Octagon has worked on all major rugby properties since the dawn of the professional era and has been delivering against brand and business objectives for clients for over a decade, from domestic to global campaigns.
We have managed and delivered commercial programmes for governing bodies, including the British & Irish Lions and the European Rugby Cup. We have secured strategic sponsorship deals on behalf of the rugby players we represent – deals that align with their personal brand and image including with Tesco, Nike and British Airways.
Pioneers in Rugby
We re-branded English domestic rugby twice and managed the inaugural shirt sponsorship of the British & Irish Lions. We also generated revenue of over £10million for their 2005 tour of New Zealand. We revolutionised the commercial delivery of the Heineken Cup, setting consistent standards across 24 European clubs. We brokered the Lloyds TSB and Five Nations sponsorship, securing title sponsorship of the tournament for the first time.
We have been at the forefront of player representation since the day rugby went professional, with Ben Clarke’s move to Richmond from Bath the first big move and major contract in professional rugby. We helped Jason Robinson OBE become one of the highest paid and most respected players in the game and have exclusively managed his career since he switched codes.
Unique Insights
Whether our clients want to understand the commercial implications of the club versus country debate or how to make their sponsorship truly engage fans in an increasingly cluttered environment, we have the rugby experience and consumer insights that they need.
Passion Drivers™ allows our clients to shape their marketing strategies more effectively, by targeting and engaging the right consumers for their brand. Our four rugby typologies include the ‘Shedheads’ who live and die for club rugby and the ‘Jonny Come Latelys’ who only became interested in the sport after England’s World Cup Triumph of 2003.
To find out more, contact us