The National Rugby League (NRL) has announced the appointment of Liz Deegan (pictured) to the newly created executive role of Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
CEO Todd Greenberg said the NRL was delighted to welcome Deegan to the executive team to guide the reputation and engagement activities of Australia’s most watched sport.
In this role, Deegan will be responsible for developing and leading the strategic communication strategies which will work collaboratively across all core areas of the business, especially in relation to brand, people, broadcast, content and media.
“Liz brings a wealth of experience in media, corporate communications, and reputation and commercial relationship management, combined with a deep understanding of our culture and the value of NRL to our fans and our partners,” Greenberg said.
“She is a communications and media professional of the highest calibre with an exceptional reputation and work history. I look forward to her joining our team as we focus on the continued growth of our game.
Deegan will report to Greenberg and will work closely with the ARLC, and key internal and external stakeholders.
She joins the NRL from News Corp Australia, where she is the current General Manager, Corporate Affairs and Relationships. Prior to this she held the national role of Group Editorial Commercial Director for News Corp, following an extensive career in senior editorial roles within the company, including editor of The Sunday Mail in Brisbane, and deputy editor of The Sunday Telegraph. She will commence in her role later this year.
In a note to staff after the announcement of the move, News Corp Australia executive Michael Miller said: “She leaves with my very best wishes and thanks for the contribution she has made to News as a journalist, foreign correspondent, editor and executive.”
Deegan said she was looking forward to further enhancing the NRL’s brand across the country.
“This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the corporate affairs and communications strategy for Australia’s most loved sport. I know this game and understand and value the role it holds in our communities. I look forward to working with Todd and his team as we grow and evolve the role of the NRL,” she said.
In addition to Deegan’s appointment, the NRL has also recently welcomed Daniel Meers as General Manager Media & Communications. Most recently, Meers was a senior adviser to former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and prior to that, spent more than 10 years as a journalist, firstly as respected sports writer and later, a national political reporter in Canberra. Meers will report to Deegan.
Other recent changes to the NRL’s media and communications function, include Glenn Jackson’s promotion to Senior Media and Communications Manager and Tom Gallimore’s promotion to Senior Corporate Affairs Manager effective from July. They will both report to Meers.