Suzanne Ayello has joined McCann New York as managing partner to lead the L’Oréal U.S. business. Reporting into Charlotte Franceries, global business leader for L’Oréal and McCann Paris presidente, and working into Amber Guild, CEO of McCann NY, Ayello will leverage her extensive experience in the beauty category on behalf of L’Oréal’s suite of brands.
Ayello joins McCann after more than a decade at Grey, where she served as partner, leading iconic global brands including Gillette Venus, Gillette, MassMutual and IHG Hotels & Resorts. Ayello brings more than 25 years of expertise in transforming brands and businesses through innovative brand experiences. Throughout her career, she’s worked at top agencies including 360i and Saatchi & Saatchi for brands across beauty, CPG, health, and retail sectors.
“Suzanne has a proven track record of driving meaningful work for a diverse range of clients, and I’ve seen this first-hand. Her passion for understanding people and creating compelling brand experiences aligns perfectly with McCann’s commitment to ‘Truth Well Told,’” said Guild. “Her leadership and innovative approach will be invaluable as we continue to elevate L’Oréal’s brand presence globally.”
Ayello has dedicated a significant portion of her career to launching successful new products and global campaigns for beauty brands such as Olay, Clairol, Head & Shoulders, Revlon, Almay and most recently, her work for Gillette, Venus, and Galderma Aesthetics at Grey.
“The work McCann and L’Oréal have created throughout the years is a testament not only to the strong relationship, but trusted partnership in each other. It’s rare to see that in the industry and it’s also incredibly powerful,” said Ayello. “My passion has always been in the beauty industry and I’m excited to be part of the next chapter in building the L’Oréal brand.”
McCann New York and L’Oréal’s relationship began in 1969. Together, they have helped make L’Oréal Paris the #1 beauty brand in the US. The suite of brand’s McCann New York represents include L’Oréal Paris, Urban Decay, NYX Professional Makeup, Thayers and Carol’s Daughter. Recent work includes NYX Professional Makeup’s Super Bowl debut with “Lips Only” starring Cardi B and the launch of Colorsonic, a first-of-its-kind at-home hair color device.
McCann Worldgroup and Traverse32, along with two-time Oscar winning filmmaker Ben Proudfoot partnered with L’Oréal to create a new documentary The Final Copy of Ilon Specht which debuted at Tribeca X. The documentary celebrates the impact the McCann copywriter–who coined L’Oréal’s iconic “Because I’m Worth it” tagline in the early 1970s–had on the brand, the world of advertising and women around the world.
“We are delighted to welcome Suzanne to the McCann L’Oréal team to lead the brand’s US business,” said Franceries. “Her deep expertise within the beauty category will bolster our existing industry leading talent and bring great value to our long-standing brand platform work with L’Oréal.”
Ayello graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and School of Management with a dual major in Magazine and Marketing. She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY, with her two children and rescue pup.
