Estee Lauder Appoints Aude Gandon as Chief Digital & Marketing Officer to Lead Digital Transformation and Strengthen Marketing as Commercial Growth Engine.

Estee Lauder appoints Aude Gandon as Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, reporting directly to President and CEO Stephane de La Faverie. Gandon will lead the company's digital, marketing, and media ecosystem, shaping end-to-end strategies across its brand portfolio and overseeing global digital commerce. She brings experience from Nestle, where she implemented digital transformation across 188 markets and 2,000 brands. Gandon's appointment reflects the company's commitment to evolving its consumer-centric approach and strengthening marketing as a commercial growth engine.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) has appointed Aude Gandon as Chief Digital & Marketing Officer (CDMO), effective August 1, 2025. This newly created role reports directly to Stéphane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, and will join the company's Executive Team [1].

Ms. Gandon will oversee the transformation of the company's digital, marketing, and media ecosystem, shaping end-to-end strategies across its powerful brand portfolio. She will also oversee global digital commerce, leading the company's precision marketing, creative operations, consumer and category insights, regional store design and visual merchandising, omnichannel media strategy, and global consumer care [2].

Gandon brings extensive experience in transforming major consumer-facing businesses in the digital age. Prior to joining The Estée Lauder Companies, she served as Global Chief Marketing Officer at Nestlé, where she led digital transformation across 188 markets and more than 2,000 brands. She implemented new operating models, launched global content studios, and developed strategic partnerships with major tech platforms such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Netflix [1].

The appointment of Ms. Gandon reflects the company's commitment to evolving its consumer-centric approach and strengthening marketing as a commercial growth engine. This structural change follows shifts in consumer behavior and the increasing overlap between digital commerce and brand marketing [2].

Under Ms. Gandon's leadership, The Estée Lauder Companies aims to enhance its digital capabilities, deepen consumer connections, and drive growth across brands and channels. Her appointment signals a significant shift in the company's strategy, focusing on attracting younger shoppers who are driving beauty trends worldwide [3].

Early signs of success are mixed. Estee Lauder gained U.S. market share in prestige makeup last quarter, helped by brands like Clinique and Bumble & Bumble. However, total North American sales still declined, pressured by weak consumer sentiment. The company's focus now is on winning younger shoppers, the digital-first crowd that is influencing older generations [3].

This appointment is part of Estee Lauder's multi-year plan, Beauty Reimagined, aimed at restoring growth and lifting margins. The company is pivoting to embrace the fusion of online and in-store experiences, recognizing that consumers may discover brands through various entry points [3].

References:
[1] https://www.elcompanies.com/en/news-and-media/newsroom/press-releases/2025/07-16-2025-114507070
[2] https://www.globalcosmeticsnews.com/estee-lauder-companies-appoints-aude-gandon-as-chief-digital-marketing-officer/
[3] https://www.tradingview.com/news/gurufocus:4304058d3094b:0-estee-lauder-s-digital-wake-up-call-can-ai-and-gen-z-reverse-years-of-decline/