The cosmetic industry needs journalists to "market" its product to the public at large. Journalists need the contacts they have with the players of the cosmetic world to write their papers for this same audience. A duo that cannot be put apart, each of the members knowing it is impossible to work without the corresponding member … though they do not always like each other. Among a complete mistrust and mutual criticisms, pieces of information have some trouble to make their way, while, due to this difficult relationship, at the end, the main loser … is the public at large. This was the topic of the 17th Breakfast Meeting - cosmetics (Matinales de la Cosmétique), put in place by Sylvain-Romain Cotte, on May 12. This is a report.
May 16, 2001
"Cosmetics and Beauty: Journalism in G minor?": such was the title of this 17th Breakfast Meeting - Cosmetics (the Matinales de la Cosmétique), organised on a regular basis by Sylvain-Romain Cotte for the professionals of this industry.
From the very beginning, clearly this "G minor" attached to the journalist profession is far from a highly laudatory statement … Nevertheless, the only journalist then in the room (and who happens to make this report) thanks for the question mark, which suggests an open discussion is possible …
A toxicologist by training, a University teacher for many years, an expert for the European Union for 15 years, a member of the Brussels Scientific Committee for six years, an expert in the French Afssaps , the founding chairman of Evic France (a research laboratory specialized in testing substances and finished products designed by the chemical, pharmaceutics, cosmetic and agribusiness industries, evaluating their safety and efficiency)… Philippe Masson’s résumé is as long as the INCI list of a top-of-line anti-wrinkles cream. He is in command of this topic of the relationship between journalists and the cosmetic industry this 12 May morning. A brilliant speaker, he is renowned in this world for …
