Editoriale Libertà is an historic, medium-sized Italian publishing house renowned for its flagship daily newspaper, Libertà. Since 1883, it has been a pillar of regional journalism, recognised for trusted, high-quality reporting. Today, the company is embracing the future with ambition, investing in digital transformation, exploring new broadcast formats, and modernising its editorial approach. While staying anchored in its journalistic values, Editoriale Libertà is positioning itself to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving media landscape and engage a new generation of readers and viewers.
In the context of accelerating change across the media industry, Editoriale Libertà recognised the need for bold leadership to remain relevant and ready for the future. The search for a new Chief Editor wasn’t just about filling a position; it was about finding a visionary capable of driving transformation at every level.
They sought someone who could:
Beyond deep editorial expertise, the ideal candidate would bring the leadership capabilities expected of a C-level executive, including emotional intelligence, vision, and resilience. Meaning, a leader as comfortable navigating newsroom dynamics as they are championing cross-functional collaboration and cultural evolution.
The search was initiated through a trusted referral from a senior executive in the client’s network. Recognising both the strategic importance and complexity of the brief, Editoriale Libertà’s General Manager chose to partner with Page Executive, drawn by our proven track record, deep-rooted media expertise, and reputation for delivering senior talent capable of driving transformation. This vote of confidence positioned us as the natural choice to lead such a critical mandate.
We conducted a thorough talent mapping across Italy’s publishing landscape, identifying editorial leaders with experience across multiple media formats. Thanks to our deep industry expertise and the strength of our in-house research team, we quickly delivered a detailed longlist of high-calibre candidates. This early delivery allowed us to fine-tune the brief in close collaboration with the client, ensuring total alignment.
At Page Executive, we don’t just search – we connect. By combining our global research model with exclusive insights and personal networks, we unlock access to candidates' others simply can’t reach. Our reputation and approach mean we deliver results faster without compromising quality.
Our evaluation process went beyond traditional criteria. Leveraging our industry-specific network of "ambassadors," we gathered critical qualitative insights on potential candidates. Shortlisted individuals were chosen for their proven track records, adaptability, and ability to lead transformation in legacy organisations.
We maintained weekly check-ins with the client, allowing us to adapt the brief dynamically as new insights emerged. By sharing real-time market intelligence and talent benchmarks, we guided the client in adjusting the compensation package to attract the right level of leadership.
Despite the complexity of the search, we placed the role in just three months – a testament to our hands-on, agile approach and ability to deliver qualitative results quickly. At Page Executive, we move fast and think forward, providing clients with diverse, high-impact shortlists that are unconstrained by geographical borders or industry silos.
Gian Luca Rocco emerged as the leading candidate. With a rich background in journalism across television, print, digital, and radio, and executive experience at a major national publisher, he combined the right mix of editorial authority and leadership maturity. His compelling vision for revitalising Libertà and strong alignment with the company’s mission made him the perfect cultural fit.
Since joining, showcasing an impressive performance, Gian Luca has:
Andrea understood our needs precisely. Finding a Chief Editor with the right balance of vision, leadership, and digital expertise was not easy. But Page Executive delivered. Today, Gian Luca is an integral part of our team, guiding us towards a more innovative future.
Client Testimonial – Marco Scarzanella, General Manager
The process with Page Executive was exceptional. Too often, companies rely on word-of-mouth instead of professional headhunters. This experience has shown me the immense value of expert executive search.
Candidate Testimonial – Gian Luca Rocco, Chief Editor
What made this search a success wasn’t just the outcome; it was how we got there. At Page Executive, we do more than fill senior roles. We connect organisations with transformational leaders such as Gian Luca Rocco by tapping into a global network that transcends traditional talent pools. Our consultants combine deep personal networks with the strength of an in-house research team and international reach; allowing us to move fast and think ahead.
What powers our work is insight that comes from truly understanding both the market and the people in it. We blend human expertise with advanced proprietary tools to target, assess, and secure executive talent with unmatched precision.
This case was complex - but complexity is where we thrive. We understand what drives talent and align that with the organisations we support. That’s why within just three months; we delivered a diverse and high-calibre shortlist that matched the client's ambitions and exceeded expectations by quickly beginning to make an impact.
This is what modern executive search looks like: strategic, insight-driven, impactful and deeply human.
