May 2, 2016
Portrait Courtesy of Kering Group
Paris, France – This morning the French luxury goods company, the Kering Group, announced the appointment of Valerie Duport as the group’s new Senior Vice President of Communications & Image. This post is effective immediately.
Her mission will be to design and implement Kering’s communications strategy and to promote its image in the luxury world. As of October 1, 2016 she will also be responsible for overseeing and accompanying Kering’s brands in the design and implementation of their respective communications strategies.
Prior to her appointment at Kering, Valérie Duport, who earned a D.E.A. (graduate degree) in contemporary history from the University of Paris – Sorbonne, was previously the International Director of Press Services & External Relations at Chanel. She began her career at Chanel in 1988 in Paris and in its Press Services for the Fragrance & Cosmetics division. In 1994, she migrated to the Press Services for the Watches and Jewellery division at Chanel. Then in 1997 she was promoted to be the head of that same department. And in 2008, she was appointed International Director of Press Services and External Relations at Chanel.
At the Kering Group, Ms. Duport will report directly to François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of the group. She will also be a member of the Group’s Executive Committee.
Kering, the world’s second largest luxury goods group, enjoys a strong history and reputation for promoting women to positions of true power throughout its organization. It develops an ensemble of powerful Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle brands: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Pomellato, Qeelin, Ulysse Nardin, Puma, Volcom and Cobra.
Present in more than 120 countries, the Group generated revenues of more than €11.5 billion in 2015 and had more than 38,000 employees at year end. The Kering (previously PPR) share is listed on Euronext Paris (FR 0000121485, KER.PA, KER.FP).