Three staff who worked together on the successful Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) 2013 have reunited at Leeds marketing agency Banana Kick
New head of sponsorship is Rob Singleton, who worked with the likes of Go Daddy, Gillette and Singha Beer when he headed up the commercial team at the RLWC.
Martin Johnston joins the agency as head of digital communications. Before leading on PR and media relations for the RLWC he consulted to Carat on the launch of the British Gas sponsorship of British Swimming. He’s also had roles at Mediaedge, British Eurosport and the RFU, as well as the Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002.
Account manager Tom Coates led the social media programme for the RLWC after working as a freelance sports reporter with slots on bet365.com and Sky Sports Radio. He was also a senior writer at League Publications, working on League Express and Rugby League World.
Banana Kick director Gary McCall said: “The sheer breadth of expertise in sport we have now is amazing. Current clients like Provident Financial Services, Plusnet and Kingstone Press Cider are already benefitting from that.
“Martin, Rob and Tom bring successful experience not just from the Rugby League World Cup but from work with some of the biggest sports brands and rights holders in the UK. To be able to offer that to new clients is genuinely exciting.”