MSC Cruises announced today that Riccardo Casalino had joined the Company’s executive leadership at its global headquarters, in Geneva, Switzerland, as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

Mr Casalino, 46, has lived and worked internationally for 20 years, leading various international marketing teams for Procter & Gamble Co., eBay (Europe) and, most recently, eDreams ODIGEO. He will report to Chief Executive Officer, Gianni Onorato.

CEO Gianni Onorato said: “MSC Cruises is an ambitious young company that grew 800% in its first 10 years, quickly becoming the fourth biggest cruise line in the industry. We’re now on course for further exponential growth through a €5 billion plan to double our current fleet capacity by 2022, including through the introduction of seven ultra-modern ships in two state-of-the-art prototypes.

“Riccardo’s broad international experience spanning travel, e-commerce and consumer goods will be pivotal as we continue to build the MSC Cruises brand in step with the company’s rapid and aggressive expansion programme. We need a world-class management team to ensure that we continue to provide distinct, best-in-class cruises experiences, even as we evolve and grow.”

Having served most recently as Group CMO for leading online travel company eDreams ODIGEO, in Barcelona, Mr Casalino managed a team of 120 people. Prior to that, he was Senior Marketing Director for e-commerce pioneer eBay (Europe), based in Zurich, where he repositioned the eBay brand and drove growth well above the European.

e-commerce average. But his marketing career began at consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble, where he spent 16 years rising through the ranks, living and working in several countries across Europe.

Mr Casalino, who took up his post on April 23, is the third addition to the MSC Cruises C-suite this year, following the arrival of a new Chief Communications Officer, in March, and Chief Information Officer, earlier this month.