May 3rd, 2022 | The Art of Timekeeping: A Conversation with Ginny Wright, CEO of Audemars Piguet Americas
GRLA was thrilled to host that Ginny Right, CEO of Audemars Piguet Americas, for an in-person conversation on May 3rd at 6:00pm in Lohfink Auditorium, moderated by Professor Ricardo Ernst.
Audemars Piguet is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches and clocks. Founded in 1875, Audemars Piguet is one of the world’s most highly regarded luxury watchmakers and is most well known for its AP Royal Oak Series- which pioneered the luxury sports watch category.
Ms. Ginny Wright joined Audemars Piguet (North America) Inc. as CEO, effective January 18, 2021. Based in the company’s New York City office, Ms. Wright oversees all of the business activities in North America as well as Latin America and reports directly to Mr. Yves Meylan, Chief Commercial Officer and Mr. Francois-Henry Bennahmias, Global Chief Executive Officer, both based at the company’s headquarters in Switzerland.
Ms. Wright brings her deep knowledge and understanding of the luxury goods retail sector to Audemars Piguet following an extensive career with L’Oréal USA, where she held various senior leadership positions within the group during the last decade. Most recently, she served as President of Kiehl’s Since 1851, where she was responsible for continuing the brand’s accelerated growth and driving its rich digital, data and retail programs. Prior to this role, Ms. Wright worked as Global Deputy General Manager of Ralph Lauren Fragrances and in roles overseeing national accounts and retail marketing for Lancôme.
A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Ms. Wright began her career in media relations, working for clients including General Motors and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. She received her BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her MBA in International Luxury Brand Management from ESSEC Business School in Paris.
During the conversation, we heard about Ginny Wright’s career path, her role and impact in the beauty industry, as well as her transition from the beauty industry to the luxury watch industry. We also learned about the impact of digitization in luxury watchmaking, company efforts to cater to Generation’s Y and Z, and Audemars Piguet’s future vision. Ms. Wright shared professional insights and potential opportunities for Georgetown students interested in pursuing a career in the luxury industry.