Keynote Fran Vavallo Head of Digital Business Development World Rugby

Fran currently leads the development and growth of the digital division at World Rugby. In her role, Fran is responsible for establishing World Rugby’s first digital commercial team, lifting the profile and understanding of the role of digital environments, audiences and products.

Working closely with a portfolio of worldwide partners and media brands, Fran’s focus in on transforming their strategic objectives into engaging digital content partnerships, leveraging the strength of the World Rugby digital eco system and content production.

Additionally, Fran is involved as a collaborator in the Women in Rugby International Legacy Plan working group, unlocking the commercial value and opportunity that can exist in Women’s Rugby to create a sustainable and long term pathway for event specific sponsors and media partners.

Having previously spent 15 years leading commercial teams within the media sales landscape, with significant time spent in female led publishing environments such as Mamamia Women’s Network and Pacific Network (Seven West Media). Fran is passionate about designing content led initiatives that elevate and represent the cultural narrative of women’s issues that address marketing and communication objectives to drive deep consumer engagement and connection.

Fran is passionate about using emotive and authentic storytelling to reflect the voice of women, their triumphs and challenges, their pursuit of visibility in sport to offer commercial partners an entry point to rich media environments with high value audiences.