Queensland Rugby has announced two senior appointments in its Commercial Sales team, in an effort to boost corporate sponsorship with the Queensland Reds.
The new Corporate Sales Manager is Media sales, sponsorship and corporate hospitality professional Justin Barlow and New Business Manager is sports industry corporate sales and sponsorship specialist Patrick Wood.
The appointments follow a revamp of the organisation’s Commercial team after the recent Queensland Rugby Annual General Meeting recorded a loss of over $3 million for 2009. During the meeting it was also revealed that income generation fell by 21 percent in the 2009.
The previous experience of Barlow and Wood in NRL and AFL markets will bring a wealth of new knowledge to the company, according to Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael.
“This wealth of sporting commercial experience covering both the NRL and AFL markets as well as other professional sports will assist us in delivering a stronger commercial position for rugby in Queensland, seizing the opportunities presented by the success of the Reds and by engaging the broader Queensland rugby community,” Mr Carmichael said.
Mr Barlow said it was an ideal move professionally and a great opportunity in his career to work for Queensland Rugby.
“It’s especially exciting to have come aboard at a time when the Reds are on the move under Head Coach Ewen McKenzie, bringing crowds back to rugby with their thrilling style of play and boasting some of the most exciting and marketable young talents in the game,” Mr Barlow said.
Mr Woods said he was looking forward to applying his professional skills in a rugby environment after several years in rugby league and AFL.
“Jim Carmichael, with his high level experience at the AFL and Daniel Herbert have taken Queensland Rugby’s commercial effort up a few gears so, professionally, it’s a tremendous opportunity to join the organisation at this time,” Mr Woods said.
