NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avon
Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today announced that it has named
Fernando J. Acosta as President,
Latin America, effective
December 1. Mr. Acosta will
report to Charles Herington,
Executive Vice President, Developing Market Group and serve on
Avon's Executive Committee.
Mr. Acosta joins Avon after 19
years at Unilever, where he advanced through a series of senior
operating positions with increasing responsibility in Latin America, Europe, Asia
and the United States.
His career portfolio includes an impressive track record of
building and managing consumer-focused businesses in developed,
developing and emerging markets. He also has had operating
responsibility for some of Unilever's most prominent brand names,
including Dove, Axe, Ponds, Rexona and others.
Most recently, Mr. Acosta has served as Senior Vice President
for Unilever in the Middle Americas based in Colombia, with responsibility for the
company's personal care, home care, food and beverage businesses
spanning nine countries in Latin
America.
From 2008-2010, Mr. Acosta was Senior Vice President for
Unilever's Skin Care and Cleansing businesses in Asia, Africa,
Middle East and Turkey based in Singapore. From 2004-2008, he was based
in Connecticut working for the
Dove brand and was part of the launch of Dove's iconic "Campaign
for Real Beauty." In his role as Senior Vice President for
Dove Personal Care worldwide, he led the "Dove Self-Esteem Fund" as
well as innovative new product lines such as Pro Age.
Prior to 2004, Mr. Acosta was based in Argentina and the U.K. working for Unilever's
Deodorants and Hair Care businesses in Latin America and Europe.
"We are delighted to welcome Fernando to Avon as leader of our largest Commercial
Business Unit (CBU)," said Andrea
Jung, Avon's Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer. "He has an impressive 20-year track record
of managing successful consumer businesses with a focus on market
share gains and operational excellence. His extensive
experience in developed, developing and emerging markets
demonstrates his effectiveness as a commercial leader, and his
global operating experience across diverse geographies and
categories will be a critical asset for building on Avon's strong foundation and advancing our
longer-term growth potential in Latin
America."
Avon, the company for
women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's
largest direct seller, Avon
markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately
6.5 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives.
Avon's product line includes
beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features
such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, ANEW,
Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and
mark. Learn more about Avon
and its products at www.avoncompany.com.
SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.