AGON HONORED BY AJC
L’Oréal’s Frédéric Rozé, Lindsay Owen-Jones and Jean-Paul Agon with Macy’s Terry Lundgren and Publicis’ Maurice Lévy
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) presented its International Human Relations Award to Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO of L’Oréal at a gala dinner on October 3 at Manhattan’s New York Hilton. The award is in recognition of Mr. Agon’s “global leadership, vision and corporate citizenship.”
In accepting the award, Mr. Agon declared, “the AJC and L’Oréal have much in common. We share similar core values. Ethics, integrity, respect, spirit of tolerance, acceptance of diversity are as much a part of your DNA as they are part of ours. They resonate with the humanistic approach that will always inspire our vision and our actions as citizens of the world.”
“Most important are the very strong bonds of trust and friendship existing between L’Oréal and Israel,” he noted. “We are strongly committed to our continued development and investment in this country.” Today, L’Oréal is the biggest manufacturer of beauty products in Israel.
Over 600 guests, some traveling from France and Israel, attended the event, which raised $1.35 million for AJC. During the evening, there were repeated references to and praise for the values and commitment to human rights that AJC and L’Oréal share.
Mr. Agon chats with International Flavors & Fragrances’ Nicolas Mirzayantz.
AJC’s Executive Director David Harris affirmed, “We are delighted to honor Jean-Paul Agon, an outstanding corporate leader and look forward to further strengthening our friendship and cooperation with L’Oréal. Its engagement with Israel stands out as a model for global corporations that recognize the intrinsic value of investing in and working with the Israeli people.”
The AJC award was presented to Mr. Agon by Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Honorary Chairman of L’Oréal. He spoke admiringly of Mr. Agon, with whom he has worked closely for 30 years, and passionately about Israel. Sir Owen-Jones affirmed that the “support of Jean-Paul and the AJC on this special night encourages all of us to persevere in the hope that we may one day replace intolerance and hate with respect and dignity, that we may help to enrich the quality of life for all people.”
He maintained that “the work of AJC has never been more vital. If ever there was a time to invest our collective energies to support initiatives that will allow the next generation to live in peace and harmony, it is now.”
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| Bloomingdale’s Michael Gould joins Mr. Agon and Sir Owen-Jones. |
Condé Nast’s Charles Townsend congratulates Mr. Agon on his award. | Mr. Lundgren and Tina Lundgren with Mr. Agon |