The Estée Lauder Companies’ 2012 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Celebrates its 20th Anniversary and the Life and Legacy of Founder Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder by Ringing The Opening BellSM at the NYSE

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 1, 2012– William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL), rang the The Opening BellSM at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) earlier today in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of The Estée Lauder Companies’ (ELC) Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign and in dedication to the life and legacy of BCA Campaign founder and iconic Pink Ribbon co-creator, Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder. To mark this special occasion, several colleagues from the Company who have been personally touched by breast cancer, along with four researchers whose grants are underwritten by ELC through The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®(BCRF), joined Mr. Lauder on the podium.

The 2012 Campaign theme, “Courage. Believe in a world without breast cancer. Know we’re here until its true.” highlights the Company’s 20 year commitment to defeating breast cancer through education and medical research. This milestone year is dedicated to the tremendous courage of Evelyn Lauder and her unwavering commitment to eradicate breast cancer.

In 1992, during a time when breast cancer was rarely openly discussed and research for the disease minimally funded, Evelyn Lauder launched The BCA Campaign to raise awareness and encourage women everywhere to practice breast health. Until her passing in November 2011, she worked tirelessly in her crusade, helped save countless lives and raised millions of dollars to find a cure.

Two decades later, The BCA Campaign is active in more than 70 countries, has raised more than $35 million to fund 140 BCRF grants for medical research, and this year alone supports 12 research grants across the globe.

“This year’s BCA Campaign is dedicated to my mother, Evelyn Lauder, and to those who have shown courage – whether personally facing breast cancer, bravely standing by a loved one afflicted with the disease or fearlessly spreading the word about breast health.” said William Lauder. “We honor my mother’s legacy by uniting at the New York Stock Exchange, throughout New York City and around the world to carry on her commitment to defeating breast cancer through awareness, education and medical research. Together, we are closer than ever to making breast cancer a disease of the past – in fact, we now know that if breast cancer is detected early and localized, 90% survive more than five years.”1

Throughout October, The BCA Campaign will continue to reach countless people worldwide by spreading its lifesaving awareness message globally in the hope of a world in which breast cancer no longer exists.

Photos are available via Associated Press/New York (212.621.1902), Reuters America (646.223.6285), Getty Images (646.613.4141), Bloomberg Photo (212.617.3420) and European Press Agency (917.670.1323).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is devoted to defeating breast cancer through education and medical research.

www.bcacampaign.com

www.facebook.com/bcacampaign

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company’s products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under the following brand names: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M•A•C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, American Beauty, Flirt!, GoodSkin Labs, Grassroots Research Labs, Tom Ford, Coach, Ojon, Smashbox, Ermenegildo Zegna and AERIN Beauty.

1 American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)

Source: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.