Avon chief elected to Apple's board of directors

Apple said Monday that Andrea Jung, chairman and chief executive officer of woman's beauty firm Avon Products, has joined the company's board, bringing its total number of directors to eight.

Jung also serves on the board of directors of the General Electric Company and is a member of the New York Presbyterian Hospital board of trustees and the Catalyst board of directors.

"Andrea is a strong CEO and marketer and we look forward to benefiting from her insights and experience as a member of Apple’s board," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "Andrea will be our eighth board member, and I think she will add a new dimension to our already lively board discussions."

At Avon, Jung is responsible for developing and executing all of the company’s long-term growth strategies, launching new brand initiatives, developing earnings opportunities for women worldwide, and defining Avon as the premier direct seller of beauty products.

She was elected president of global marketing in 1996, an executive vice president in 1997, president and a director of the company in 1998, chief operating officer from 1998 to 1999, chief executive officer in 1999 and chairman of the board in 2001. Previously, Jung was executive vice president of Neiman Marcus and a senior vice president for I. Magnin.

"Apple is clearly one of the most innovative companies in the world today," Jung said. "I feel privileged to join this exciting and dynamic team and look forward to working closely with Steve and the board during the next phase of Apple’s growth."

Jung is a magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University, is fluent in Mandarin and was the first woman elected chair of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association in March 2001, a role she held until early 2005.