Mark Russell
Chief Marketing Officer & VP, UK&I
Experience
Mark is Chief Marketing Officer and has extensive experience working for both Ireland's largest sponsor and rights holder, bringing expertise to sports organisations and brands aiming to generate exceptional value. He has a track record of securing strong returns from sponsorship and partnerships to build brand equity, maximise commercial revenues, and unlock potential.
Prior to Druid, he was Group Sponsorship Manager at Aviva Insurance, leading award-winning campaigns, and securing 5 Sponsorship Industry Awards in 7 years. At the Football Association of Ireland, as Commercial & Marketing Director, Mark successfully navigated a challenging market to deliver major marketing campaigns and secure key partnerships with leading brands like Nissan and Sky. His career started at British Airways where he spent over a decade working across multiple departments, especially marketing.
Druid
Mark collaborates with sports rights holders and brands to deliver tailored sponsorship strategies, build compelling propositions, and forge win-win partnerships. Passionate about staying ahead of industry trends and helping businesses unlock lasting value in sponsorship and partnerships, he aligns opportunities with brand objectives, ensuring every partnership delivers impact and success.
He has worked with a multitude of clients including World Athletics, UEFA, Basketball Ireland, Ulster Rugby, and the Cork GAA.
Favourites
Mark is a football and rugby fan with a sideline in baseball. His favourite moment is the 1981 Botham Ashes alongside Aston Villa’s win vs InterMilan in 1994.
