Estee Lauder 2010 Annual Report Download - page 5

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In my new role as Executive Chairman, I have had the privilege of traveling around the world to participate
in important industry-wide conversations— from trade relations and regulatory affairs to marketing
and communications. In the face of potential changes to the laws governing how we and other branded
companies do business, I went to Europe to speak with lawmakers and the media to explain the
importance of maintaining the laws allowing for selective distribution of luxury products both online and in
retail establishments. Along with other leaders across our industry, I was able to contribute to the efforts to
preserve not only our business but our industry’s heritage of providing the best products and experiences
that have, for decades, distinguished us from our mass competition. I truly believe it is the responsibility of
each of us in a position of leadership to become more intimately involved in supporting those objectives
and investment priorities that are most relevant to our business, and I was honored to play my part on
behalf of our Company.
In March, I joined my cousin Jane Lauder, Global President and General Manager of our Origins and Ojon
brands and a member of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Board of Directors, at the launch of Origins
in China, one of our most strategic markets. This was a particularly significant event for the brand and a
milestone for our Company as we continue to expand our business in China. As one of the brand’s original
founders, I am proud to report that, as our ninth brand to join our China portfolio, Origins is showing
notable promise.
“ I believe that the success of a company depends on
contributions at every level.”
As the head of our management’s Investment Development Committee, I had the opportunity to help
guide the recent acquisition of Smashbox Cosmetics. One of our strengths is our ability to identify brands
with unique positioning and nurture those brands to accelerate their momentum and realize their full
growth potential. We share strong cultural and strategic synergies with Smashbox and I have great
confidence that, over time, it will be an excellent addition to our world-class portfolio of brands.
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