ounded in 2010 in Milan by Barbara Gianuzzi, Gianuzzi PR & Comunicazione has established itself as a leading “boutique agency” within Italy’s public relations landscape. Drawing on extensive experience in luxury communications, its founder has built an agile structure renowned for its expertise in press relations, media strategy, digital PR and event management.

The agency champions an approach that is both strategic and hands-on. The team operates as a true extension of the brands it represents, developing a deep understanding of their challenges in order to deliver tailor-made solutions. Barbara Gianuzzi has assembled a strong team alongside Francesca Fabris, as well as members of a new generation, Maria Leopoldina Gamper and Ginevra Alí.

The newsstand recently launched by the boutique agency, Mille Edicola in Milan.

Specialising in watchmaking and jewellery, the agency collaborates with key players in the sector, while also branching out into other areas of luxury and lifestyle. This sector-specific expertise now serves a clear ambition: to strengthen the visibility of brands—particularly Swiss ones—on the Italian market, especially in the absence of a local subsidiary.

Europa Star: What were your respective backgrounds before founding and joining the agency?

Barbara Gianuzzi: I have worked in communication since my studies. I studied public relations in Milan before starting out in small agencies. My most formative experience was at Cartier, between 2000 and 2008, where I was in charge of press relations for Italy. It was a full immersion in luxury—watchmaking, jewellery, accessories—as well as art. Cartier provided exceptional training, with very high standards and a truly international outlook.

Francesca Fabris: I also come from a communication background. After studying public relations, I joined the Swatch Group and then Fossil Group, where I handled press relations for all brands and fashion licences on the Italian market. This experience largely explains our strong focus on watchmaking today.

What motivated you to launch your own structure?

Barbara Gianuzzi: I didn’t leave Cartier out of dissatisfaction, but because at a certain point in my life I felt the need for a new perspective. I started out as an independent consultant in 2008. Gradually, clients came on board and the structure developed organically. It wasn’t initially conceived as an “agency”, but rather as an extension of my own work.

Francesca Fabris: I joined Barbara in 2018, after eleven years at Fossil Group. I was looking for a change. In a way, we followed the reverse path compared to many—moving from a company to an agency. This gives us a very concrete understanding of brands’ expectations.

Barbara Gianuzzi

Who were your first clients?

Barbara Gianuzzi: One of our very first clients was an Italian distributor and producer of watches and jewellery, who is still with us today, sixteen years later. We then quickly started working with major international brands and groups. The network built over the years has played a key role.

What is the profile of your clients today?

Barbara Gianuzzi: We are deeply rooted in watchmaking and jewellery. Our collaborations are often long-term, which reflects the level of trust these brands place in us.

Francesca Fabris: We also work with clients in other sectors—design, technology, wines, writing instruments—but watchmaking and jewellery remain our core business, accounting for around 90% of our activity.

Francesca Fabris

How did you build your team?

Barbara Gianuzzi: There are four of us today. We have deliberately chosen to recruit young profiles. What matters to us is not immediate experience, but energy, curiosity and the ability to learn. Public relations is a profession that is built over time.

What services do you offer today?

Barbara Gianuzzi: Press relations are at the core of what we do. It is a profession in its own right, with its techniques and codes—I see it almost as a form of craftsmanship, as it takes years to master.

Francesca Fabris: We also offer digital PR, collaborate with influencers, organise events and support our clients with their media planning. Our focus remains firmly on Italy, as understanding the local culture is essential to being effective.

You describe your structure as a “boutique agency”. Why?

Barbara Gianuzzi: Because we maintain a very close relationship with our clients: we work with them as true strategic partners, almost as if we were colleagues. And above all, we are highly proactive.

At first, I wasn’t comfortable with the term “agency”, as it often suggests a passive role—simply executing requests. We do the opposite: we make proposals, we challenge, and sometimes we say no. Brands know how to create exceptional products, but they don’t always have the tools to engage effectively with the press.

What types of clients would you like to attract?

Barbara Gianuzzi: We naturally aim to further strengthen our positioning in watchmaking, building on the experience we have accumulated over the years. In particular, we would like to support Swiss brands in the strategic development of their communication in Italy—a key market driven by a highly demanding and knowledgeable community of enthusiasts, and a true “trendsetter” capable of influencing global industry dynamics. Our ambition is to become a key partner for maisons wishing to engage this audience with accuracy, credibility and impact.

Francesca Fabris: At the same time, we remain fully open to other sectors. The fundamentals of public relations—storytelling, legitimacy, building desirability and managing influence channels—can be applied across a wide range of fields, including highly technical ones.

You recently launched an original project: a newsstand in Milan. What is the idea behind this initiative?

Barbara Gianuzzi: We acquired a newsstand in central Milan, Mille Edicola. We offer a highly curated selection of magazines, books and press, which we treat as luxury products.

It has become a space for exchange and events, available to our clients, brands from various sectors and publishing houses. It is a unique initiative in Italy for an agency.

What are your plans for 2026?

Barbara Gianuzzi: To further develop the newsstand project—I would like to expand it into a network across Italy—strengthen our existing collaborations and continue supporting our clients at international events such as Watches and Wonders.

Francesca Fabris: And to remain true to our approach: being present, committed, and delivering genuine added value—for both brands and the media.