Ex-Google Executive Joins Italian Shoe Firm Tod’s

Former Google leader Alessandra Domizi will take the digital helm of Italian shoe and leather company Tod’s on Oct. 14, Reuters reported Friday (Sept. 27).

Domizi, previously fashion and retail lead at Google, will develop Tod’s digital communication and online sales, a key component of the brand’s new “Factory” business model.

Headquartered in Marche, Italy, Tod’s said it had appointed Domizi as its chief digital and innovation officer in a bid to streamline the company’s ongoing digital transformation.

Digital communication and online sales are a pillar of Tod’s new business model, aimed at attracting younger luxury shoppers.

Dubbed Tod’s Factory, the new strategy was launched in late 2017 to reverse falling sales and refresh the group’s namesake brand. It offers new products and more frequent collections, backed by significant marketing investment.

Amid rising scrutiny over government debt and longer payments to contractors, Italy has churned up debate with its consideration of so-called mini-bills to pay state debts, a proposal that has critics worried about the potential ramifications of such a plan.

“Like an IOU from the government, mini-BOTs would pay no interest and have no due date,” Bloomberg said in June. “They would be guaranteed by the state and would be accepted by the government for the payment of taxes. There would be no obligation for third parties to accept them.”

Reports in Reuters in June said Italy’s mini-BOT scheme, developed by the League party and endorsed by Parliament in May, would create small-denomination bills that don’t expire in order to pay the state’s debts. The name BOT stems from the Buoni Ordinari del Tesoro, the name of the Italian Treasury bill, reports said.

Separate reports in Bloomberg explained the notes would range in value from one to 500 euros, and could also be issued as a credit for as much as 25,000 euros.