D.C. (Vince) E Carolina U

Why Them? WWE’s power couple delivers top ratings to USA nearly every week. Is that Raw determination or what? While Vince remains the consummate showman, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year, cable tongues still wag over the speech-without-notes Linda delivered at the Wonder Women lunch a few years back. Linda translates Vince’s glitz into dollars for publicly traded WWE and leads its global foray. She also spearheads WWE’s push on literacy and voting. One of Vince’s public efforts in ’08 was the Million Dollar Mania sweepstakes, where the prize reportedly came from his wallet; viewers spiked 25% on the contest.

Year Ahead:
Though WWE rules, ratings have slipped a bit as other screens vie for viewers.

Linda

Favorite Restaurants: Vabella, Greenwich, CT; New York Prime, Boca Raton, FL

Favorite Music: Adult rock, Motown classics, new country

Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy

In ’09 I Resolve To: Serve in some way to improve our educational systems

Favorite Part of My Job: Mentoring

Best Business Advice Received: Nothing happens in business until a sale is made

I Wish My Grandkids Would: Bottle some energy and give it to me for Xmas

The Trait I Most Admire In People: The ability to listen and be open-minded

Favorite Sports Team: Yankees

Vince

Food: Meat

Drink of Choice: Water

Favorite Music: Classic Rock

Unnecessary Luxury I Like Most Is:  All Luxuries are unnecessary

I Love: Filling out questionnaires

CO/SA

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