It has also found a chief commercial officer
Premiership Rugby has appointed Zoe Clapp as its chief marketing officer.
Meanwhile, Mark Brittain has joined the organisation as chief commercial officer.
Clapp was formerly at UKTV, where she spent 15 years and before she left was the chief marketing and communications officer. In her new role she will be responsible for marketing and brand, events, communications, social and digital products. She is starting her position with a full brand and creative review – as she is tasked with growing the popularity and reach of the sport.
Brittain will be leading Premiership Rugby’s commercial strategy. He was chief executive of Sports Rights Management, and has experience with the likes of esports business Gfinity and Simon Cowell’s SyCo Entertainment.
Both will start their roles on 24 February, and will report to chief executive Darren Childs. They will be joining the company as it looks to grow the value of their rights and explore new markets and partnerships. BT Sport own the rights in the UK, but their current deal ends after the 2020-21 campaign.
Clapp said on joining: “Sport has the power to entertain fans, transform lives and create moments that shape culture. Whether working with the league’s world-class players to reach new audiences or driving rugby’s vital inclusivity agenda, there are opportunities for Premiership Rugby to become more popular and successful in the years ahead.”
Chief executive Childs added: “As we set out on ambitious plans to grow the sport of club rugby, Zoe and Mark will play key roles in building our brand, reaching new audiences, and delivering commercial growth.”