Emily Byrne – General Manager UK & Ireland – YSL Beauty, L’Oreal

Having recently been promoted to Marketing Director (August 2014) Emily manages a portfolio of seven designer fragrance brands including Diesel, Viktor & Rolf and Ralph Lauren. She is responsible for defining and implementing the brands’ media, communications and launch strategies, ensuring that the plans are tailored to each brand’s unique DNA. Key achievements include regaining the no. 2 spot in the market for Diesel Only The Brave in 2013, the launch of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Red, as well as continuing a decade of double digit growth on Viktor & Rolf with the launches of Spicebomb and BonBon.

Prior to this, Emily spent 5 years building her skincare expertise both in international product development and UK operational marketing. At L’OrŽal Luxe’s headquarters in Paris, Emily developed new skincare innovations for Lanc™me’s RŽnergie, the no. 1 anti-age franchise worldwide. She launched RŽnergie Yeux Multiple Lift, which was top 5 eye care in 5 European countries, with the first scent seal samples in skincare, and the first 100% un-retouched before/after photos used in a communications campaign for a luxury brand. She then went on to undertake a full renovation of the RŽnergie franchise, including the first anti-age CC cream and specific formulas for the Chinese and US markets.

Emily started her career at L’OrŽal working at Lanc™me UK where she masterminded the game-changing launch of GŽnifique, the brand’s biggest launch ever and the first luxury skincare product advertised on television. Thanks to strong growth in the year after launch, GŽnifique remains one of the brand’s key pillars today.