NEW DIRECTIONS: Emilie Leblanc has joined Bottega Veneta in the new role of global marketing and communication director, WWD has learned.
She reports to Samuel Diep, Bottega’s chief merchandising and marketing officer, and picks up some of the responsibilities previously handled by Thierry Conrad Reutenauer, who moved over to Loewe as global communications director late last year.
It is understood Leblanc is tasked with defining and steering the Italian brand’s global marketing and communication strategy across all markets and touch points, and helping to drive its ambitions.
Her areas of responsibility include press relations, talents, events, partnerships, integrated media and digital marketing.
Previously, Leblanc was global communications director at Celine in Paris, but she is probably best known for her long career at Saint Laurent, logging 10 years as head of global marketing and international advertising between 2006 and 2016, ultimately promoted to associate chief marketing officer.
After a year as international marketing director at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned jeweler Repossi, she returned in 2017 to Saint Laurent as worldwide marketing and media director and was ultimately promoted to associate chief marketing officer.
Earlier in her career she was an advertising sales executive at French magazine publisher Editions Jalou between 2004 and 2006, her LinkedIn profile shows.
Bottega Veneta, like Saint Laurent, is owned by French luxury group Kering.
Leblanc joins Bottega Veneta as the house charts a new era under creative director Louise Trotter, who is to stage her sophomore runway show for the house on Feb. 28 during Milan Fashion Week. It also is in transition in its corner office, with chief executive officer Leo Rongone due to depart at the end of March to join Moncler Group as CEO. Bottega Veneta parent Kering has yet to name a successor for Rongone.
