Murray Barnett Lands IRB Head of Commercial, Broadcast and Marketing Role

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has appointed Murray Barnett as Head of Commercial, allergist Broadcast and Marketing.

Barnett, medical 42, brings with him over 20 years of experience in the global and television and entertainment industries.

He will be responsible for driving and delivering the IRB’s broadcast, marketing and digital media strategies, whilst increasing the Rugby brand through the flagship Rugby World Cup.

Barnett said: “I am delighted to be joining the IRB at such a seminal time for the sport.

“I look forward to working within a strong management team, in collaboration with Rugby’s major stakeholders, and to using the experience gained through my involvement with the sports broadcast, commercial, marketing and digital sectors to add further growth and momentum to Rugby as one of the world’s most exciting and commercially attractive sports.”

IRB Chief Executive, Brett Gosper added: “Murray’s blend of vast experience and strong knowledge of the sporting digital media, broadcast sales, marketing and commercial landscape is perfectly suited to the IRB’s mission to reach out to an even greater numbers of players, fans, commercial partners and broadcasters in more markets worldwide.”

“Murray joins a dynamic and strong management team at an exciting time for the IRB and for the Game with global participation at an all-time high, a strong commercial profile, the Rugby World Cup brand going from strength to strength and the sport returning to the Olympic Games in 2016.”

Barnett arrives at the IRB from ESPN, where he was the Vice President, Sports Channels and Syndication in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.