Navy Blue Sports, one of Ireland’s leading full-service sports agencies, has announced the official launch of a new communications division.
As part of this milestone announcement, Sky Ireland’s Head of Communications, Neal Cummins, has been appointed to lead the new division, which makes Navy Blue Sports the only full-service talent management, communications, and sponsorship agency in the country.
Cummins joins Navy Blue Sports from Sky Ireland where he spearheaded its communications and sponsorship efforts for the last three years.
He was a key player in Sky’s historic partnership with the Republic of Ireland Women’s National football team – making Sky their first ever standalone primary partner – as well as the addition of the Men’s National football team to Sky’s sponsorship portfolio this year.
He also led campaigns to launch the company’s first-ever streaming products, Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
Prior to Sky Ireland, Neal was a Director at the global communications agency Fleishman Hillard, where he led the agency’s sports and sponsorship division for over five years, working with a range of clients, including Aviva, Cadbury, Communicorp, EA Games, Google, and P&G.
With over 17 years of experience, his work across brand marketing, sponsorship, corporate communications, and crisis management has been recognised through various national and international industry awards.
“The expansion of our service portfolio into media and communications is the natural strategic next step for Navy Blue Sports and makes us the only communications agency in the country with a talent management arm within the business,” said Niall Woods, Managing Director of Navy Blue Sports.
“The appointment of industry heavyweight Neal Cummins is a significant statement of intent and demonstrates our ambition to become a major player in the market.”
“We see a sizeable opening in the sports communications industry to give brands a credible and exciting option going forward. Having already worked on communications campaigns for top brands Allianz and Lucozade Sport over the last year, the addition of Neal to our team will further strengthen our offering to the talent we represent and the brands we work with.”
“The opportunity to build and lead a new communications division within such a respected agency is unique and very exciting,” added Cummins.
“Navy Blue Sports has long been synonymous with excellence in sports management, representing elite athletes and working with top sports organisations.”
“Having worked with Niall and the Navy Blue Sports team over many years, I have witnessed their professionalism first-hand. The launch of the Navy Blue Sports communications division is a significant milestone in the agency’s evolution, and I am excited to be joining such an experienced team.”
Navy Blue Sports was founded by former Ireland Rugby International Niall Woods in 2011. It specialises in representing and managing the careers of Ireland’s premier sports talent, including current Ireland rugby captain Caelan Doris, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose, Andrew Porter, Lisa Fallon, Richie Sadlier, Vikki Wall and many more.
It works with sports organisations across rugby, football, GAA, athletics, television and entertainment, as well as some of the country’s leading brands in the sports arena.
The move is an exciting one for both parties, and we wish the new expanded operation the very best of luck as part of the Sport for Business community.
Sport for Business will host its inaugural Children and Sport Conference in Dublin on Thursday, September 19th, with the support of Allianz Ireland and Sport Ireland. This is one of many events planned for the remainder of 2024.
Register your interest to attend a Sport for Business event here.
The Olympic Federation of Ireland and PTSB are among the 300 organisations, which include all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, that are members of the Sport for Business community.
Find out more about joining us today.
Check out our upcoming events to discover ways of connecting in person with our membership.
