Balenciaga names Daniel Motta Mello head of PR for Americas

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Apr 12, 2018

Kering-owned Balenciaga has appointed Daniel Motta Mello to head of public relations in the Americas, poaching the communications specialist from international PR agency Karla Otto.

Seen as the luxury label’s most recent move to invest in the Americas, Mello -- a former Karla Otto vice-president -- is tasked with developing the brand's complete communications department in the region, and will report to Balenciaga’s Americas president, Vira Capeci.

Before Karla Otto, Mello served in senior communications roles at fashion labels Proenza Schouler and Christian Dior Couture, as well as Fasano luxury hotel group.

The Balenciaga Americas head of communications position had been left vacant long-term prior to Mello's arrival amid management restructuring.

Capeci recently transferred to Balenciaga last September from French label Céline (after nine solid years at the brand), under the instruction of Balenciaga CEO Cédric Charbit.

The 100-year-old business has lost much of its appeal over recent years, but found renewed zest under the aegis of Demna Gvasalia, founder of the Vetements label, who took over as creative director in 2015.

Stabled alongside fashion show pony Gucci, Balenciaga is Kering group's fastest growing brand, according to the French firm's latest financial results, up 40% in 2017.

Looking ahead, the fast-growing brand predicts 2018 sales to hit the 1 billion euro mark, a path already beat by Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent.