NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF) (Euronext Paris: IFF), a leading innovator of sensory experiences that move the world, has named Francisco Marano and Stephen Nicoll as Master Perfumers. The Company’s designation recognizes perfumers who have demonstrated consistent and outstanding levels of creativity and craftsmanship in the art of perfumery, and exceptional leadership in and measurable impact on the industry. The addition of Messrs. Marano and Nicoll, both of whom work in Consumer Fragrances, bring the total number at this prestigious level at IFF to four, including Carlos Benaim (2013) and Dominique Ropion (2018). The title was established at the Company in 2013.
“The passion to achieve the levels of mastery that Steve and Francisco demonstrate on a daily basis cannot be taught in any school and cannot be demanded by one’s employer. It is entirely innate,” said IFF Chairman & CEO Andreas Fibig. “Our responsibility is to create the environment that lets that passion take root and flourish. I am beyond proud to honor the depth, breadth, and impact of Francisco and Steve’s contributions - ones that bring joy to so many people around the world. We congratulate them on their many achievements and look forward to many more.”
As a teenager interested in chemistry, Mr. Marano began his journey in a flavors lab in Brazil until a job opened in one for fragrances. Fascinated by perfumery, he continued his chemistry studies in high school and worked to develop his unique olfactive skills - the results of which were noticed by his manager and laid the groundwork for his future. When the invitation to train as a perfumer materialized, Mr. Marano realized that his dream was within his grasp and threw himself into learning all he could and started his career in earnest. In 1978, he joined IFF in Brazil. In the years since, his creations have found their way into the olfactive memories of countless people around the world through some of the industry’s most prestigious fine and iconic consumer brands.
“I am so honored to receive the title of Master Perfumer,” Mr. Marano said. “It is the ultimate tribute in a perfumer’s career and a genuine privilege to join my colleagues Carlos, Dominique, and Steve. Perfumery is my passion – to have this recognition for something I love is the greatest reward I could imagine.”
Mr. Nicoll’s career path began, one could say, in his blood. His Parisienne grandmother, a talented cook, taught him to smell every ingredient before adding it to a dish. His father was a perfumer who worked for several fragrance companies in England -- and came home every day smelling of his latest creation. It was while working with his father at Bourjois Chanel in London as a summer job that he first saw how perfumers fit into the intricacies of fragrance and cosmetics manufacture and his curiosity was piqued. His father set up a small lab at home and began his fragrance compounding education in parallel to his schooling. His love of fragrance grew and really took flight when he was apprenticed in Grasse, France and began his formal training. He returned to the UK to complete his training and was accepted in to the British Society of Perfumers. In 1986, he joined Bush Boake Allen (BBA), transitioning to IFF when it acquired BBA in 2000. His career has been shaped by his passion for understanding what’s most important to the consumer experience and his commitment to surpassing their expectations.
Mr. Nicoll said, “Being curious by nature, I was always fascinated by how things smell. I am fortunate to have discovered a career that allows me to continue to be curious every day. In perfumery, we have the ability to touch millions of people’s lives through the fragrances we create -- and make their lives better, happier, and more satisfying. For a perfumer, there is no greater reward.”
Nicolas Mirzayantz, IFF Group President, Fragrances, said, “Over the course of their careers with us, Steve and Francisco have consistently created outstanding fragrances in the Consumer categories. Through their passion for and dedication to their art, they touch the lives of so many and transform the everyday. As perfumers for consumer fragrances, you won’t see Francisco’s or Steve’s name in fragrance blogs or on the bottles containing their creations, but what they make becomes part of your personal olfactive tapestry. The smell of your blanket when you were a child, the aroma of your mother’s hair, or the scent that tells you you’re home – these are the irreplaceable contributions of these incredibly talented men.”
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Meet IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF) (Euronext Paris: IFF) is a leading innovator of sensorial experiences that move the world. At the heart of our company, we are fueled by a sense of discovery, constantly asking “what if?”. That passion for exploration drives us to co-create unique products that consumers taste, smell, or feel in fine fragrances and beauty, detergents and household goods, as well as beloved foods and beverages. Our 7,300 team members globally take advantage of leading consumer insights, research and development, creative expertise, and customer intimacy to develop differentiated offerings for consumer products. Learn more at www.iff.com, Twitter , Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
