The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has named Aude Gandon as its first Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, a newly created role that underscores the group’s sharpened focus on driving digital and marketing-led growth.
Gandon will assume the position on 1 August and report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Stéphane de La Faverie. She will also join the company’s Executive Team.
In her new role, Gandon will lead the transformation of ELC’s global digital, marketing and media ecosystem, including oversight of digital commerce, omnichannel media, creative operations, precision marketing, regional store design and visual merchandising, consumer insights and global consumer care.
She will also work closely with regional leadership to strengthen online performance across the company’s portfolio of prestige beauty brands.
The appointment reflects ELC’s continued evolution towards a more integrated, consumer-centric commercial model. The company said Gandon’s broad remit will help enhance brand equity and consumer engagement at every touchpoint through a combination of creativity, performance and data-driven strategy.
Gandon most recently served as Global Chief Marketing Officer at Nestlé, where she led a comprehensive digital transformation across 188 markets and more than 2,000 brands. Her tenure included the implementation of new operating models and the development of global partnerships with leading digital platforms such as Google, Meta, Amazon and Netflix.
Prior to Nestlé, Gandon held senior leadership roles at Google, including Global Managing Director for Platform & Ecosystems, where she led integrated brand strategies across five contents. She previously worked with major beauty and luxury clients at agencies such as Publicis Worldwide, McCann and Leo Burnett with a client portfolio including L’Oréal, P&G Beauty and LVMH.
“Aude is an exceptional and accomplished global marketing leader with extensive experience transforming major consumer-facing businesses in the digital age,” said ELC President and Chief Executive Officer Stéphane de La Faverie.
“Her deep expertise across all facets of marketing – from brand strategy and creative development to digital transformation and data analytics – will be instrumental as we continue to build stronger consumer connections. Her global perspective and proven track record of leading large-scale marketing, digital and media transformations make her the ideal leader for this critical role as we shape the future of prestige beauty.”
“I am thrilled to join The Estée Lauder Companies, a company with an unparalleled portfolio of powerful brands and a strong heritage of innovation,” commented Gandon.
“As consumer behaviours continue to evolve, the opportunity to lead the digital and marketing transformation for a premier prestige beauty company is incredibly exciting. I look forward to partnering with the talented teams there to enhance our digital capabilities, deepen consumer connections, and drive growth across brands and channels.”
In addition to her executive roles, Gandon serves on the Board of Directors for CAPSUM, an innovative developer of skincare and makeup formulas. She is a Board Member of the World Federation of Advertisers, where she represents Europe and chairs the Global CMO Committee. She also sits on the Amazon Ad Council and Meta Client Council. ✈
