02.28.22
John Demsey couldn't outrun the tsunami of negative publicity surrounding his offensive Instagram post. This week, Demsey will be relieved of his duties at The Estée Lauder Companies.
In a letter shared today with ELC employees this morning, Executive Chairman William P. Lauder and President and CEO Fabrizio Freda wrote:
"Today, John Demsey, Executive Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies, was informed he must leave the company, effective this week.
This decision is the result of his recent Instagram posts, which do not reflect the values of The Estée Lauder Companies, have caused widespread offense, are damaging to our efforts to drive inclusivity both inside and outside our walls, and do not reflect the judgment we expect of our leaders.
Inclusion, diversity and equity are core to our company’s values and priorities globally. Furthermore, over the past two years, we have worked together as an organization to advance our approach to racial equity and have taken a hard look at where we can and should do better. Together we are making progress against our commitments to our employees, our partners, and consumers.
Our employees, and especially our senior leaders, are accountable to continue driving our progress and to respect the values of this company for the long term."
Demsey joined The Estée Lauder Companies in 1991 as VP-sales, for the Estée Lauder brand in its West Coast region, and was later promoted to SVP-sales for the brand in 1993. In 1998, Demsey was appointed president of M·A·C. In January 2005, Demsey was named global brand president of Estée Lauder and M·A·C, and also assumed responsibility for Tom Ford Beauty and Prescriptives.
Demsey also served as chairman of the M·A·C AIDS Fund, which has raised more than $500 million to date in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Before joining The Estée Lauder Companies, Demsey was vice president of sales at the specialty division of Revlon. He also held various executive merchandising positions with Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Benetton and Saks Fifth Avenue.
In a letter shared today with ELC employees this morning, Executive Chairman William P. Lauder and President and CEO Fabrizio Freda wrote:
"Today, John Demsey, Executive Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies, was informed he must leave the company, effective this week.
This decision is the result of his recent Instagram posts, which do not reflect the values of The Estée Lauder Companies, have caused widespread offense, are damaging to our efforts to drive inclusivity both inside and outside our walls, and do not reflect the judgment we expect of our leaders.
Inclusion, diversity and equity are core to our company’s values and priorities globally. Furthermore, over the past two years, we have worked together as an organization to advance our approach to racial equity and have taken a hard look at where we can and should do better. Together we are making progress against our commitments to our employees, our partners, and consumers.
Our employees, and especially our senior leaders, are accountable to continue driving our progress and to respect the values of this company for the long term."
Demsey joined The Estée Lauder Companies in 1991 as VP-sales, for the Estée Lauder brand in its West Coast region, and was later promoted to SVP-sales for the brand in 1993. In 1998, Demsey was appointed president of M·A·C. In January 2005, Demsey was named global brand president of Estée Lauder and M·A·C, and also assumed responsibility for Tom Ford Beauty and Prescriptives.
Demsey also served as chairman of the M·A·C AIDS Fund, which has raised more than $500 million to date in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Before joining The Estée Lauder Companies, Demsey was vice president of sales at the specialty division of Revlon. He also held various executive merchandising positions with Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Benetton and Saks Fifth Avenue.