L'Oréal mixes consumer insight and tech innovation
Stephen WhitesideWarc
L'Oréal's attempts at innovation once were limited to products stacked behind beauty counters or on store shelves.
But Guive Balooch, Global VP of L'Oréal's Technology Incubator, is now leading efforts to identify start-ups and entrepreneurs that can enhance the beauty company’s capabilities in areas like wearable tech, facial-recognition apps, and product personalisation. And if these endeavors seemingly have little in common with lipstick, shampoo, and mascara, Balooch’s motivation still tracks back to old-fashioned consumer insights.
"We have over 30 brands in our portfolio. And what we wanted to do with...