Ikin, Ben

Ben IKIN [Player Stats]


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Ikin to tackle Titans marketing
Thu August 20, 2009
Source: www.titans.com.au

Former Queensland State of Origin Star Ben Ikin has been appointed General Manager of Marketing for the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans.

After a lengthy internal review, the club has decided to create the new position given the significant importance of marketing and branding of the business in the immediate future as the Jetstar Titans look forward to the challenge of sharing the Gold Coast sporting landscape with three other national licenses.

Jetstar Titans Managing Director Michael Searle said: "We are really excited to be able secure the highly respected services of Ben in what will be a challenging but exciting role in our company.

"While his football credentials are well documented, Ben also comes to us with a wealth of business and marketing experience having been in a senior management position with a major international engineering firm and having six years of marketing experience behind him.

"He is someone with a great passion for the game of rugby league and is a local Gold Coaster."

Ben has spent the past three years working as the National Business Development Manager in the marketing department of Robert Bird Group.

He has played an integral role in building the brand of what is one of the world's leading consulting engineering firms.

Executive Chairman Robert Bird said: "It's been great to have had Ben at the Robert Bird Group. He was a valued member of our Australian operations and it will be sad to see him go.

"However, we do understand that Rugby League is in his blood and it's great to see that he will be able to use some of the skills he developed in our business to add value to a great organization like the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans."

The former Channel Nine rugby league commentator is relishing the challenge of marketing what is arguably one of the most exciting brands in Australian Sport.

Ikin said he was looking forward to his new challenge.

"The Jetstar Titans have done such a great job in the marketing and branding space since before they kicked a ball in the NRL - so for me it's case of looking at things differently through a fresh set of eyes.

"I have an undying passion for the game and my aim is to have as many people as possible living and breathing rugby league.

"The thing that has amazed me is how well the club has been able to connect to the fans and I want to continue that good work into grass roots rugby league and ensure that fans continue to feel they are a part of it all."

Ikin is excited by the move back from Sydney and the chance to be a part of something so significant in relation to where he grew up playing rugby league.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Robert Bird Group. It's a wonderful organization with a great culture and great people,'' he said.

"But growing up on the Gold Coast and being passionate about rugby league, I jumped at the opportunity to work for the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and I'm really looking forward to becoming part of the Titans family."

Ikin will start in his new role on Monday, August 24.

Career Snapshot

Rugby League
150 first grade games with the Gold Coast Seagulls ('95), North Sydney Bears ('96 - '99) and Brisbane Broncos (2000 - 04)
17 State of Origin games for QLD ('95 - '03)
2 tests for Australia ('98)
Won Grand Final with Broncos in 2000

Employment
Kedron Wavell Services Club - Marketing Manager
Robert Bird Group - National Business Development Manager
Channel 9 - Rugby League Commentator
Broncos Leagues Club - Director
Rugby League Players Association - Director

Other
NRL Education & Welfare Committee - Member

====================================================================================================== 2004 NRL Telstra Premiership Brisbane Broncos ======================================================================================================

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