Mark Robinson: NZ Rugby CEO on the new sponsorship deal with Gallagher Insurance

New Zealand Rugby have secured a new sponsor. 

They’ve partnered with American company Gallagher Insurance, who’s logo will appear on both the training and match day shorts of all our national teams. 

It comes two months after Ineos terminated their $21 million a year contract with the union. 

NZR CEO Mark Robinson told Mike Hosking Gallagher’s got a deep connection with the sport, having been involved with World Rugby and the English Premiership, as well as already being involved in NZ rugby at the provincial level. 

He says they’re connected to the values and ethos of the game, and they obviously feel that there’s a strong opportunity for branding, as well as business opportunities. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So having signed to our to the other day, the
rugby union back with a bigger deal. This one's with
the American insurance player Gallagher market cap of over eighty billion.
US logo will appear on both the training and matchday
shorts of all their national teams. Mark Robinson's the Boston
New Zealand Rugby and is back with US Mark Morning
mording Mike, what's their interest in rugby.

Speaker 2 (00:18):
Well, they've just got a really deep connection with the
sport right around the world, to be honest, Mike. They've
been involved with World rugby, with the Premiership in England.
You know, they're involved in New Zealand rugby across the
provincial scene here already, and I think spending time with
them yesterday and last night, you know, they're really connected

(00:39):
into the values of the game, the ethos of the
sport they love, and they obviously feel that there's strong
opportunity for branding but also for business opportunities as well.
So I think it a really basically but it's about people,
the values of the sport and the fit of the
two organizations long term, we certainly hope. So you know,

(01:02):
this is out to the end of twenty seven at
the stage. But you know, I'm sure both organizations be
working really hard at the partnership to create.

Speaker 1 (01:11):
The only for the long term good dollars.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
You know, you're was obliged to ask the question. Might
we're really happy with the deal and you know, we're
delighted as you say, you mentioned the Toyota one getting
across the line recently. You know, those those combined have
been a really good last month or so.

Speaker 1 (01:31):
So in other words, post in the os that's this
has all these have solved your problems and maybe then
some oh look, I'm.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Not going to get into the detail that might, but
we're really, as we said around the Nios settlement, where
we're pleased with the outcome there. We're delighted to bring
two brands like Toyota and Gallagher on board, and we're
in a really good space in the in the sponsorship area.

Speaker 1 (01:52):
It does show you how sort of international the ald
Blacks are because any oss with no disrespect to them,
and they weren't a name known widely in New Zealand.
And I don't think Gallagher is either. You know, it's
not a retail brand. In other words, it's not a
name that you identify with like Toyota or like Bunnings,
so clearly it's an international play on their part.

Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, Like I said, I've obviously been looking at rugby
properties and a whole lot of other different sporting properties
are involved with and they see value in sport and
they see you know, certainly they see value in rugby
over the last ten years or so. And the Orblex
is clearly and Black Ferns is clearly a couple of
properties that they also want to be identified closely with.

(02:34):
So yeah, there's really strong recognition of the the brands
and the organization right around the world as we've been
sort of talking about for the last little while.

Speaker 1 (02:40):
Good stuff, all right, good to catch up. Well done
Mark Robinson, who's in rugby CEO. Maybe the make aprofit
next year, you never know. For more from the Mic
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