Tag: group

The new website by Six Senses Hotels

Luxury brands move to merge corporate content and eCommerce platforms, as Ferrari integrates the Apple iPad mini and Siri technology into its FF hatchback

Will digital marketing bring new consumers to luxury brands? According to a new survey from Luxury Interactive and ShopIgniter the answer is a resounding yes. The study found that the leading business driver among luxury brand marketers, for investments in digital and social media, is in fact new customer acquisition.

63% of the luxury marketers surveyed predict that by 2015, digital marketing will be the most important form of marketing for their brands — more important than traditional print, TV or loyalty programs. This very year 85% will increase their digital spend and 72% will increase spending on social media marketing.

“ Social media creates opportunities to drive product discovery, generate new customer insight & move prospects closer to a purchase decision ”

“While acquiring new customers in social media is logical given the demographics it draws, luxury brands need to develop strategies built on extending their brand promise, inviting fans in and providing the exclusivity they expect,” explained Marko Muellner, VP marketing at ShopIgniter, in a statement.

“Our experience shows that roughly half of a brand’s social fans are not in the house file, which means there is ample opportunity to not only introduce the brand to a new customer, but also find opportunities to drive product discovery, generate new customer insight and move prospects closer to a purchase decision.”

Baselworld, App

The Baselworld 2013 App is now available for Android, Blackberry and iOS, offering help for those negotiating the new hall layouts. The free appincludes interactive 3D hall plans, detailed information about exhibitors and an overview of events and press conferences. Users can add their own notes and photos to an exhibitors entry.

Download: Apple
Source: Retail Jeweller

Christian Louboutin, Chinese Social Media

Christian Louboutin has launched on Sina Weibo, Youku and Tudou, as the brand looks to extend its digital influence in Asia. A new ecommerce site to service countries within the APAC region will be launching in the coming months, alongside a simplified Chinese corporate website and a dedicated ‘Stop Fake’ site.

Websites: Weibo, Tudou, Youku
Source: Christian Louboutin

Condé Nast, Web TV

Condé Nast has announced its latest digital push: an online video network, featuring Glamour and GQ-branded original video series sponsored by Procter & Gamble, Microsoft and Mondelēz International. More “branded programming” featuring other Condé brands will follow, more than a year after Condé announced the launch of a new entertainment division.

Source: Fashionista

Escada, eCommerce

Premium womenswear label Escada has launched its first e-commerce website in its home country of Germany. The site marks the brand’s first transactional website, offering apparel and accessories from both the mainline Escada collection as well as the sub-brand Escada Sport.

Website: escada.com
Source: Fashion United

Ferrari, Apple Integration

Following the appointment of Eddie Cue – Apple’s software and services guru – to Ferrari’s board, the luxury automaker has announced that Siri integration and a pair of iPad Minis are now standard on the Ferrari FF. The FF, its all-wheel drive, four-seat hatchback, will have iPad Minis installed in the headrests as part of a new rear-seat entertainment package.

Source: Wired

Jaquet Droz, Website

Celebrating its 275th anniversary, Jaquet Droz has unveiled its new HTML 5 website, infused with the brand’s DNA and the latest on-line technological innovations. All content can be shared on numerous social networks like Facebook or Twitter, and is available in 8 languages (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Russia, Simplified Chinese, Japanese).

Website & Source: Jaquet Droz

Lanvin, mCommerce

Lanvin has launched its e-store on its mobile-optimszed site. The brand announced the new shopping channel to consumers with a direct email and Twitter campaign. When mobile users access Lanvin’s site on their mobile device, they are brought to a homepage where they can scroll right and left through branded content such as exclusive items available on the e-store, fashion show videos, collections and window displays.

Source: Luxury Daily

LuxDeco, App

LuxDeco, an online destination for luxury home products, will launch its first shoppable magazine app for the iPad on April 24th. The latest trends and interior styles are brought to life in video features, captivating photo shoots and exclusive interviews with renowned tastemakers, stylists and connoisseurs of design.

“With over 25% of our audience coming from the iPad, a luxury shoppable magazine was the obvious next step”, Says founder and CEO Jonathan Holmes.

Source: LuxDeco

Proenza Schouler, Website

Proenza Schouler has reinvigorated its website, the final phase of its rebranding, undertaken in collaboration with art director Peter Miles. Stocking a range of small leather goods, accessories and select items from the Spring 2013 runway collection, the revamped site will significantly expand Proenza Schouler’s presence in e-commerce.

Website: proenzaschouler.com
Source: Business of Fashion

Six Senses, Website

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has launched its new web site, in keeping with the brands new visual identity and repositioning. The Web site makes full use of the group’s vast library of extraordinary images, highlighting the aesthetics, experiences, and natural beauty of the locations that Six Senses call home.

Website: sixsenses.com
Source: Hospitality.net

Zegna, Website

As part of its comprehensive digital strategy, Ermenegildo Zegna, has consolidated its online platforms, Zegna.com and the Zegna Online Store Powered by Yoox Group, under a single interactive structure that delivers full coverage of hot new style trends, fashion news and exclusive content together with a fashion-forward online shopping experience.

Website & Source: Zegna

For more in the series of The Latest Digital, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Digital: Gucci, Porsche & Raymond Weil
- The Latest Digital: Labelux, Burberry & Chanel
- The Latest Digital: Cartier, Prada & Tod’s

Franois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet

The Latest luxury industry appointments at Richemont, Burberry, Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Audemars Piguet, Givenchy, Cartier & Diet Coke

Kathleen Tayor is to leave the CEO post of Four Seasons hotels, after serving the Toronto-based hotelier since 1989. The company’s nine-member executive leadership team will assume management until a successor is found.

Over at Breitling, Franz La Rosee has stepped down, after serving as managing director of Breitling UK for the past 26 years. "I have enjoyed every one of those years and it has been my privilege to navigate the company through so many exciting, challenging and, sometimes stormy, seas,” he explained to Retail Jeweller.

Serge Jureidini has resigned as president of Lancme in the U.S. to become president and chief executive officer of Arcade Marketing. Jimmy Choo co-creative director, Simon Holloway, has also departed, leaving Sandra Choi as the sole creative director of the Labelux brand.

Finally, Mario Grauso will step down from his presidency at Vera Wang Group, and instead work with the brand as a consultant.

Bernard Fornas, Co-CEO, Richemont

Compagnie Financire Richemont SA has nominated Bernard Fornas – former CEO of Cartier – to the Board of Directors. The current joint deputy CEO will become Co-CEO alongside Richard Lepeu on April 1st, 2013, and remain a member of its Group Management Committee.

Source: Fox Business

Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO, Bulgari

LVMH have named Jean-Christophe Babin, who has led Tag Heuer since joining LVMH in 2000, as the new CEO at Bulgari. The appointment comes two months after Bulgari head Michael Burke was named successor to Louis Vuitton CEO Jordi Constans. Constans left a month after taking the post because of illness.

Source: Business Week

Carol Fairweather, CFO, Burberry

Burberry have announced a round of executive shake-ups, in which CFO Stacey Cartwright will step down to pursue other interests and be replaced by Carol Fairweather in July. Ms. Fairweather has been with the fashion group for six years, following service at News Corp’s British newspaper arm, News International.

Source: Reuters

John Smith, COO, Burberry

Burberry has also created a new COO role “to support the next phase of growth”, appointing media executive John Smith. Mr. Smith was most recently chief executive of BBC Worldwide, which sells content made by the British licence fee-funded broadcaster to other countries.

Source: Reuters

Laurent Feniou, Managing Director, Cartier UK

Laurent Feniou, a veteran banker at Rothschild in London has been hired as managing director of Cartier’s UK operations. Cartier has recently undergone a management overhaul that saw Stanislas de Quercize replace long-time Cartier chief Bernard Fomas at the end of 2012.

Source: Reuters

Riccardo Tisci, Creative Director, Givenchy

Givenchy creative designer, Riccardo Tisci, has extended his contract by three years with the LVMH-owned French house. Tisci joined Givenchy in 2005, which is now under the management leadership of former Prada executive Sebastian Suhl.

Source: WWD

Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Resorts & Spas

Pegasus Capital Advisors LP appointed Neil Jacobs, former president of Starwood Capital Group LLC’s hotel unit, to run its Six Senses Resorts & Spas division as it seeks to expand the ultra-luxury brand. Mr. Jacobs previously oversaw development of Starwood’s Baccarat and 1 Hotels brands.

Source: Bloomberg

Tara Ffrench-Mullen, Marketing & PR Director, Charlotte Olympia

Luxury footwear and accessory brand Charlotte Olympia has announced the appointment of Tara ffrench-Mullen as Global Marketing & PR Director, effective immediately. Tara previously worked in the PR and marketing team at L.K. Bennett.

Source: Fashion Monitor

Franois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO, Audemars Piguet

After serving as “general manager ad interim” since May 2012, Franois-Henry Bennahmias was recently made chief executive officer of the Audemars Piguet Group by the board of directors. The family-owned brand and previous CEO Phillipe Merk ended their collaboration last year due to “differences in company strategy.

Source: Watchtime

Marc Jacobs, Creative Director, Diet Coke

Marc Jacobs has been named Diet Coke’s new creative director for 2013, for which he has designed three cans, three bottles and three ad campaigns, each corresponding to a recent decade in fashion. One campaign features the designer himself stripping in a photo booth and posing in playful, pin-up-style ads.

Source: WWD

For more in the series of The Latest Appointments, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Appointments: Harrods, Balenciaga & Louis Vuitton
- The Latest Appointments: Christie’s, Richemont & Ferrari
- The Latest Appointments: PPR, Cadillac & Baccarat

Alexander Wang has been appointed creative director of Balenciaga, following the departure of Nicolas Ghesquire

New leadership for a new year, we bring you the latest luxury industry appointments at LVMH, Fisker Automotive, Alexander Wang, Este Lauder & Bloomberg Pursuits

Brigitte Taittinger has left her post as president of Annick Goutal, following 20 years at the helm. The move comes just eighteen months after Korean group, Amore Pacific, joined forced with US Starwood Capital to acquire the perfume house. A statement indicated that her decision had been made in agreement with shareholders.

Over at BMW, Christoph Stark will retire as China head in February after overseeing BMW sales jump about 15-fold over eight years in the country. Karsten Engel, currently the senior vice president of BMW Group Germany, will take over the China portfolio from March 1 according to Bloomberg.

Nicolas Abboud, chief executive officer of de Grisogono, has suddenly left his post citing family reasons, after only about six months on the job. The company said Abboud’s departure was unrelated to his strategy for the company and not a decision by the board. Abboud is said to be looking for another job in Paris.

Finally, management changes are afoot at Escada following the departure of Denise Shepard – managing director UK – and her French counterpart Nathalie Banessy. Jacob Bjerregaard, VP of sales and trade marketing, will now oversee development in German, Austrian, English, French and Italian markets.

Tanja Ruhnke, VP Communications, Alexander Wang

Tanja Ruhnke has joined Alexander Wang as vice president of global branding and communications, taking over responsibilities from Leslie Rubisch, who recently transitioned into consulting. Ms. Ruhnke most recently served as head of communications at Rag & Bone.

Source: WWD

Alexander Wang, Creative Director, Balenciaga

PPR have announced the appointment of Alexander Wang to the post of Creative Director of the Balenciaga fashion house. Wang now has responsibility for designing the brand’s women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections, as well as for Balenciaga’s image.

Source: PPR

Ted Moncreiff, Editor, Bloomberg Pursuits

Ted Moncreiff has been appointed as the editor of Pursuits, the luxury magazine for Bloomberg terminal customers. Mr. Moncreiff most recently served at Cond Nast Ideactive, the ad agency-like outfit within the company’s corporate ad sales division.

Source: WWD

Marc Rey, President US, Coty Prestige

Coty Inc. has confirmed the appointment of Marc Rey as president, Coty Prestige U.S., and regional vice president, Coty Prestige, North America, effective Jan. 2, 2013. Rey replaces Bob Cankes, who will retire in the second half of this fiscal year, after 14 years with Coty and a decorated career within the beauty industry.

Source: Coty

Daniel Wingate, Fashion Director, Escada

German fashion house Escada has announced the promotion of Daniel Wingate, current design director of the Escada mainline collection, to fashion director. Mr. Wingate will be responsible for the direction of the fashion house’s Escada and Escada Sport lines.

Source: FashionUnited

Thia Breene, Lynne Green, Presidents, Este Lauder

Este Lauder has expanded its number of Group Presidents, from two to four, adding two new senior positions to top management. Thia Breen has been named to the new position of Group President North America, and will oversee both the U.S. and Canadian affiliates.

Lynne Greene has been named to the new position of Group President, continuing to oversee the Clinique, Origins and Ojon global brands, with the addition of the Aveda and Darphin brands.

Source: Este Lauder Companies

Joel Ewanick, Chief of Global Sales, Fisker

Fisker Automotive has hired Joel Ewanick, the former head of marketing at General Motors, as its interim chief of global sales and marketing. Fisker also confirmed that Richard Beattie, who had been the company’s chief commercial officer, was retiring.

Source: NYTimes

Michelle Peluso, Board, Gilt Groupe

Online luxury retailer Gilt Groupe has added Michelle Peluso to its board of directors. Ms. Peluso spent the previous six years as president and CEO of Travelocity and Executive Vice President of Sabre Holding Corp. Prior, she served as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.

Source: PRNewswire

Sarah Brown, Director, Harrods

Qatar Holding has announced that Sarah Brown, the wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has been appointed as a non-executive director of Harrods. A spokesperson for Qatar Holding revealed that Brown would provide “input and insight into the company’s strategic initiatives and overall business”.

Source: Fashion United

Neeraj Khemlani , SVP, Hearst Corp

In a new role for Hearst Corp, Neeraj Khemlani has been tapped as senior vice president and chief creative officer. Mr. Khemlani will work with Hearst’s creative teams, managers and group heads across digital and print platforms, after serving since 2009 as special assistant to the CEO of digital media.

Source: WWD

Gerd von Podewils, SVP, Hugo Boss

Gerd von Podewils has been named senior vice president, global communications at Hugo Boss, effective Jan. 1. Podewils succeeds 12-year Boss veteran Philipp Wolff, who is leaving the German fashion company at the end of the year to pursue “new business interests.”

Source: WWD

Pietro Borsotti, Commercial Director, Leonard

French fashion house Leonard said it has appointed Pietro Borsotti as commercial director, in charge of the distribution network and development of both the main collection and the secondary line. Mr. Borsotti was previously managing director of the French divisions of Trussardi and Valentino Fashion Group.

Source: FashionSnoops360

Michael Burke, CEO, Louis Vuitton

Michael Burke will re-join Louis Vuitton as CEO, following the news that Jordi Constans is stepping down “due to the discovery of a significant health issue.” Mr. Burke most recently served as the head of Bulgari, but also ran Vuitton’s North American business from 1993 to 1997.

Source: Bloomberg

Pauline Brown, Chairman, LVMH US

LVMH has tapped Pauline Brown as chairman of its North American arm, LVMH Inc, after working as an independent investor and adviser to emerging luxury brands for the past two years. Prior, Ms. Brown served as a managing director at The Carlyle Group, working on the private equity firm’s global consumer and retail team.

Source: WWD

Ivana Omazic, Senior Creative, Maison Martin Margiela

Former Celine designer Ivana Omazic recently joined notoriously press-shy Maison Martin Margiela in a ‘senior creative capacity’. After working with brands such as Prada Sport, Jil Sander and Miu Miu, this is the first time Omazic has had such a high-profile role at a house, since Celine.

Source: Fashionista

Ron Offir, SVP eCommerce, Michael Kors

Ron Offir has joined Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. as senior vice president of its e-commerce division. Mr. Offir will be responsible for leading the company’s new global e-commerce strategy, following tenure as president of e-commerce and retail at The Jones Group.

Source: WWD

Kate Lanphear, Style Director, T Magazine

Ex-Elle style director Kate Lanphear has joined T: The New York Times Style Magazine as style director and will report on the upcoming shows for the U.S. glossy. Ms. Lanphear was named Style Director at Elle in 2008, and was at the magazine for a number of year’s prior.

Source: Fashionista

For more in the series of The Latest Appointments, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Appointments: Christie’s, Richemont & Ferrari
- The Latest Appointments: PPR, Cadillac & Baccarat
- The Latest Appointments: Mulberry, DVF & Ralph Lauren