MILAN—Valerio Giacobbi has been named general manager of sales, marketing and business strategies for Marcolin S.p.A, according to a joint statement from Marcolin Group and PAI Partners.

As reported in VMail on Oct. 15, 2012, PAI Partners, a leading European private equity firm, recently took over the control of Marcolin Group with the intent of boosting the company's international expansion and long-term agreements in terms of the company’s brand portfolio.

Effective Jan. 16, 2013, Giacobbi reports directly to Giovanni Zoppas, CEO of Marcolin. Giacobbi has gained 20 years of experience in the eyewear industry by holding key positions in such companies as Luxottica Group where he had been executive director of business development, executive vice president of retail for North America and general affairs manager.

"Valerio brings his in-depth knowledge of the sector to Marcolin, as well as incredible management and organizational leadership, further strengthening the group's management team,” said Zoppas. “I take this opportunity to welcome Valerio to our team."

“Giacobbi's appointment is in line with the new strategic development objective undertaken by the group,” added Raffaele Vitale, a partner at PAI Partners.

Marcolin is a leading global producer of glasses and sunglasses for such brands as: Balenciaga, Cover Girl, Diesel, 55DSL, DSquared2, Hogan, John Galliano, Just Cavalli, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Miss Sixty, Montblanc, Roberto Cavalli, Swarovski, Timberland, TOD’s and Tom Ford, as well as the group's own brands including Marcolin and Web Eyewear.