Industry Leaders Convene at Council’s Annual Meeting; Elect New Officers, Spotlight on Emerging Markets and Consumer Trends
At the General Session of the Personal Care Products Council’s 117th Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida today, more than 450 industry leaders gathered to elect new officers and discuss opportunities and challenges in the global business environment in the next two decades.
In his remarks, Council Chairman Dan Brestle paid tribute to the industry’s diverse, founding icons, and noted the similarities between the challenges they faced and overcame, and industry issues and opportunities that exist today, including government regulation and the complexities in global business and digital communications. He urged industry leaders to “…marshal our intrinsic strengths as an industry and work together with our association to tackle those challenges and realize the unprecedented opportunities ahead.”
Council President and CEO Lezlee Westine outlined key Council accomplishments in 2010, including preventing the passage of onerous, new federal legislation, working to harmonize global regulations, and representing the industry’s interests before Chinese officials, and gave an overview of goals for the coming year.
Keynote speaker Joshua Cooper Ramo, called “one of China’s leading foreign-born scholars” by the World Economic Forum and an award-winning journalist and China analyst for NBC News during the 2008 Olympic Games, noted the “constant and persistent disruption” in the world today and challenged attendees to view an increasingly complex and wired world with a broader perspective.
Today’s General Session also featured a CEO panel with industry leaders E. Scott Beattie, President & CEO, Elizabeth Arden, Thia Breen, President, North America, The Estee Lauder Companies and Stefano Curti, President, J&J Consumer Products Company Beauty, who reflected on Mr. Ramo’s insights and shared how their companies are navigating the current business environment.
On March 2, keynote speaker and best-selling author, Jim Carroll, a world-renowned futurist and trends experts will address attendees during the meeting’s second general session. For more than 20 years, Carroll has been studying what makes companies “relentlessly creative” and has guided many of these companies through turbulent waters to achieve success. Business Week recently named Carroll one of only four sources of exceptional insight on innovation and creativity.
Also during the second general session, Art Spiro, Elizabeth Arden, will moderate a discussion panel with beauty editors Ying Chu, Marie Claire, Emily Dougherty, Elle, Amy Keller Laird, Allure and Genevieve Monsma, More, who will share their views on the latest trends in beauty and personal care, men’s grooming products and fashion.
In addition to Dan Brestle, who was re-elected as Chairman, the Council also elected the following Officers:
Vice Chairs: William Gentner, KAO Brands
Heidi Manheimer, Shiseido Cosmetics (USA)
Ed Shirley, Procter & Gamble
Secretary: Linda Marshall, Elysee Scientific Cosmetics
Treasurer: Scott Beattie, Elizabeth Arden