Kering has appointed Laurent Claquin to the role of group chief brand officer, effective July 1.
SEE ALSO: Kering sales dive 11 percent on declining Asia-Pacific revenues, Japan proves bright spot
Claquin will join the luxury firm’s executive committee and will report to Jean-Marc Duplaix, deputy CEO of Kering in charge of operations and finance.
In the newly created role, which aims to enhance the appeal of Kering’s corporate brand as well as increase its visibility and influence, Claquin will be tasked with defining and coordinating Kering’s communications, both externally and internally, across all regions, following a unified editorial calendar and strategy.
Additionally, he will support the company’s houses, including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Saint Laurent, by “amplifying their communications efforts when appropriate, and by developing high-profile events that bolster their initiatives,” according to a press release from the Parisian firm.
Claquin has served as president of Kering Americas since 2012. He joined the French group in 2005, assuming several leadership roles, including senior VP of communications and head of corporate social responsibility.
He also was the CEO of Tomas Maier from 2017 to 2018. He began his career as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and then took in various responsibilities at the Jeu de Paume, at the Centre Pompidou, and as chief of staff of the French Minister of Culture and Communication.
The appointment comes after Kering reported a lacklustre sales update for the first quarter. In April, the company reported a 11 percent dive in revenues for the quarter to EUR 4.5 billion, with the French luxury giant citing sluggish Gucci sales, especially in Asia Pacific.
Looking ahead, Kering warned that profit will plunge in the first half of the year after wealthy shoppers continue to curb spending. Recurring operating income will drop between 40 percent and 45 percent in the first six months.