WWE

STAMFORD, Conn., January 10, 2023– WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that its Board of Directors unanimously elected Vince McMahon Executive Chairman of the ...

These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties relating to, without limitation, the results of these actions, as well as possible future actions noted below, of Vince McMahon; the appointment of Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan as co-Chief Executive Officers; regulatory, investigative or enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or demands arising from, related to, or in connection with these matters; our ability to remediate material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting; and reputational harm to the Company’s relationships with its stockholders, customers, talent and partners, which may have adverse financial and operational impacts, among other factors. McMahon could exercise ultimate control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock; our share repurchase program; a substantial number of shares are eligible for sale by the McMahons and the sale, or the perception of possible sales, of those shares could lower our stock price; and the volatility of our Class A common stock. Forward looking statements include statements regarding, our outlook for future financial results, the impact of recent management changes, the scope, duration and findings of the investigation being conducted by the special committee of independent members of our Board of Directors; our plans to remediate identified material weaknesses in our disclosure control and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting, and regulatory, investigative or enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or demands arising from, related to, or in connection with these matters. Forward-looking statements made by the Company speak only as of the date made and are subject to change without any obligation on the part of the Company to update or revise them. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. “I’m grateful to Vince McMahon and our Board of Directors for their ongoing support. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains, and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives may contain, forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Nick’s business acumen and mastery of the media industry have helped catapult our business to record revenue and profitability. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. The Company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. Stephanie has always been the ultimate ambassador for our company, and her decades of contributions have left an immeasurable impact on our brand.

Co-CEO and chairwoman of the board Stephanie McMahon resigned from World Wrestling Entertainment just days after her father, Vince McMahon, returned to the ...

Nick’s business acumen and mastery of the media industry have helped catapult our business to record revenue and profitability. I had the privilege to return as the Co-CEO and Chairwoman of the Board of WWE. “About 8 months ago, I took a leave of absence and within a few weeks, unexpectedly had the opportunity of a lifetime.

Vince McMahon said last week that the only way for WWE to fully capitalize on growing demand for content and live entertainment was for him to return as ...

[Vince McMahon returns to WWE after misconduct investigation](https://globalnews.ca/news/9392966/vince-mcmahon-returns-wwe/) [WWE](https://globalnews.ca/tag/wwe) CEO, the entertainment firm added. [Vince McMahon](https://globalnews.ca/tag/vince-mcmahon) as the executive chairman of the board on Tuesday, the company said, adding that co-chief executive officer and chairwoman [Stephanie McMahon](https://globalnews.ca/tag/stephanie-mcmahon) resigned from her role.

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.'s chairwoman and co-chief executive officer, Stephanie McMahon, has resigned from the company after her father's return ...

In the rvialry between WWE and UFC, Vince McMahon is poised to come out on top as expectations of a sale rise with his return to the company.

Media analysts at LightShed suggested in a 2023 outlook that Amazon may be very interested in adding WWE events to its slate of live programming. Plus, in the stock market, acquisitions tend to come at a 28% premium to a company’s stock price. Whoever the buyer, at the average price premium, Vince McMahon would find his 28.7 million shares worth $3.2 billion, putting his total wealth close to $4 billion, based on data from Forbes. That means any purchase of WWE is going to be result in lots of cash flowing to shareholders’ wallets. Founded in 1993 and not even half the age of WWE, UFC is now about even on two major metrics: social media followers (WWE 60.4 million; UFC 59.5 million) and revenue (for 2021: WWE $974 million; UFC roughly $1 billion*). The reason ties back to a common theme in sports and entertainment these days: WWE’s control of its media rights and intellectual property. [off the mark](https://www.sportico.com/personalities/executives/2023/vince-mcmahon-jumps-back-into-ring-1234700409/). Assuming the same for WWE, a 28% premium would put shares at $113. Endeavor’s heavy debt load—already a weight on the stock—is one reason the chatter that Endeavor wants to buy WWE probably won’t amount to anything. Enterprise value, which is the market cap plus debt, minus cash on hand, is probably a better reflection of a business’ true worth. And in recent years, UFC has seemed to run neck-and-neck with WWE for the title of the world’s favorite ringed event (sorry, Barnum and boxing). McMahon can offer all this in what may well be the golden age of media rights, with bidding sure to be influenced by the needs of traditional broadcasters eager to clutch whatever viewers they can as well as streaming behemoths looking to establish themselves with consumers.

Vince McMahon was 'unanimously elected' as executive chairman of the WWE board Tuesday, following the resignation of his daughter Stephanie McMahon.

"My return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder." "I'll forever be grateful that she offered to step in during my absence and I'm truly proud of the job she did co-leading WWE," he continued. "I had the privilege to return as the Co-CEO and Chairwoman of the Board of WWE. And I am grateful to all of our partners," added Stephanie. She married WWE star "Our Founder, Vince McMahon, has returned as Executive Chair and is leading an exciting process regarding strategic alternatives," added Stephanie. "I will always remain dedicated to WWE. [return as Executive Chairman](https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2022/07-22-2022-210511643) and support the management team in the negotiations for our media rights and to combine that with a review of strategic alternatives," he added. I truly love our company, our employees, our Superstars, and our fans. Together." "Thank you for everything. [Vince McMahon](https://people.com/sports/everything-to-know-about-vince-mcmahon-xfl-relaunching-this-weekend/), 77, will serve as executive chairman of the WWE board, having been " [unanimously elected](https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2023/01-10-2023-235206986)" after her announcement the company stated in a release.

Speculation about WWE's sale comes just hours after Vince McMahon was elected Executive Chairman of the Board. McMahon had announced his retirement last July, ...

US viewers can access the WWE Network via [Peacock](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=127X991730&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peacocktv.com%2F&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Ftv%2Fustv%2Fa42453393%2Fwwe-sale-saudi-arabia-public-investment-fund-rumour%2F). [WWE](https://www.digitalspy.com/wwe/) is rumoured to have agreed a sale in principle to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). "WWE is in such a strong position, that I have decided to return to my leave and take it one step further with my official resignation. Since 2014, WWE has been promoting events in Saudi Arabia. Last week he appointment himself to the company's board of directors alongside former co-presidents and directors, Michelle Wilson and George Barrio. [Bodyslam](https://www.bodyslam.net/2023/01/11/exclusive-update-on-wwe-selling-to-saudi-investment-fund/) reports claims from insiders that a deal hasn't been fully finalised, because there are certain obligations that it must first meet for a sale as a publicly-traded company.

WWE's rumored sale to Saudi Arabia has thrust its biggest star into the spotlight.

WWE is hardly the first American company Saudi Arabia has invested in. With tensions subsiding in time for the next Saudi show, and WWE continuing to reap the eight-figure benefits of Saudi shows, WWE has now gone all in on its relationship with Saudi Arabia. Those fears are justified, as Zayn has never competed at a Saudi Arabia show due to being of Syrian descent. Many are fearful that the top star will be on the outside looking in of WWE’s deal with Saudi. This has not stopped fans from rallying around Sami Zayn, who has become a popular talking point in the wrestling community. No, [not the returning Vince McMahon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUIP_6-loGQ), but rather Sami Zayn.

WWE has not been sold to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ... this according to sources familiar with the situation.

with the intent to help with TV deal negotiations and explore a potential sale of the company. A sale to Saudi Arabia would certainly cause backlash with WWE fans ... WWE Company Not Sold to Saudi Arabia ... WWE has not been sold to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ... WWE Sources Say Company Not Sold to Saudi Arabia [Vince McMahon](https://www.tmz.com/people/vince-mcmahon/) secured a massive payday for handing over the company reins to Saudi Arabia, which would take the WWE private once again.

In a since-deleted tweet, Steven Muehlhausen of DAZN reported Tuesday that WWE had been sold to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and that it would revert ...

[Cassidy Haynes](https://twitter.com/Casshooole/status/1613045348930289671) of BodySlam.net later reported that while WWE and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a deal in principle, it hasn't been finalized. Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. [Lauren Thomas](https://www.wsj.com/articles/vince-mcmahon-plots-return-to-wwe-11672952709) of the Wall Street Journal reported that McMahon was planning a WWE comeback in order to play a role in the potential sale of the company. [Alex Sherman](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html) furthered rumors of a potential sale last week when he reported that WWE hired investment banking company JPMorgan to advise it in sale discussions. [Brandon Thurston](https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1613176189610299396) of Wrestlenomics disputed reports of a sale, noting that someone in WWE "who would know" told him the Saudi Arabia rumors are untrue. [since-deleted tweet](https://wrestletalk.com/news/update-wwe-saudi-arabia-sale-agreed-in-principle/), Steven Muehlhausen of DAZN reported Tuesday that WWE had been sold to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and that it would revert to being a private company rather than a publicly traded one.

World Wrestling Entertainment elected former chief Vince McMahon as the executive chairman of the board on Tuesday, the company said, adding that co-chief ...

Vince McMahon, who ran the company for four decades, said last week that the only way for WWE to fully capitalize on growing demand for content and live entertainment was for him to return as executive chairman. Vince McMahon, 77, returned to the board last week and elected himself and two former co-presidents and directors Michelle Wilson and George Barrios to the board. [World Wrestling Entertainment elected former chief Vince McMahon](https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2023/01-10-2023-235206986) as the executive chairman of the board on Tuesday, the company said, adding that co-chief executive officer and chairwoman Stephanie McMahon resigned from her role.

Stephanie McMahon's stint as WWE (NYSE: WWE) co-CEO and chairwoman seems short-lived, and possibly permanent. The female executive announced that she's ...

“The only way for WWE to fully capitalize on this opportunity is for me to return as executive chairman and support the management team in the negotiations for our media rights and to combine that with a review of strategic alternatives. The unanimous vote to designate him back as executive chairman came after the younger McMahon announced her resignation from the company. McMahon made his eventual return to retake control of the company and its board. This was then extended through 2027 through a partnership with the General Authority for Entertainment. My return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder,” Mr. Attorney’s Office and SEC are still pending, would not be prudent from a shareholder value perspective,” the board said to Mr. McMahon said in a statement. “About 8 months ago, I took a leave of absence and within a few weeks, unexpectedly had the opportunity of a lifetime,” the 46-year old McMahon said. The expose, first released by The Wall Street Journal, started with a former WWE paralegal that was secretly paid US$3 million to bar her from discussing the alleged relationship with the firm’s chief executive and the hush deal in which Laurinaitis has allegedly had a hand in making. The female executive announced that she’s stepping down just days after her father, Vincent McMahon, returned to the company’s board of directors and reappointed himself as executive chairman. The 77-year old wrestling promoter justified his return with intentions of pursuing a potential sale, getting involved in WWE’s media rights deals, and maximizing shareholder value. Early findings of the board indicate that Mr.

The stock rose as much as 2.5% in early Wednesday trading following a report about the company's alleged pending sale to the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth ...

The long-time WWE CEO and chairman McMahon [resigned](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/06/17/vince-mcmahon-steps-down-as-wwe-ceo-amid-3-million-hush-pact-investigation/?sh=395f42dc278c) from the company in June and [retired](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/22/vince-mcmahon-retires-from-wwe-under-cloud-of-misconduct-probe/?sh=3899789c5253) from the company in July following the revelation of [millions](https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/07/25/wwe-discloses-millions-in-vince-mcmahon-expensesbut-companys-stock-still-soars/?sh=5a5ef7f263e1) of dollars in company funds going toward “hush” payments to former employees accusing him of sexual misconduct. McMahon officially [took over](https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2023/01-10-2023-235206986) as chairman late Tuesday, while his daughter Stephanie McMahon simultaneously resigned from her role as co-CEO and chairwoman in what the elder McMahon described as a “personal decision.” The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund made waves in American sports in 2022, [dishing out](https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2022/08/12/majors-monopolies-megabucks-and-donald-trump-inside-the-business-of-the-new-saudi-golf-league/?sh=18f414073ef5) billions of dollars in its financing of LIV Golf, the controversial PGA Tour competitor that lured top American golfers like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau with its nine-figure paydays. [Vince McMahon Retires From WWE Under Cloud Of Misconduct Probe](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/22/vince-mcmahon-retires-from-wwe-under-cloud-of-misconduct-probe/?sh=7faf1c4f5253) (Forbes) [Vince McMahon’s WWE Sale Would Body Slam UFC](https://www.sportico.com/personalities/owners/2023/vince-mcmahon-wwe-sale-would-body-slam-ufc-1234700896/) (Sportico) [estimate](https://www.forbes.com/profile/vincent-mcmahon/?sh=7fcfb861b897) McMahon to be worth $2.9 billion, with his fortune up substantially from the $2.3 billion it stood at as of his [June resignation](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/06/17/vince-mcmahon-steps-down-as-wwe-ceo-amid-3-million-hush-pact-investigation/?sh=395f42dc278c). [said](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230106005293/en/WWE-Provides-Update-Regarding-Composition-of-Its-Board-of-Directors-and-Exploration-of-Strategic-Alternatives) last week it planned to “undertake a review of its strategic alternatives with the goal being to maximize value for all WWE shareholders,” indicating it was likely mulling a sale, and CNBC [reported](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html) Saturday the firm has retained JPMorgan Chase to advise on such a transaction. [said](https://twitter.com/RichLightShed/status/1613167493580734476) LightShed Partners’ Rich Greenfield on Twitter, while Cannonball Research’s Vasily Karasyov noted in an email the original tweet was deleted and wrote in a recent note that the WWE would need to complete media rights negotiations in order for a sale to “make sense” for any bidder, with its television deal set to expire next year.

Stephanie's father, Vince, has now returned as chair - after she became co-CEO and chairwoman in July.

Stephanie has been a part of the company since the 1990s, appearing as an in-ring performer and leading the company in various roles behind the scenes. "Stephanie has always been the ultimate ambassador for our company, and her decades of contributions have left an immeasurable impact on our brand," Vince McMahon said. "I look forward to cheering on WWE from the other side of the business," Stephanie wrote in her resignation statement.

Rumors of a sale to Saudi Arabia have thrown wrestling's biggest company into turmoil.

This isn’t a done deal yet, but it seems to be on the ropes — and the future of wrestling could be very scary if this is finalized. A sale to the PIF would not carry on that legacy. A sale to the PIF would maximize the amount of money for a sale, with the additional benefit being that as a buyer they would be far less likely to scrutinize financials or worry about making a return on investment. Vince McMahon is unquestionably one of the worst employers in the United States when it comes to the rights of his workers. This is what’s often missed in the discussion of PIF-owned entities. Still, it’s a far cry from suddenly becoming the employee of a country with a laundry list of human rights violations. Complete with a host of wrestlers speaking on camera about how lovely Saudi Arabia is, how kind people are, bragging about the country’s cleanliness, and telling a predominantly western audience what a wonderful place it is to visit. Of course, this is designed to distract from the fact that anyone found to be LGBTQ can tortured, sentenced to life imprisonment, or be subject to chemical castration. So let’s slow things down, discuss what the hell is actually happening, and what this means for the future of professional wrestling — not just in terms of WWE, but for the industry as a whole. Significant investment, often far above “accepted” market rates, is made into a team, league, or sport as a whole — with an expectation that in exchange the beneficiary will help perform public relations for Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday night reports and rumors swirled that the world’s largest professional wrestling company was in the process of being sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the same entity which has heavily invested in Formula 1, initiated a takeover of We can pump the brakes on the sale reports right now, because this isn’t something that can happen in the dead of night without significant regulatory hoops to jump through.

Rumors swirled Wednesday that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund was eyeing a purchase of the WWE amid Stephanie McMahon's sudden departure as ...

Are You Asking It Already? [January 11, 2023] [the Hottest Franchises to Watch in 2023](/article/442326) [This One Question Will Make You a Better Thinker](/article/442557). [Front Office Sports](https://frontofficesports.com/public-investment-fund-saudi-arabia-wwe-sale-liv-golf-vince-mcmahon/) claimed that the PIF had been eyeing a purchase of the WWE, with some "sources" even seeming to indicate that the deal was already done. [Deadspin](https://deadspin.com/wwe-sold-saudi-arabia-vince-mcmahon-sportswashing-1849973522) and wrestling outlet [BodySlam.net](https://www.bodyslam.net/2023/01/11/vince-mcmahon-has-been-working-on-saudi-arabia-wwe-deal-since-his-retirement/). The world of the WWE this week has proven to be more chaotic than a Friday Night SmackDown show as rumors swirl that the company may soon be (or secretly has been) sold to a Saudi Arabian company amid the departure of current Co-CEO and Chairwoman Stephanie McMahon.

Her departure comes less than a week after her retired father Vince announced he wanted to regain control of the entertainment company.

Prior to founding Isos with Barrios, Wilson was co-president and a board member of WWE until January 2020. Stephanie McMahon has resigned as chairwoman and co-CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. “I’d like to express my full support for Stephanie’s personal decision,” Vince McMahon said.

Vince McMahon is back. A sale to Saudi Arabia seems imminent. Here are all your questions about the state of the WWE answered (as best we can).

[antics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdeqB6Rdalc) as the goofy, adopted brother of Samoan family the Bloodline (led by current WWE Champion Roman Reigns) have seen his popularity skyrocket. However, Zayn was [ reportedly](https://cultaholic.com/posts/report-claims-saudi-government-told-wwe-to-remove-sami-zayn-from-super-showdown-due-to-his-ethnicity) barred from performing at all of WWE’s eight Saudi events thus far because of his Syrian ethnicity. [ walking out during live TV](https://www.vulture.com/2022/05/sasha-banks-naomi-wwe-walkout-suspension.html)), but Levesque’s installment brought with it several renewed stories, an increased focus on viral marketing, the re-hiring of numerous wrestlers who’d been let go in recent months, and a general [morale boost](https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-backstage-morale-has-reportedly-greatly-improved-under-triple-h-recent-changes/) among talent. No decision seems too ruthless for McMahon, who — in a particularly Logan Roy move — ousted [his own son](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-real-reason-wwe-chairman-vince-mcmahon-fired-his-son-shane-mcmahon-randy-orton/) from the company last year over creative disagreements. [recently formed Time Warner Discovery](https://www.vulture.com/article/is-hbo-max-going-away-warner-bros-discovery-streaming.html), which has its own wrestling broadcasting deal with rival company AEW, has been at the center of several streaming controversies (mostly involving [shuttered productions and properties being removed from HBO Max](https://www.vulture.com/article/hbo-max-removing-shows-movies-list.html)). Or, in the words of Succession’s Cousin Greg: “If it is to be said, so it is.” [the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45812399). Meanwhile Disney, which has a [deal](https://www.cagesideseats.com/2022/10/17/23408998/aaas-marvel-lucha-libre-disney-plus-show-trailer-premiere-date) in place with Mexican wrestling promotion AAA (involving the creation of several Marvel-themed wrestlers, and even a Disney+ series), has nabbed an increased market share of global film and television in recent years. [Succession](https://www.vulture.com/tv/succession/). He and wife Stephanie are believed to be well-liked backstage, and the latter’s departure already [ appears to have](https://wrestletalk.com/news/wwe-morale-stephanie-mcmahon-resignation/) caused unhappiness behind the scenes. Others, however, [ report](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10061294-report-wwe-doesnt-have-deal-to-sell-to-saudi-arabias-public-investment-fund) that WWE is still exploring its options. After McMahon’s retirement in July, his son-in-law, Paul Levesque — formerly the wrestler Triple H — was promoted to chief content officer and filled in for McMahon on day-to-day creative decisions.

As World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Chief Vince McMahon returned as chairman of the company in January 2023, just months after retiring following sexual ...

Accessed 11 Jan. ESPN.Com, 11 Jan. Bloody Elbow, 11 Jan. BodySlam.Net, 11 Jan. TMZ, https://www.tmz.com/2023/01/11/wwe-sources-company-not-sold-saudi-arabia/. Here's Who Might Want to Buy It." "Vince McMahon Is Back at WWE to Ensure a Smooth Sale Process. For now we rate this claim as a "Research in Progress." Indeed, rumors about the WWE have increased accusations of " [sportswashing](https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2023/1/11/23549833/saudi-arabia-bid-buy-wwe-wrestling-politics-sportswashing-news)," which many argue involves the country spending billions of dollars on high-profile sports and entertainment events to distract from their human rights violations. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html) also reported that legacy media, streaming giants, and entertainment holding companies could all submit bids. So far, we have no real confirmation that such a sale is taking place. [returned](https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/35422004/stephanie-mcmahon-resigns-wwe-nick-khan-now-sole-ceo) as chairman of the company in January 2023, just months after retiring following sexual harassment allegations, many speculated about the future of the professional wrestling juggernaut.

01/04 Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell (Episode 239): Powell's review of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 · 12/30 Dot Net Weekly Five-Year Flashback: John ...

If nothing else, it’s encouraging to see Paul Levesque still listed as the head of creative, though there’s nothing stopping Vince from reinserting himself into that position. Powell’s POV: The shakeup continues at WWE following Vince McMahon forcing himself back into the leadership role. [@prowrestlingnet](https://twitter.com/prowrestlingnet))

As rumours swirl regarding the future of WWE with Vince McMahon's return, here is a look at who could seriously purchase the sports entertainment giant.

Many feel that if the PIF walks away with WWE as part of its portfolio it is the most likely suitor to keep Vince McMahon as the man in charge, which might be an attractive proposition to McMahon. Dwayne Johnson conquered the world of WWE, earning himself millions and millions of fans before leaving for Hollywood and conquering the movie world as well. With Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ as part of their portfolio, The Walt Disney Company has no shortage of outlets to put WWE on should they choose to buy the company. Given its history as being seen as a competitor to WWE, this might put Endeavor putting in a bid should the opportunity arise. Now could be the time to invest that profit for some long-term gains. Although Vince McMahon and the Board are projecting a “business as usual” as far as day-to-day business goes, many fans seem unconvinced that the Executive Chairman won’t try and resume control of the creative functions of the company.