Partial Source: Pwinsider.com
— As noted late last night here on the website, the previously-reported plans to turn Randy Orton heel are still in place. Orton, who has been requesting the turn for a while, is set to turn shortly after WrestleMania 29.
— As previously reported, WWE Creative VP Eric Pankowksi is no longer with the company. Former WWE creative team member Court Bauer first posted the news via Twitter. Pankowski was hired back on February 1st, 2012. Sources in the company say that Pankowski was let go because he was not receptive to other people’s ideas, which cost him allies in the company. Pankowski also reportedly didn’t know how to deal with personalities and would get into arguments with talent over what would and wouldn’t work on TV. The situation was described a “Hollywood mindset not adapting to the pro wrestling mindset, and instead trying to force the opposite.”
Few people are said to be surprised by the change, other than the fact that it came before WrestleMania.
Former RAW creative team leader Brian Gewirtz is still with the company, but his contract is believed to be expiring soon, and long time writer Ed Koskey is still with the company. At this time there is no telling who may take over the position.
Wednesday, WWE posted a job listing seeking a new Vice President for Creative Writing.
WWE posted a job listing seeking a new Vice President for Creative Writing. The position “will be responsible for the creative content strategy and direction for all weekly TV programming. He/She will manage the Head Writer, Show Runners, and the writing team, provide long-term direction in the development of story lines and WWE superstar characters, and be the primary liaison with other partner departments especially including Talent, TV and Digital.”
Listed among the responsibilities are:
* Develop and implement creative storylines for broadcast on all WWE programs and platforms in coordination with the writing team and senior creative management (CEO, EVP,SVP)
* Work with Talent Department to develop powerful character back-stories
* Manage the Head Writer, the home-based writers, and the road writing team by providing feedback, training and supervision.
* Use consumer insights and social media to deliver impactful storylines that are consistent with the WWE brand and each talent’s skills and history.
* Identify new writing talent and ensure that current writers’ work is aligned with the network’s brand and programming strategy.
* Supervise Head Writer in creating a comprehensive training program for new writers and remedial training for existing writers.
* Work with senior management to continually improve the process supporting WWE’s creative writing system.
* Provide mature leadership to the writing team, relating to the implementation of the vision of senior management (CEO, EVP, SVP
* Drive professional interaction with other departments of the WWE (Talent Development, TV Production, Marketing, Digital, Sales and HR)
