L'Oreal USA Women in Digital to Award Three "NEXT Generation Awards" to Female Entrepreneurs Creating Ground Breaking Technology

NEW YORK, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- L'Oreal USA is proud to announce the open call nominations for the 2^nd annual L'Oreal USA Women in Digital "NEXT Generation Awards" and the opportunity to be one of three honorary recipients. L'Oreal USA Women in Digital is an initiative that focuses on women working in digital marketing, technology and IT functions. The program offers opportunities for women entrepreneurs to address the beauty industry with technology created by women that engage connected female consumers.

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"As the world's leading beauty company, L'Oreal has the opportunity to make a difference and to support women in technology," said Rachel Weiss, Vice President, Digital Strategy and Innovation at L'Oreal USA and Chair of L'Oreal USA Women in Digital. "Through the L'Oreal USA Women in Digital Program, our mission is to revolutionize the digital space and path-to-purchase by continuing to support rising female entrepreneurs in technology and innovation that will shape the next generation of the beauty industry."

In 2013, the L'Oreal USA Women in Digital program will award three women-led companies with the opportunity to pilot their technology with L'Oreal brands; to be introduced to investors and executives; and receive mentorship from Advisory Board members and program partners.

"At L'Oreal we believe in entrepreneurship – Identifying and partnering with digital technologies designed by women, for women, matches our passion for beauty and progress. These technologies help contribute to the development and marketing of innovative consumer products to directly address our consumers, who are primarily women," stated Marc Speichert, Chief Marketing Officer at L'Oreal USA.

For this year's "NEXT Generation Awards", L'Oreal USA Women in Digital is looking to recognize best-in-class women-operated companies that can help the program engage with CONNECTED CONSUMERS with the following objectives for L'Oreal USA (one or more):

• Create a digital experience helping beauty shoppers choose and purchase beauty products in mass retailers, hair salons, online or at beauty counters and specialty stores.
• Leverage and gather data to help us acquire new customers across our portfolio of brands.
• Provide us with a new channel for customer acquisition or loyalty for beauty customers across all digital platforms, mobile and emerging technology.
• Able to create technology to help diagnose and recommend beauty regimens for skincare analysis, makeup and hair color trials driving to online or in-store purchase.
• Any disruptive technology that we may not even know about today!

Final nominees and winners will be selected using a scorecard judged by a panel of L'Oreal USA executives, venture capital partners, and L'Oreal USA Women in Digital Board of Advisors.  The honorees will be announced and celebrated at a private invitation-only event attended by digital industry leaders, investors, L'Oreal top executives and press.  Recipients also receive: airfare, two nights' accommodation, and an itinerary introducing them to investors, L'Oreal executives and strategic partners.

The entry period is open April 3^rd through May 20^th on www.lorealwomenindigital.com. Additionally, through the L'Oreal Next Lab, all nominations will be considered for future partnership to continue its support of female owned and co-owned technology companies.  

L'OREAL USA Internal Women in Digital Program
As part of the ongoing commitment to supporting women in digital career paths at L'Oreal USA, L'Oreal will be hosting internal meetings, events, speakers and workshops for all L'Oreal USA employees. The goal of these gatherings will be to provide internal support, inspiration and mentoring for all women at L'Oreal already working or interested in working in digital and IT functions.

L'OREAL USA
L'Oreal USA, headquartered in New York City, is the #1 wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oreal SA, the world's leading beauty company. In addition to corporate headquarters in New York, L'Oreal USA has Research and Innovation and Manufacturing and Distribution facilities across seven other states including New Jersey, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, Texas and Washington.   For more information on our brands visit http://www.lorealusa.com.  Follow us on Facebook at L'Oreal USA - Corporate Facebook Page and Twitter @LOrealUSACorp.

L'OREAL USA
http://lorealwomenindigital.com/
https://twitter.com/lorealwid

SOURCE L'Oreal USA