Valentino USA names new communications executive

Tanja Ruhnke will be joining Valentino's North American team as their new vice president of communications. The news was first reported by WWD. Ruhnke will oversee PR, events, VIP relations and advertising for the Italian luxury brand. She will report to Sebastian Suhl, managing director of interim markets and Valentino's interim CEO.

Ruhnke is formerly the vice president of global branding at Alexander Wang, and prior to that she served as vice president of public relations at KCD Worldwide, one of Manhattan's most elite PR firms. Her most recent role was as vice president of communications at production agency North6.

Ruhnke has also worked for Rag & Bone and Helmut Lang, and has been a consultant for other notable luxury brands including Gucci and Bottega Veneta.

Valentino seems to be in the midst of restructuring their top talent in North America, having recently also named Gianfranco Ditadi their new North American CEO.