Gabriele Cusani Sodano.

SECAUCUS, N.J.—Safilo North America has announced the appointment of Gabriele Cusani Sodano as president and chief commercial officer, effective April 2024. Cusani brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to succeed in this new role, which will focus on accelerating the implementation of the Group’s strategic plan in the North American market, the company stated. He joined Safilo in 2015 and has held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure, with experience that spans commercial strategy and planning, brand management, business development, sales operations and direct to consumer.

He most recently served as VP, global key accounts, and ultimately, he took the lead of the business for North, France and Benelux markets. Cusani succeeds Vittorio Verdun, who was appointed president of the North American market in June 2023, as reported in VMAIL. Safilo N.A. has confirmed to VMAIL that Verdun is no longer with the company.

In a statement, Safilo Group said, “Mr. Cusani’s leadership will be instrumental in driving operational excellence and enhancing the services we offer to our valued customers. Our commitment to exceptional customer service remains the focus of our business. We will keep pushing on our core assets, both our home brands, in particular Carrera, and our key licenses, the ones recently renewed, like kate spade new york, Marc Jacobs, BOSS, HUGO, Tommy Hilfiger, along with Stuart Weitzman, our new partnership.”

 
In addition, Roberto Genovese has been appointed vice president licensed brands, PR and communications and customer marketing for North America. He had been named vice president, North America licensed brands, in October 2022, as reported in VMAIL. This organizational change aims to further propel Safilo North America toward achieving the established goals, the company stated.