LONDON, Oct. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) ("the Company") a globally recognised leader in direct selling of beauty and related products, today announced the appointment of James Thompson as Chief Beauty & Brand Officer, effective November 1st 2018. James joins Avon following a 24-year career at Diageo PLC, most recently serving as Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer for Diageo North America.
James will focus on leveraging the strength of Avon's beauty marketing and innovation to create more agile category teams that will be structured to work much more closely with Avon's markets. He will also spearhead the rejuvenation of Avon's brand. James will report to Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Myers.
During his tenure with Diageo, James worked on three different continents where he led a fundamental strategic overhaul and restructuring, including a culture and organisation transformation. As Global Managing Director of Diageo's Luxury Portfolio, he led a total review of the portfolio resulting in the company accelerating growth to gain leadership of the luxury drinks market despite a slowdown in the market. Prior to that he was Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer for Diageo Asia Pacific and Global Travel. Before Diageo James spent 10 years at Unilever PLC, serving in various marketing positions.
"Chief Beauty & Brand Officer is a strategically vital role at Avon, and we couldn't be more pleased to have an executive of James' caliber join us," said Jonathan. "James has a well established track record of turning around large and small brands throughout the world at both luxury and mainstream price points. We are confident that James' breadth of experience, in-depth digital capabilities, and new product marketing and innovation expertise will further deepen Avon's connection with its consumers and representatives."
"I am eager to join Avon and help lead a brand that has been a hallmark of women's beauty and empowerment for over a century," said James. "I am looking forward to interacting directly with consumers as we work to modernise the brand and focus on creating an Avon that supports women–and their beauty needs more than ever before."
With James' appointment, Avon's current GVP, Global Brand Marketing, Alex Long, will transition to GVP, Global Commercial Marketing to drive marketing execution, brochure excellence & revenue growth management across the organisation.
About Avon Products, Inc.
Avon is the Company that for 130 years has proudly stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and, above all, for women. Avon products include well-recognised and beloved brands such as ANEW, Avon Color, Avon Care, Skin-So-Soft, and Advance Techniques sold through approximately 6 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the Company's ability to develop more compelling consumer propositions and modernize the Avon brand. Because forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility of business disruption, competitive uncertainties, and general economic and business conditions in Avon's markets as well as the other risks detailed in Avon's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Avon undertakes no obligation to update any statements in this press release for changes that happen after the date of this release.
