Quarterly results and International strategies – While quarterly results were being published, the international press focused on Italian businesses that have proven their ability to steer through the turbulent waters of the crisis. One of them is Luxottica, which continues to grow in emerging markets (Financial Times, May 7 – Luxottica stays in vogue in EM*) and another is Lavazza, which is betting on sales of coffee to Brazilian families (Folha de S. Paulo, May 9, Multinacional do café firma o pé no país). Fiat in turn is, according to some sources, presenting new models and strategies on the Indian market (The Hindu Business Line, May 9 – Fiat open to more models, diesel engines), while UniCredit has shown higher quarterly results than expected (The New York Times, May 10 – UniCredit Profit Rises on Debt Buyback). Delverde is also aiming at international markets, especially the United States, organizing a food bus tour to promote its pasta (International Herald Tribune, May 7 – A Taste of Italian, Served Up in a Big Bus).
Spotlight on Made in Italy – Fashion also attracted the interest of the foreign press. There were pieces on Armani, which designed the new uniforms for the Italian Olympics team (The Washington Post, May 10 – Giorgio Armani includes words of Italian national anthem on team’s Olympic clothing), and Benetton, where the coming of age of the new generation of management deserved a two-page profile on the group’s new president (Diario de Noticias, May 8- Alessandro chegou para dar novas cores à Benetton*).
Italian Culture and style – There were numerous articles on Italian culture and style this week, not to mention a report on the Leone d’Oro to Francesco Rosi for his life achievement (The Washington Post, May 10 – Italian director Francesco Rosi to receive Venice film fest’s Golden Lion for life achievement). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung continued its series on Italian design with an article on men’s bicycles (May 8 – Eine Selbstmordbeihilfe), while the International Herald Tribune wrote on a more classic theme, the perfect city in the work of Piero della Francesca and Raffaello in the exhibit in Urbino (May 8 – If a City Were Perfect, What Would It Look Like?). There are two exhibits at New York’s Metropolitan Museum: one of Bellini, Tiziano and Lotto (Wall Street Journal, May 10 – The Gray-Eyed Girl*) and another on “impossible conversations” in the creations of Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiapparelli (Washington Post, May 8 – Met fashion exhibit eavesdrops on the ‘Impossible Conversation’ between Prada and Schiaparelli). Switzerland was also interested in Italian culture: Tribune de Geneve ran an article on the association Cultura Italia and its role in promoting the Belpaese (May 5 – Une coterie d’Italiens met Genève à la culture transalpine).
Travel in Italy – There were, as always, articles with suggestions for tourists in Italy. The Independent has an original piece on Lake Garda with its natural beauty and families activities (6 maggio, Strike it rich on an Italian treasure hunt) while La Nacion discusses a route from the Marches to Golfo di Policastro, following the trail of “Italian grandparents” who emigrated to Argentina. Finally, Le Journal du Quebec, reveals the Venice of Donna Leon, the American writer who sets her mysteries among the city’s lagoons (May 5 – Quels secrets cache la sérénissime?).
* marked articles viewable online upon payment or registration