The Estée Lauder Companies has appointed Madeleine Boyd as senior vice president, global brand communications, effective July 20, 2026, as the prestige beauty company continues to strengthen its brand-building capabilities following its recent decision to retain several brands that had been the subject of divestiture speculation.
The appointment also comes as Estée Lauder continues to refine its portfolio and growth strategy under CEO Stéphane de La Faverie. In recent weeks, the company confirmed it would retain Too Faced, Smashbox and Dr. Jart+ after reviewing strategic alternatives, underscoring its focus on revitalizing existing brands. The move also follows the collapse of merger talks with Puig, with de La Faverie later stating the companies could not agree on valuation and reiterating that Estée Lauder will pursue acquisitions only when they meet its financial criteria for growth, profitability and price. Instead, the company remains focused on executing its Beauty Reimagined transformation plan, strengthening brand desirability and improving long-term profitability through its "One ELC" operating model.
In her newly created role, Boyd will establish and lead a centralized global brand communications organization responsible for aligning communications across Estée Lauder's brands while developing a cohesive enterprise-wide strategy. The function will focus on driving earned media, increasing cultural relevance and expanding creator engagement as prestige beauty brands compete for consumer attention across social media and digital platforms.
The appointment reflects Estée Lauder's broader transformation strategy, which has included organizational restructuring, operational efficiencies and renewed investment in brand desirability as the company works to return to sustainable growth.
Boyd joins from Together Group, where she most recently served as global senior vice president, beauty and wellness, overseeing strategy, growth and market positioning across the group's network of 15 agencies and consultancies. Prior to that, she spent nearly seven years at luxury communications agency Karla Otto, ultimately serving as senior vice president, global beauty and wellness, advising leading prestige beauty and luxury brands on communications strategy and consumer engagement.
Earlier in her career, Boyd held brand marketing, digital content and editorial roles at MECCA and Vogue Australia, providing experience across retail, media and luxury beauty.
"Madeleine brings a powerful combination of strategic communications expertise, cultural fluency, and a deep understanding of today's beauty consumer," said Meridith Webster, chief communications and public affairs officer at The Estée Lauder Companies. "As we continue to evolve how our brands engage consumers and shape conversations globally, Madeleine will lead a best-in-class Global Brand Communications organization that elevates our storytelling, strengthens collaboration across our portfolio, and helps our brands earn relevance, resonance, and long-term desirability."
The creation of a centralized communications function underscores the company's recognition that brand storytelling has become a strategic growth lever in prestige beauty. As consumers increasingly discover products through creators, social platforms and earned media rather than traditional advertising, Estée Lauder is positioning its communications organization to build stronger cultural relevance and more consistent messaging across its portfolio—including brands it has now committed to retaining for future growth.
