Super Rugby Pacific appoint CEO to stop the rot

The Super Rugby Pacific Board has appointed Jack Mesley as the inaugural chief executive officer of Super Rugby Pacific (SRP).

Mesley faces the challenge of addressing falling interest in Super Rugby since the departure of South African teams.

Aussie Mesley to helm Super Rugby Pacific

Sydney-based Mesley, who will commence in the role on 22 July, boasts more than 20 years of professional experience in marketing and operations and currently holds the position of chief commercial officer at Australian Professional A-Leagues.

Mesley said he was excited by the opportunity to engage with the competition and the fans, to help deliver the best possible entertainment product and to drive deeper engagement with the game.

“This is a monumental step for the unions and clubs to come together with a real intent to grow Super Rugby Pacific and put fans at the centre,” Mesley said.

“I am looking forward to working with closely with the Super Rugby Pacific clubs to understand their commonalities and differences, and to come together to ignite the flame for generations to come.”   

A graduate of the University of Canberra, Mesley has extensive experience in driving fan engagement and achieving commercial outcomes. 

Before his role at the A-Leagues, Mesley was the chief commercial officer at NRL club Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and spent nine years in brand and marketing at leading beverages company Lion.

Marketing Super Rugby Pacific

Super Rugby Pacific chair Kevin Malloy said Mesley’s strong marketing background and practical skillset made him ideally suited to the Super Rugby Pacific CEO role.

“What set Jack apart from a strong pool of candidates following a thorough search was his passion for rugby, his enthusiasm and a breadth of experience in both marketing and sports,” Malloy said.

“We were looking for someone who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves, given the joint venture is still relatively new. Jack sees the potential of the competition and wants to build on the success we’ve had to date. And he understands the need to form strong relationships with the broad range of stakeholders.

“We are really looking forward to having him onboard come July.”

Why Mesley?

Mesley is a commercially minded sports administrator with a strong background in brand and marketing. He has over 20 years of experience in building brands and driving business growth through sports and entertainment partnerships.

He is currently the chief commercial officer at Australian Professional Leagues, home to the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, Liberty A-League Women and E-League.

Before A-Leagues, Mesley was the chief commercial officer at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and held various senior marketing and commercial positions at Lion, Diageo and the Asian PGA. Having held executive roles as both a sponsor and rights holder, Super Rugby Pacific feels he is uniquely placed to spearhead brand growth and maximise returns.