L'Oreal, the French beauty products giant, has appointed Eric Delamare as managing director of its Indian operations, L'Oreal-Indelor India. Delamare has taken over from Geoff Skingsley from July 15, 1999.

Skingley, who was with L'Oreal India for a period of five years, will now be heading the Group's operations in Great Britain. Says Skingsley: ``Working in India has been a tremendously enriching experience. From a professional point of view, to be able to merge the values of the L'Oreal culture with a fledgling Indian operation and build a viable business has been very rewarding. L'Oreal and its sister signatures Garnier and Maybelline now have a firm foothold in India, and our Professional Division is providing new possibilities for beauty parlours.'' Delamare has been with L'Oreal for the past sixteen years, having started with the marketing department in South Africa, in 1983.

L'Oreal is the world-wide leader in cosmetics with annual sales of Euro 11billion.

Elle 18 launches talcum powder

Lakme Lever Limited has extended its Elle 18 brand to include talcum powder under the `Wild' and `Cool' names. Priced at Rs 21 for a 100 gm pack and Rs 51 for a 300 gm pack, the products are available at leading cosmetic counters across the country.

Launched in 1996, Elle 18 offers a range of cosmetics and fragrances targeted at the youth.

McDonald's Value meals offer

Fast food chain McDonald's India Limited has introduced a new set of meal combinations in the Indian market. The offer includes value meal offers priced at Rs 7 to Rs 13 less than similar a la carte options. For example, a Salad Sandwich Value meal is now available for Rs 39 as against the a la carte price of Rs 52.

For children the chain has on offer a new set of collectible toys, the `Dino mom's' priced at Rs 85 each, free with every Happy Meal costing Rs 45 to Rs 55.

Whisper Wings extra long from P&G

Procter & Gamble India Limited has launched `Whisper Wings ExtraLong', the latest from its Whisper range for the Indian market.

Priced at Rs 80 for a pack of 10 sanitary napkins, this new introduction is in addition to the earlier Whisper Maxi with Wings product already in the market.