NEW PHASE: Gucci has named Davide Buzzoni global communications director. He reports to executive vice president and chief brand officer Alessio Vannetti.

Buzzoni joins Gucci from Loro Piana, where he served as head of global PR and VIP. Before that, he built his career at Moncler, Prada Group and Burberry.

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With his extensive experience in luxury, Buzzoni “will have direct responsibility for global press office activities and corporate communications, ensuring a cohesive narrative that aligns with Gucci’s values and vision,” the company said.

Buzzoni succeeds Benjamin Cercio, Gucci‘s senior vice president of global communications, who left the brand in March. He had joined Gucci in November 2022 after a long career at Louis Vuitton, where he rose up the ladder to become its international director of press, influencer and entertainment.

In May, Gucci parent Kering tapped Louis Vuitton communications executive Stefano Cantino as deputy chief executive officer of the Italian fashion house, a new post. He is working hand-in-hand with Jean-Fran?ois Palus, CEO of Gucci, and Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s deputy CEO in charge of brand development.

The trifecta of managers is tasked with putting Kering’s biggest and most profitable brand back on a growth track under creative director Sabato De Sarno, who succeeded Alessandro Michele and whose arrival at the Italian house coincided with a slowdown in luxury spending.

In July, Kering said Gucci’s performance fell short of expectations, with organic sales down 19 percent in the second quarter, versus analysts’ predictions for a 17 percent drop. In reported terms, revenues were down 20 percent to 2 billion euros. As reported, management is pinning its hopes on the introduction of four new handbag lines in September, alongside a collection of ready-to-wear essentials building on De Sarno’s best-performing designs so far, a shorter time to market and a streamlined distribution and offer.

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