Fijian Drua announce senior management appointments, Shane Hussein appointed as the Drua’s Head of Commercial and Marketing

Super Rugby Pacific’s newest franchise, Swire Shipping Fijian Drua has announced several key appointments to its ‘off-field’ management team ahead of the 2022 season, following the establishment of the ‘on-field’ playing group and coaching staff.

CEO Brian Thorburn announced the appointment of former award-winning journalist and communications professional Shane Hussein as the Drua’s Head of Commercial and Marketing.

Hussein, originally from Cuvu, Nadroga, brings 17 years of experience in communications, media, loyalty marketing, revenue generation, as well as diplomacy and public affairs to the role.

He holds a degree in Journalism and Management and Public Administration (from the University of the South Pacific), Marketing (from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK), and postgraduate qualifications in Journalism and International Affairs.

Hussein is currently Senior Manager Corporate Communications at National Airline, Fiji Airways.

Thorburn says Hussein is a seasoned communications professional, having worked extensively in the Fiji media scene and, for the last ten years, at Fiji Airways.

He says he was thrilled when Hussein applied for the advertised role, and he was hands down the best candidate amongst a field of domestic and international applicants.

Hussein will start with the Drua in early January and has agreed to base himself at Lake Ainsworth with the team for the first six months, so he can bring the story of the Drua’s Super Rugby journey to fans in Fiji and around the world.

Hussein says it is an honour to join the vuvale and the historic journey of our Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.

Thorburn also confirmed other recent appointments of two Australian based consultants, Sally Christiansen and Jason Hill.

Christiansen, who has been appointed as a Commercial and Marketing advisor, is responsible for brand development, the Drua website, and marketing direction for the team. Christiansen has an extensive career in sports marketing and licensing, having worked at International Management Group, the ARU and with the National Rugby League.

Jason Hill joins the Fijian Drua as Venues and Events Consultant.

Thorburn says Hill has experience with the St. George Illawarra Dragons NRL team, the NSW Waratahs, and served for almost 20 years as Commercial Director of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust.

He says with much of the inaugural season to be played in Australia, it was important that they engaged Australian experts for 2021 and 2022, but as they move to a majority of our games being played in Fiji in 2023, they intend to develop local understudies, for whom knowledge and skill transfer can take place in these specialised areas.