GLOBAL CERCIO: Givenchy has appointed Benjamin Cercio as its new global communications director, effective immediately.
The industry veteran, probably best known for his long tenure at Louis Vuitton and his recent stint at Gucci, arrives at the Paris-based house as it enters a new era under a new creative director, Sarah Burton, and a new chief executive officer, Alessandro Valenti, with whom Cercio worked at Vuitton.
According to an internal announcement seen by WWD, Cercio is responsible for “overseeing the image, PR, events, digital, visual merchandising and heritage departments at global scale, coordinating with the regions.”
The release noted he would collaborate closely with Burton and Valenti to “enhance Givenchy’s global presence and brand identity.”
Cerci succeeds Valérie Leberichel, who recently left Givenchy to join Gucci as senior vice president of global communications.
Cercio is taking up his new responsibilities at Givenchy via his recently formed brand-building and communication agency named Bencercio, through which he will continue to consult for other clients.
Cercio 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 relations.
He’s particularly skilled in celebrity relations and entertainment endorsements, having built a powerful network of talents, agents, stylists and publicists. During his time at Vuitton, the brand signed ambassadors including Emma Stone, Léa Seydoux, Naomi Osaka and Sophie Turner.
Burton — a fastidious fashion technician prized for dramatic tailoring and intricate, yet empowering dresses — is to show her first collections for Givenchy during Paris Fashion Week in March.
