After announcing last week that she will be moving on from her current role on February 3, Revlon's senior manager of public relations and social media Simone Cunico has revealed exclusively to BD where she's heading next. As of February 14 Cunico will be working at Sydney-based beauty start-up Bod Australia. Here she discusses her career highlights so far and what she's most looking forward to in her new position.
Where did you start your career in beauty?
I started my career in beauty in-house as PR Manager at professional spa brand Pevonia Botanica based in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
What drew you into beauty as a career?
As a beauty enthusiast I was always interested in all areas of beauty from skincare to makeup so it was a natural pull for me. Also my best university girlfriend Alice Hampton (former Communications Manager Estée Lauder) who went into beauty straight from uni used to tell me how wonderful the industry was so that was added inspiration for me!
What have been some of the highlights in your career in beauty?
I have been so fortunate to have experienced some amazing things in the last decade in beauty. I get so much out of being able to activate for a brand in new and beautiful ways locally (and there’s too many highlights to list) but because travel is such a personal interest, I think my top career highlights would have to be: spending a week in the Seychelles with Harper's BAZAAR for Pevonia Botanica, attending the global launch for Jean Paul Gaultier’s MADAME fragrance in a converted mansion in Paris, meeting Max and Lubov Azria of BCBG at their home in Los Angeles for their global fragrance launch, and spending a week in New York with Stephanie Darling for Elizabeth Arden! That is just to name a few!
What is next for you after Revlon?
Head of Brands & Communications at Bod Australia, an Australian business specialising in evidence based natural skincare, beauty and health solutions for inside and out. The company is a developer, manufacturer, distributor and exclusive importer, exporter and marketer of premium brands and products. I'll be working on their main beauty brands Dr Roebucks and Bio Effect right away.
What was compelling about this new role?
Being a start-up I will be involved from the early stages of the business, which presents new and exciting challenges. Being able to control the brands from all angles is very exciting for me! Also Bod is more aligned to my personal interests of health and wellness.
This new role is very different from working for a multinational brand. What are you most looking forward to in this new role?
Yes it really couldn’t get much more different. I am so looking forward to bringing the Australian market natural solutions that work inside and out, and marketing them in ways traditionally that haven’t been done in this area of beauty. Also in smaller companies, you see the ripples of change right away and that is very exciting for me!
