IFF creates new role to head up fragrance innovation

Judith Gross will become global director for fragrance innovation at the New York-based company, an appointment that reflects the growing importance of increasingly sophisticated technologies in this ever-changing category. Gross has 15 years experience working for IFF and most recently headed up the global marketing for fine fragrance and beauty care. "Adding this new position - global director, fragrance innovation - reinforces our commitment to identify new opportunities for our customers to leverage fragrance,"​ said Nicolas Mirzayantz, president of fragrances. Fragrance development comes to the fore ​ The fact that the new role has been created reflects how fragrance innovation has become an integral part of beauty and fragrance products. Evidently consumers are so concerned about how their favorite beauty care products smell that a subtle difference can make or break a new product launch. But likewise, consumers are looking for functionality in fragrance, with longer-lasting or slow release formulations becoming increasingly sought after. New business and growth revenues ​ In the new role Gross will be responsible for an innovation team that will be focused on new alliances and partnerships, as well as generating new business opportunities and growth revenues. IFF also announced that Matt Frost will take on Gross's former position as head of global marketing for the fragrance and beauty care division. At the end of January the company announced that full year 2007 results for its fragrance division rose 5.9 percent to $1.27bn while the group's sales rose 9 percent to $2.76bn. Meanwhile, IFF's net income increased by $247m - up 9 percent compared to 2006.