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Julien Bessaud

Global Chief Brand, Comms, Image, Digital Marketing Officer | Creativity for business & desirability & digital engagement
Portfolio website
About

With a solid track record in luxury and premium retail, I specialize in elevating brand desirability, (re)positioning strategies, and customer engagement across global markets. My approach blends strategic vision with creative impact, driving retail performance and business growth through transformative product launches, compelling storytelling, and innovative omnichannel strategies. I’ve delivered proven results within both global powerhouses and agile family-owned companies—L’Oréal Luxe, L’Oréal Consumer Products, Puig, Clarins, as well as top-tier creative and media agencies (OBO, Publicis, Havas). This journey has shaped a 360° business mindset, with a strong sensitivity to brand, image, and results. Fluent in English and native in French, I’m also recognized as an inspiring manager who brings teams together, nurtures talent, and drives collective ambition. My leadership style combines empathy and excellence—creating the conditions for people and brands to thrive. Respected for my ability to align aspiration with execution, I create brand universes that not only captivate, but convert.

Previous Brands
Clarins
OBO Paris, London, New York
L'Oréal
Puig
Le Monde
Havas
Publicis Groupe
Work Experience
SENIOR ADVISOR / Branding, communications, digital marketing
Jan ‘24 - Now
Self employed

Branding, communications, digital marketing strategy & implementation, AI-driven innovation, transformation, mentoring. -Confidential: FMCG premium international cosmetic brand. Teams & processes transformation, content factory & media AI-driven innovation, mentoring | UK & remote – February to May 2024. -BLEND INSPIRE: International creative agency. Representative & lead, business & curation. Empowering companies to integrate social impact & cultural relevance into their brand by connecting them with a creative talents’ global network | France–Europe - Since July 2024

Senior VP Global Brand Communications | Skincare Make-up Fragrances | Change management
Jan ‘22 - Nov ‘23
Clarins

Cosmetics | Naturalness | Responsible Beauty - CSR Communication | Digital Marketing | Transformation | Business International family business of 8,500 employees, leader in premium skincare valuing natural products & responsible beauty 🔸Role ▸Strategic Director for brand expression & uniqueness of its message, forming a global Business Unit (45 people) encompassing 6 departments: content production, copywriting, media, responsible beauty / CSR, public relations, graphic services. Executive committee 🔸Challenges ▸Define & produce all digital content (social networks, e-commerce, CRM...) and off-line (TV, print...), brand - products - CSR, worldwide (China / Asia, USA, Europe, Middle East) ▸Ensure timely and adequate deliverables (content, PR events, media...) ▸Transform organizations (teams, processes, finances), identify innovative solutions 🔸Results ▸Revitalization of skincare communications 2022/2023/2024 ▸Make-up range relaunch 2024 with communication & digital marketing strategies ▸CSR communication strategy, media partnership Amazon - AWS & Clarins ingredient traceability ▸Employer brand film ▸Enhanced social content for product launches & range support ▸E-commerce & CRM acceleration (1200+ educational product pages, diverse ages & skin types) ▸Decisive support for recurring campaign contents (Black Friday, Christmas...) ▸3D / Generative AI technology: personalized & immersive content: CRM, social networks, product sheets ▸LED XR studio technology: reduced film production timelines & costs ▸Disruptive media tool (Artificial Intelligence) assessing the creative performance of content upfront Brand acceleration | Communication Strategy | 360 Marketing | Change Management | Product Launch | Content Production | Sustainability - CSR | Budgets | Consumer Research | Digital | ROI | Media | Omni-channel | Team Management

General Manager | Fashion Jewelry Beauty | Creativity Innovation Transformation Business development
Jan ‘19 - Jan ‘21
OBO Paris, London, New York

Events | Memorable Experiences Creativity | Business Development | Change Management | CSR Independent international agency for the creation and production of innovative experiences for premium and luxury brands: creative direction, scenography & set design, location scouting, event production, content production, strategic & executive consulting 🔸Role ▸General Manager in charge of the agency's overall activities (creation, production, management, P&L, commercial) to drive revenue growth and net margin ▸Manage internal teams (20 people) of creative, production, and commercial staff, & on-demand freelancers 🔸Challenges ▸Strengthen strategy & commercial development in fashion world & new territories (cosmetics, jewelry...) ▸Transform the organization (teams, processes, and finances) ▸Implement annualized client relationships ▸Secure the legal dimension & obtain B Corp certification 🔸Results ▸Giorgio Armani (Armani Privé, Emporio Armani) ▸The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (Tom Ford Beauty) ▸L'Oréal Group (L'Oréal Paris, Helena Rubinstein) ▸LVMH (Fenty Maison, Fenty x Savage) ▸Richemont (Cartier, Piaget), ▸Ami, Tod's Group (Roger Vivier), Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren, Elie Saab, Lacoste, Farfetch Event Organization | Content Strategy | Brand | Communication Strategy | Media | Business Development | Transformation | Digital | Social Networks | Sustainability - CSR | Budgets | Time Management | International | Team Management | Luxury | Exceptional Houses

Chief Communications & Digital Officer (CCDO), L’Oréal Grand Public France | Brand, BtoC, CSR, Ecom
Jan ‘17 - Jan ‘18
L'Oréal

Cosmetics | Fragrance | Makeup | Skincare | Haircare Communication | Innovation | Digital | Transformation | Management L'Oréal is the global leader in the beauty industry. 87,000 employees, 4 divisions: Luxury, Consumer Products, Professional Products, Dermatological Beauty. Revenue 2023: €41 billion. Its values: innovation, ethics, diversity, and sustainable development 🔸Role ▸Deputy General Manager for Communication & Digital Expertise France. Executive committee ▸In charge of 23 brands including L'Oréal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline, Essie, Mixa, Cadum, Franck Provost, Dessange, Daniel Hechter, and 26 employees 🔸Challenges ▸Implement a global reorganization of L’Oréal France affecting all employees ▸Be a key player in the reconquest of market share and desirability of the brands ▸Guarantee the unique positioning of each brand, coherence between brand strategies and product marketing actions, communication, image, media, retail ▸Accelerate E-commerce and E-retail ▸Better utilize data to more precisely target consumer expectations 🔸Results ▸DNA and brand images polarized for better uniqueness and performance ▸Revenue growth through e-commerce and marketplace acceleration (Amazon, Veepee...) ▸Optimized organization (teams, processes, and finances) ▸Optimized production of digital and off-line content (visuals, films, press kits) (storytelling, quality, timelines, costs) ▸Optimized prescriber strategies and budgets (influencers, PR events) ▸Development of CRM programs ▸Definition and implementation of key performance indicators / KPIs and ROI ▸Implementation of CSR programs specific to each brand's territory Communication | Digital Marketing | E-commerce | Brand | CRM | Media | Social Networks | CSR | Change Management | Data | Product Launch | Content | Public Relations | Events | Intrapreneurship | Content Strategy | Leadership

VP International Communications, Digital & Image G. Armani Beauty / L'Oréal Luxe | Brand Image Ecom
Jan ‘12 - Jan ‘17
L'Oréal

Fragrances | Makeup | Skincare Image | Communication | Digital | Fashion | Muses 🔸Role ▸Define and implement a new image aiming to reinforce its luxury positioning and regain desirability ▸Define and execute the international strategy for global communication & digital acceleration (e-com, CRM, social networks, SEM, SEO) ▸Guarantee the cross beauty & fashion brand image and identity and relations with the designer ▸Define and implement a new organization & team (16 employees), their missions, and objectives. Executive committee 🔸Challenges ▸Define the image strategy and content production for fragrance, makeup, and skincare categories. ▸Deploy a 360 consumer experience. ▸Roll out an integrated digital transformation and vision strategy, with a new brand site featuring e-com, CRM, SEM, digital retail, and social media ▸Develop and install a global brand and product coherence, capitalizing on the fashion DNA and the designer ▸Identify international ambassadors, optimize and manage contracts 🔸Results ▸"Si", 7th top global fragrance launched in September 2013 ▸"Acqua di Gio", number 1 global in 2016 ▸"Code" top 5 global in 2016. ▸Makeup: Increased desirability and solid market share gains with the launches of Maestro fusion, Luminous silk foundation, Ecstasy lacquer, Lip magnet & Eye tint. ▸Skincare with the Crema Nera line. ▸New US e-com site in 2016: +65% YTD revenue. ▸Launch of Armani Beauty Instagram in 2016 ▸Global PR ranking in 2016: top 5 (+2 vs 2013). ▸Reconfiguration of the communication & digital expertises B.U. Communication Strategy | Brand Image | Image Management | Digital Acceleration | Content Strategy | Luxury | Digital Marketing | Media Planning | Press Relations | Media | SEM | SEO | E-com | Entrepreneurship | Change Management | Innovation | International

International Corporate Communications Director & France Fragrances PR Director
Jan ‘12 - Jan ‘12
Puig

Fragrances | Fashion | Corporate Corporate Communication | Employer Branding | Public Relations | Digital | Transformation Puig, an international family business in premium and luxury fashion and beauty, with 3,500 employees, €4.3 billion revenue in 2023. Curiosity, enthusiasm, the audacity to undertake and a strong sense of ethics and respect are its values. CORPORATE FOCUS: 🔸Role ▸Lead the corporate communication department ▸Participate in defining the new corporate positioning ▸Act directly with a global aim and support markets in the approach to new group visibility ▸Change management of the corporate communication teams (5 people) 🔸Challenges ▸Reposition the global image of Puig, its values, and its mission: "global actor in fashion & beauty, premium and luxury" and publicize it ▸Develop the employer brand for current and potential employees ▸Transform the corporate communication department 🔸Results ▸Creation/optimization of dedicated tools (new website, new internal "lifestyle" magazine, media tool-box for local markets, dedicated social network content), events (Puig Vela Classica Barcelona, preparation for the family group's centenary), CEO Marc Puig's speaking engagements with local and international media ▸Implementation of a global strategic plan for BtoB targets and employees ▸Visibility objectives of the "new" Puig brand achieved ▸Perception by BtoB targets of a true repositioned Puig group, comprised of complementary and powerful commercial brands ▸Adoption of the new image and pride among employees Corporate Brand | Employer Brand | Image Management | BtoB | Communication Strategy | Digital | Content Development | Public Relations | Transformation | Change Management | Innovation | Creativity | International | Team Management | Beauty | Fashion

International Communications Director Paco Rabanne brand+fragrances & France fragrances PR Director
Jan ‘08 - Jan ‘12
Puig

Fragrance | Fashion | Designer Communication | Innovation | Public Relations BRAND FOCUS: 🔸Role ▸Define and manage the new international communication department for Paco Rabanne brand – fragrances - fashion & heritage ▸Steer the repositioning of Paco Rabanne's brand image ▸Handle the communication in France for Paco Rabanne perfumes, Nina Ricci, Prada, Valentino; Manage relations with Prada and Valentino licenses ▸Manage the communication department for premium and luxury fragrance brands in France 🔸Challenges ▸Ensure the international launch of the new One Million fragrance ▸Convey the brand and designer Paco Rabanne's values to rebuild a global brand ▸Manage relations with the designer Paco Rabanne, serving brand reputation and business ▸Develop the market visibility in France for 4 premium fragrance brands 🔸Results ▸Definition and implementation of an international communication strategy for Paco Rabanne brand-fragrances-fashion and adapted local action plans ▸Definition and management of international launches for Paco Rabanne and 25 local launches (fragrances, fashion heritage, global brand). One Million fragrance, Top 1 globally in 2010 ▸Creation of market media kits, contents ▸Establishment of a Paco Rabanne fashion heritage department ▸Relaunch of Paco Rabanne women's fashion: accessories, RTW by a designer ▸Execution of fashion shows and press presentations ▸Reconfiguration of the international and French communication teams ▸Optimized budgets and establishment of ROI indicators Brand | Product Launch | BtoC | Communication Strategy | Innovation | Transformation | Change Management | International | French Market | Content Strategy | Image Management | Press Relations | Influencers | ROI | Team Management | Fashion Fragrance License Management

Head of lifestyle Magazines & Key Account Manager of Luxury Goods
Jan ‘99 - Jan ‘07
Le Monde

2004 to 2007: - Project development : creation of a new range of magazines ("lifestyle" collection) : marketing strategy, definition of editorial content and conception, management of contractual workers (for example "Editions Jalou" 2006), sale of advertising spaces.. 2007 turnover : 2 million euros - Promotion and sale of Le Monde brand products for the Luxury goods sector to advertisers and media agencies : newspaper, magazines, special events, infomercials, online. 2007 turnover : 8 million euros - Team management 1999 to 2003 : - Promotion and sale of Le Monde brand products to Banking & Insurance sectors, to advertisers and media agencies. - Project development : creation, conception, management and marketing of "Topfi" exhibition, on Banking, Insurance and Finance, located at the Paris stock exchange. - Creation and management of a regional network of sales representatives.

Communication Strategies Senior Consultant
Jan ‘97 - Jan ‘99
Havas

- Development of communication strategies and coordination of visual brand identity (Louis Vuitton, Air France, Philips, 9 Telecom). Media (media planning, purchase of advertising space) and others (websites, events, promotional materials, exhibition booths..) - Client development (NSMD / ABN-Amro, ...)

Consultant
Jan ‘95 - Jan ‘97
Publicis Groupe

- Advertising communication & purschase of advertising space (Renault, France Telecom, Heineken, SFR..)

Languages
English - Fluent
French - Native
Education & Training
INSEAD
‘14 - ‘15
CEDEP Master / internal L'Oréal program
ESCP Business School
‘94 - ‘95
Master's degree
Paris-Pantheon-Assas University
‘92 - ‘93
Master's degree
Paris, France