Pilar Alvarez-Palazio

Ferragamo is a high-end Italian fashion company which markets and sells footwear, bags, watches, and accessories. After joining the organization as Manager of Regional Marketing and Public Relations for Latin America and the Caribbean, I was promoted in 2014 to Director. In this capacity, I direct the delivery of regional brand marketing plans, visions, and strategies, and manage a matrixed team of 9 in-country marketing and public relations managers and specialists, with dotted line responsibility for the region's visual merchandisers. I oversee the operational brand budget delivering marketing, advertising, public relations, events, insights, and merchandising strategy for 52 points-of-sale across the region in the wholesale, travel retail, and company store channels, translating the corporate initiatives to the local markets. A few of my highlights in this role include: ► Driving sales through collaboration on brand strategies with in-country partners, responsible for championing assortments, influencing store layouts, and building brand awareness via advertising, catalog, and online support. ► Elevating the brand profile through the execution of more than ten high profile events throughout region annually, implementing social media strategies, building promotional relationships with key fashion influencers, and securing high-value press coverage in influential media as region public relations leader. ► Managing selection and deployment of the region's CRM system to capture actionable consumer insights and influence consumer brand affinity. ► Spearheading the launch of the corporate e-commerce portal in Mexico, enabling online product sales. ► Co-creating a visual merchandising manual driving excellence in store presentation standards. ► Coaching, mentoring, and developing staff.

Bulgari is an Italian luxury goods brand that produces jewelry, watches, accessories, and other high-end products. I was responsible for developing and executing corporate marketing strategies for 55 points of sale across the region, with oversight for translating corporate brand initiatives into actionable local strategies. I delivered marketing, advertising, merchandising, and consumer insights leadership and support, partnered with the regional sales and retail teams to execute go-to-market strategies, and served as point-of-contact with Bulgari's marketing team in Rome, Italy. Highlights include: ► Enhancing Bulgari's brand awareness through the delivery of several experiential events annually at company owned-stores. ► Streamlining the regional brand messaging through the implementation of a regional communications strategy, which resulted in increased sales and the realization of cost efficiencies through consolidated, targeted advertising buys and campaigns. ► Securing new points of sale in Nicaragua, Panama, and other markets. ► Developing a presentation strategy on behalf of the marketing team for Bulgari's presence at Switzerland’s BaselWorld watch and jewelry show, driving brand awareness for upcoming product releases.

As an intern, I reported to the Director of Latin America, managing marketing campaigns supporting Salvatore Ferragamo's brand growth and positioning within the luxury goods market. Highlights include: ► One of my key projects was researching a CRM system to enhance the company's consumer contact and analytics capabilities. I evaluated the vendors, analyzed technology, and recommended solutions. ► I conducted media analysis in support of regional media buys.

Y&R is a global marketing and communications company. I was promoted to roles of increased responsibility in managing advertising and marketing for the Colgate Palmolive account. I joined the organization as Account Coordinator for Latin America, was promoted to Global Account Executive for the US Region where I was responsible for developing television and print creative campaigns within U.S. in partnership with Creative Directors, and managing an account team of 7. I was then promoted to Global Account Supervisor in 2004 to oversee team of 13, with expanded responsibility including product management duties in the Europe, Africa, Middle East, and India Markets. One of my key accomplishments was being appointed by the CEO and CMO to a task force, which successfully pitched and secured the Telefónica account.