Prestige post for Maybelline chief

Cosmetics company L’Oréal has appointed Angela Merendoni-Lucas marketing director for its luxury goods division, Prestige & Collections, as it gears up for a raft of new product launches.

Cosmetics company L’Oréal has appointed Angela Merendoni-Lucas marketing director for its luxury goods division, Prestige & Collections, as it gears up for a raft of new product launches.

Merendoni-Lucas, former marketing manager for L’Oréal cosmetics brand Maybelline, will be responsible for marketing, new product development and launches in the UK. She reports to Prestige & Collections managing director Rod Kelly.

It is believed that there were no immediate plans to fill the position of marketing director for Prestige & Collections, which had been vacant for a year. But the division is planning cosmetics launches for next year.

The Prestige & Collections division includes Giorgio Armani fragrances and make-up, and Paloma Picasso, Lancôme, Ralph Lauren and Guy Laroche fragrances.

Merendoni-Lucas says: “My focus as marketing director is to build the business.” She declined to comment on the new launches.

At Maybelline, Merendoni-Lucas launched Express 3-in-1 make-up, Ultra Lasting nail varnish and, most recently, Full ‘n’ Soft Mascara. She was also responsible for advertising.

Maybelline is launching its first UK Internet site, www.maybelline.com, on October 16. Designed by web agency Zentropy Partners, the site will include beauty, fashion, lifestyle, gossip, competition and interactive forums. It intends to offer Maybelline products for sale in the future.

The website launch will be supported by a radio and online advertising campaign, starting on October 16.