Jean-Paul Agon To Succeed Peyrelongue at L’Oreal USA

Jean-Paul Agon succeeded Guy Peyrelongue as president and chief executive officer of L’Oreal USA. The move was effective Oct. 1. “Under Guy Peyrelongue’s leadership and direction, L’Oreal USA has achieved a long period of exceptional success and has become the leading U.S. marketer of cosmetic products,” said Lindsay Owen-Jones, chairman and CEO of the L’Oreal Group, Paris. “Jean-Paul Agon’s highly successful track record in a wide range of international assignments within the group makes him a natural successor for this important post.”

Mr. Agon, 44, joined the L’Oreal Paris Group in 1978. In 1997, he was appointed managing director of the Asia zone, responsible for all of the group’s activities in the region, including salon products, consumer products, luxury products and active cosmetics.

Mr. Peyrelongue served as president and CEO of L’Oreal USA for 15 years. during that time, he was instrumental in many of the company’s strategic brand acquisitions, including Maybelline, Redken, Soft Sheen, Carson Products, Matrix and Kiehls. He will remain a member of the executive committee until his retirement at the end of the year.