L'Oréal vs P&G

Hightouch Names Matthew Lubeck General Manager EMEA

Hightouch, a leader in data and AI for marketing, has appointed Matthew Lubeck as General Manager for EMEA. Based in London, Lubeck will lead all go-to-market functions across the region as Hightouch drives adoption of agentic marketing. The company reports over 100% growth in each of the past two years and recently closed a $150 million Series D. Hightouch already has offices in London and Paris, native-speaking teams across multiple European markets, and a new team in Dubai. Lubeck brings 20 years of experience, having previously launched and led Amperity's EMEA business and held leadership roles at L'Oréal and Estée Lauder. Hightouch's platform supports EU data residency and runs inside customers' data warehouses, with clients including Accor, HelloFresh, Currys, and Telenor.

• Hightouch appoints Matthew Lubeck as General Manager EMEA, based in London.
• Lubeck previously launched and led EMEA business at Amperity.
• Hightouch reported over 100% growth in each of the past two years.

L'Oréal rolls out internal GPT to 90,000 employees

In a podcast interview, L'Oréal's DACH CIO Arooj Humayun detailed the company's three-stage plan for integrating generative AI across its 90,000 employees. The plan includes awareness building, training, and tool deployment. To ensure data privacy and compliance with stringent German regulations, L'Oréal developed its own internal platform, L'Oréal GPT, which runs on-premise and uses vetted large language models. This prevents any data from leaving the company. Additionally, they use a tool called CreateTech for image generation. The company is now moving towards AI agents, dubbed 'Companions', which can execute actions like booking travel. Usage is measured via anonymized prompt counts. The initiative aims to empower employees in various departments, including finance, HR, and marketing, to automate repetitive tasks.

• L'Oréal has 90,000 employees.
• L'Oréal developed its own internal AI platform called L'Oréal GPT.
• L'Oréal GPT runs on-premise and uses vetted large language models.

Omnicom Media Group Wins L'Oréal's €350M Media Account

The Omnicom Media Group has won the media pitch for L'Oréal's €350 million account. The dedicated agency for the cosmetics giant will be named Beauty Co-Lab. The new agency is set to launch in January 2027. This follows the recent announcement that Wavemaker, the incumbent, lost the account. The article provides details on the agency structure and confirms the name of the new entity, but the full details are behind a paywall.

US Ad Giants Cut Ad Spending Share to 5.5%

The WARC Global Ad Trends report titled 'The cost of being seen' analyzed the advertising-to-sales ratio of 25 major US advertisers, including Coca-Cola and P&G. The analysis reveals that the average ad-to-sales ratio has declined to 5.5%. This indicates a reduction in advertising intensity among large US corporations. Concurrently, WARC Media forecasts global ad spending to increase by 11.9% in 2026 to $1.34 trillion. The report highlights a strategic shift as brands allocate budgets more efficiently, possibly influenced by economic pressures and the need for greater ROI.

• WARC analyzed 25 major US advertisers including Coca-Cola and P&G.
• The average ad-to-sales ratio fell to 5.5%.
• WARC Media forecasts global ad spending to rise by 11.9% in 2026 to $1.34 trillion.

8-K Financial Filing Analysis for P&G (2026-10-13)

On October 13, 2026, The Procter & Gamble Company announced via Form 8-K that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.0885 per share on both its Common Stock and Series A and Series B ESOP Convertible Class A Preferred Stock. The dividend is scheduled for payment on or after November 16, 2026, to Common Stock shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 23, 2026, and to ESOP Preferred shareholders of record at the opening of business on the same date. Concurrently, the Company announced that preliminary voting results from its Annual Meeting of Shareholders confirmed the successful election of all twelve director nominees to the Board of Directors.

• Declared a quarterly dividend of $1.0885 per share on Common Stock and Series A and Series B ESOP Convertible Class A Preferred Stock.
• Set the dividend record date for October 23, 2026, with distributions payable on or after November 16, 2026.
• Confirmed the election of all twelve Director nominees to the Board of Directors based on preliminary Annual Meeting voting results.

10-K Financial Filing Analysis for P&G (2026-08-04)

Procter & Gamble (P&G) reported its full-year financial results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026. Consolidated net sales increased 3% year-over-year to $87.03 billion, supported by 1% organic sales growth and a 2% favorable foreign exchange impact. Operating income decreased 3% to $19.75 billion due to a 100-basis-point decline in gross margin to 50.2% and higher marketing spending in SG&A. Net earnings rose slightly to $16.14 billion ($16.05 billion attributable to P&G), with diluted EPS improving 2% to $6.62, aided by share repurchases and non-operating gains including $261 million from the expiration and dissolution of the Glad joint venture interest. Operating cash flow remained strong at $19.56 billion, supporting $15.84 billion in adjusted free cash flow (100% productivity). The company continued executing its multi-year portfolio and productivity plan, incurring $903 million after tax in restructuring costs in fiscal 2026. P&G also announced an agreement on August 4, 2026, to acquire premium supplement brand Thorne for $3.8 billion.

• Net sales grew 3% to $87,032 million (organic sales up 1%), while net earnings attributable to P&G reached $16,046 million with diluted EPS of $6.62 (Core EPS of $6.89).
• Operating cash flow reached $19,556 million, delivering $15,835 million in adjusted free cash flow and achieving an adjusted free cash flow productivity rate of 100%.
• Subsequent to fiscal year-end on August 4, 2026, P&G signed an agreement to acquire premium wellness brand Thorne for $3.8 billion.