The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) has announced the appointment of Aude Gandon as its first Chief Digital & Marketing Officer (CDMO), effective August 1, 2025. Gandon will report directly to Stéphane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, and will become a member of the company’s Executive Team.
In this newly created role, Gandon will lead a unified strategy across digital, marketing, and media, overseeing global digital commerce and shaping end-to-end consumer engagement strategies across Estée Lauder’s prestigious brand portfolio. Her appointment marks a strategic shift, emphasizing marketing’s role as a commercial growth engine in a rapidly evolving beauty landscape.
“Aude is an exceptional and accomplished global marketing leader with extensive experience transforming major consumer-facing businesses in the digital age,” said de La Faverie. “Her expertise across brand strategy, digital transformation, and data analytics will be instrumental as we continue to build stronger consumer connections and shape the future of prestige beauty.”
Gandon joins from Nestlé, where she served as Global Chief Marketing Officer, leading the digital transformation of over 2,000 brands across 188 markets. There, she introduced new operating models, launched global content studios, and forged high-level partnerships with platforms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Netflix.
Her prior experience includes senior roles at Google, most notably as Global Managing Director for Platform & Ecosystems, and leadership positions in global advertising firms including Publicis Worldwide, McCann, and Leo Burnett. She has worked with iconic beauty and luxury brands such as L’Oréal, P&G Beauty, and LVMH, giving her deep familiarity with the prestige beauty category.
As CDMO, Gandon’s wide-ranging remit will cover:
- Precision marketing and creative operations
- Consumer and category insights
- Omnichannel media strategy and global digital commerce
- Consumer care, regional store design, and visual merchandising
She will collaborate closely with regional leaders to accelerate online performance, driving creativity and precision to strengthen brand equity and elevate every consumer touchpoint.
“I am thrilled to join The Estée Lauder Companies, a company with an unparalleled portfolio of powerful brands and a strong heritage of innovation,” said Gandon. “As consumer behaviors continue to evolve, the opportunity to lead the digital and marketing transformation for a premier prestige beauty company is incredibly exciting.”
Gandon is also an established industry voice, serving on the boards of the World Federation of Advertisers, where she chairs the Global CMO Committee, and previously on CAPSUM, an innovative developer of skincare and makeup formulations. She also contributes to Amazon’s Ad Council and Meta’s Client Council.
Her appointment reflects Estée Lauder’s strategic priority to deepen consumer relationships and sharpen digital capabilities in a competitive global beauty landscape.
