The Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL) is moving fast to prove its turnaround is real. On April 1, 2026, the New York based beauty giant announced the appointment of WPP as its first ever global media partner, a landmark move that fully establishes its “One ELC” operating model and marks a significant milestone in the company’s Profit Recovery and Growth Plan (PRGP).
The One ELC model is built on three pillars: One Team, deployed in July 2025 to flatten hierarchies and speed up decision-making; One Culture, introduced in February 2026 to embed accountability and entrepreneurial thinking; and One Operating Ecosystem, now fully in place, connecting shared platforms, data, and strategic partners across all brands and regions.
WPP Takes the Helm on Global Media
The partnership with WPP replaces a fragmented, decentralized regional media structure with a unified, AI-enabled global system built for precision and scale. The move is designed to strengthen Estée Lauder‘s ability to generate and capture consumer demand while improving media effectiveness across every market.
“Today, beauty is discovered and experienced across a constantly evolving mix of platforms,” Aude Gandon, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies, said. “To lead in this environment, we are building a connected, AI-enabled media system that brings brand building and performance together at global scale.”
A Coordinated Ecosystem of Partners
WPP joins a set of best-in-class strategic partners already embedded within the One Operating Ecosystem:
- Accenture is transforming shared services through the company’s Enterprise Business Services (EBS) model, with full implementation on track before the end of calendar year 2026
- Shopify powers the company’s global direct-to-consumer omnichannel experience — the initial rollout with TOM FORD BEAUTY‘s brand.com in the U.S. has already delivered improved sales, conversion, and average order value; 50% of in-scope DTC business is expected to launch by the end of 2026
Profit Recovery on Track
As of March 31, 2026, The Estée Lauder Companies has approved initiatives expected to deliver total gross benefits at the high end of its targeted range of $0.8 billion to $1.0 billion, with expected total charges at the mid-point of the estimated range of $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion. All business case approvals for the Restructuring Program are expected to be completed by June 30, 2026, with execution substantially complete by the end of fiscal 2027.
“With the appointment of WPP as our first-ever global media partner, our One ELC operating model is now fully established,” Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO, The Estée Lauder Companies, said. “This more unified and scalable system will enable us to be faster, more agile and efficient, and support unlocking additional growth.”
