Fernando J. Acosta Joins Avon as President, Latin America

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.