need help with custom variable in header template

[LifesGreatestGift]

yes i've looked at the register variables article. still couldn't figure it out.

ive tried a few things and cannot get it to render
hook location: process_templates_complete

PHP Code:

$menuUrl = $vbulletin->options['bburl'] . "/menu/index.html"; 
$menuContent = file_get_contents($menuUrl); 

$menuContent = $templater->render(); 
vB_Template::preRegister('header',array('menuContent' => $menuContent)); 


tried {vb:raw menuContent} in header template, didnt work.

PHP Code:

$menuUrl = $vbulletin->options['bburl'] . "/menu/index.html"; 
$menuContent = file_get_contents($menuUrl); 

$templater->register('menuContent', $menuContent); 
$templatevalues['our_network'] = $templater->render(); 
vB_Template::preRegister('header', $templatevalues); 


tried {vb:raw our_network} in header template and it didnt work.

Not sure what I am doing wrong.