Diego Della Valle

Diego Della Valle
Diego Della Valle

Diego Della Valle speaking (2003)
Born December 30, 1953 (1953-12-30) (age 57)
Sant'Elpidio a Mare, Italy
Residence Cassette d'Ete
Alma mater University of Bologna
Known for Managing Director of Tod's
Spouse Barbara Pistilli
Children Children from first marriage:
Emmanuelle
Children with Barbara:
Filippo
Parents Father: Dorino Della Valle
Relatives Siblings: Gisella, Andrea

Diego Della Valle (born 30 December 1953 on Sant'Elpidio a Mare) is the President and CEO of the Italian leather goods company, Tod's.

Contents

Biography

Diego Della Valle is the older son of Dorino Della Valle and grandson of Filippo Della Valle. Filippo started his shoemaking business in the 1920s, which Diego expanded into the now famous Tod's brand.[1][2][3]

In his younger days, Diego studied Law in the University of Bologna, but abandoned the career and launched himself into the marketing of the family's shoemaking business. Even during his younger days, he was business savvy. He used the power of celebrity to popularise his product, such an example was when he persuaded his friend Luca di Montezemolo, who was a protégé of Gianni Agnelli, to present the Agnelli with a pair of Tod's driving moccasins. He got Agnelli, the then FIAT boss, to wear Tod's shoes when attending Juventus football matches, which were widely televised. This product placement prompted a spike in sales.[1][2][3]

Della Valle now manages Tod's with his brother Andrea. Diego's son, Emmanuelle, is also involved with the family business as the creative director. The factory in Cassette d'Ete was designed by his wife, Barbara.[3][2]

Diego Della Valle vs. Silvio Berlusconi

Della Valle has publicly attacked Berlusconi for the over-taxing of big business and his failure to support smaller Italian business. Berlusconi, on the other hand, has talked of suing Della Valle for defamation.[1][3]

Other interests

Della Valle sits on the board of a number of companies, such as Ferrari, Maserati, Banca Nazionale del Lavoro and LVMH. He bought the Tuscan football club, Fiorentina, in 2002.[1][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Diego Della Valle". 18 January 2010. http://www.europeanceo.com/profiles/diego-della-valle-entrepreneur. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c Betts, Kate (8 March 2006). "Driving Force: Diego Della Valle". Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1170941,00.html. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Shamoon, Stella (2 April 2006). "Diego Della Valle: Going in feet first". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/diego-della-valle-going-in-feet-first-472343.html. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 


Stub icon This business-related biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.