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Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Beaute has awarded its European media

account, understood to be worth $40m (£28m), to the Media

Planning Group network.

The Gucci-owned brand, which spends £4m a year on advertising in

the UK, pulled its business out of OMD UK earlier this year.

While it has refused to comment on the reasons for dropping OMD UK, the

decision is understood to have been led by top management in the Paris

headquarters, including company president Chantal Roos and marketing

director Laurent Houel, neither of whom would comment on the

appointment.

YSL's top UK marketer, Graeme Bralsford, who joined the company in

April, was also unavailable for comment.

YSL's ads are created by an in-house team led by creative director Tom

Ford. Ford was behind the company's controversial 'Opium' poster and

press campaign, which featured a naked Sophie Dahl.

The Advertising Standards Authority received nearly 1000 complaints

about the ad and ordered YSL to take down the posters.

YSL Beaute, which offers fragrances, make-up and skin care ranges,

includes brands such as Oscar de la Renta and Rive Gauche perfumes, Jazz

aftershave, the YSL make-up range and Roger & Gallet soap.

Gucci, which acquired YSL from Sanofi Beaute in 1999, hopes to challenge

market leader LVMH in the luxury goods arena.