Our story
Brandstand Communications offers best-in-class counsel and services to fledgling and established beauty and wellbeing brands. With our understanding and experience across strategy, sales, storytelling and community creation we deliver significant results with a positive commercial impact.
“Millie and Anna-Marie are industry legends who have a sixth sense about beauty brands – which ones to pick, how to breathe life into them and how to illuminate them. Add to this their ability to read the beauty zeitgeist, divine customer sentiment and determine where the market is going before anyone else, and it’s no wonder we all beat a path to their door to talk all things beauty and retail. The fact they also make it fun is an added bonus.”
The agency is spearheaded by Millie Kendall OBE, who has over 30 years’ experience launching and building luxury and high street beauty brands. Millie is the current CEO of the British Beauty Council, which works tirelessly with the UK government and business leaders to ensure the beauty industry’s contribution to the UK economy is recognised.
“I’ve known Millie and Anna-Marie for decades – Millie even used to do my PR. They’re my trusted, go-to beauty brains whenever I want some industry insight or honest advice. They know everyone, have done everything and are still at the top of their game, so they must be doing something right!”
The agency’s storyteller, Anna-Marie Solowij, is a leading beauty journalist, brand advisor and trend analyst. The former British Vogue beauty director tells inspiring and incisive stories, exploring ideas that lead to tailored conversations for the brands with which we collaborate.
“The unique thing about Anna-Marie is her multi-disciplinary lens and approach. She is a seasoned veteran journalist, with decades of experience crafting compelling stories and spotting newsworthy trends. But she also understands the brand and business world – from consumer insight, to positioning, to trend analysis. It’s a rare and powerful combo and so relevant to today’s brand needs.”
Andrew Perera joined the Brandstand family in 2019 after building his reputation as one of the most respected brand communications professionals in the industry. Andrew handled Global Communications for PZ Cussons Beauty, spearheading their brands. Prior to that, he was VP of Global Communications for M.A.C. Cosmetics where he was instrumental in developing a communications strategy that was key to the brand’s exponential growth in Europe and Asia.
“Andrew has steered some of our industry’s most colourful beauty brands into new territories and articulated a powerful campaign message, even when challenging. Most significant for me was his work around the Kate Moss and St Tropez campaign as it gave a high fashion edge to a mainstream tanning brand.”
Brandstand partners with digital specialists The Good Influence to combine a 360° approach to communications, delivering content that helps frame brand narratives to a targeted audience, that builds awareness an ultimately drives sales and brand loyalty. Brandstand’s expert and connected team is continually developing to accommodate evolving changes in the beauty and retail landscape, offering brands strategic and creative approaches to driving positive results.
“The team at BRANDstand is extremely discerning about the brands they take on. They are always the first to spot a new trend, so it’s a good place to start for a beauty editor. On top of that, the team is always enthusiastic and easy to work with, which is a dream for a journalist.”