Tag: foods

PepsiCo India appoints Saakshi Verma Menon as chief marketing officer for foods

Mumbai: PepsiCo India has named Saakshi Verma Menon as its new chief marketing officer (CMO) for the foods division, as outgoing CMO Anshul Khanna moves into a new role within the company. The announcement comes amid heightened competition and renewed strategic focus on the Indian packaged foods segment.

Menon, a key member of PepsiCo’s India leadership team, will lead the marketing strategy for the company’s foods portfolio, which includes household brands such as Lay’s, Kurkure, Uncle Chipps, Quaker, Cheetos, and Doritos.

“Super pumped to work on some of the most iconic and beloved brands from the house of PepsiCo,” Menon wrote in a LinkedIn post. “These brands have been part of everyday moments for millions, and I’m excited to shape the next chapter of their journey.”

Menon steps into the new role after leading regional brand initiatives for PepsiCo’s AMESA (Africa, Middle East and South Asia) business, where she managed cross-market campaigns for core beverages including Pepsi, 7Up, and Mountain Dew. With over 20 years of marketing experience, she has also held senior roles at Colgate-Palmolive, Uber, and Kimberly-Clark, bringing a blend of global insight and local consumer acumen.

PepsiCo India reported revenues of Rs 8,877 crore and profit after tax of Rs 883.4 crore for the financial year ended 31 December 2024. The company’s snacks segment contributed over Rs 6,800 crore, underscoring the strength of its packaged foods portfolio.

India’s packaged foods market is currently valued at Rs 3.6 trillion, while the carbonated beverages segment stood at $18.25 billion in 2022, according to ICRIER. PepsiCo faces strong competition from both multinational and domestic players, including Coca-Cola, ITC, Bikaji, and Haldiram’s, with bottling operations managed by its partner, Varun Beverages.

To bolster local manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, PepsiCo India last year announced a Rs 1,266 crore investment to set up a flavour manufacturing facility in Ujjain, MadhyaPradesh, expected to be operational in Q1 2026. A second facility is also being developed in Tamil Nadu, reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian market.

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July 2, 2025
Ajay Gupte’s Wavemaker reappointed as Tata Consumer media agency

MUMBAI: There’s a tsunami of brands in the Rs 15,000 crore-plus turnover Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) portfolio, right from Tata Tea and variants, Tata Salt and premium salts, Tata Sampann, Tata Coffee Grand, Tetley Green Tea, Tata Soulfull, Himalayan water, Tata Gluco, and what have you. All of them have landed on media agency Wavemaker’s shores.

The consumer retail giant has handed over the mandate of managing the ompany’s media spends effectively to the Ajay Gupte-headed media behemoth. Wavemaker won the account after a multi-agency pitch and will be TCPL’s media partner come FY 2025.

This strategic partnership reflects the company’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, enhancing consumer connections, and delivering impactful, innovative, purpose-driven communication that resonates with modern audiences.

Wavemaker is the incumbent media agency for TCPL and will continue to spearhead dynamic media planning and execution across TV, print, radio and digital channels for brands across businesses in India like packaged beverages, foods, ready to drink, Tata Soulfull and Organic India, spread across Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi.

Said TCPL president- packaged beverages, India & south Asia Puneet Das: “TCPL has been at the forefront of delivering hyperlocal, hyper-personalized and technology-driven marketing initiatives, achieving exceptional impact across diverse markets. We are excited to continue on this journey and our partnership with Wavemaker as our media partner.”

The media mandate includes end-to-end management of traditional and digital media planning and buying, aimed at driving greater synergies across Tata Consumer Products’ diverse brands.

Added Wavemaker CEO-south Asia Ajay Gupte: “We are honoured to be re-appointed as the media partner for TCPL. Collaborating with such a respected brand presents a significant responsibility. TCPL’s strong emotional connections with its audience inspire us to leverage our expertise in media and consumer engagement.

Continuing on our long standing partnership, we are dedicated to crafting innovative campaigns that align with their brand mission, sparking meaningful conversations and excitement. Together, we aim to enhance TCPL’s legacy as an industry leader and create impactful experiences that resonate with consumers.”

December 2, 2024
Greenways Foods & Beverages signs Raveena Tandon for Notty

MUMBAI: Greenways Foods & Beverages (D) has announced its association with Raveena Tandon as the brand ambassador for Notty.

Raveena Tandon will partner Chhota Bheem and Big J on all Notty related product and brand communication. “Raveena’s popularity and stardom is unparalleled. We are sure her personality and life which is the right balance of professional and personal success, style, substance and family orientation will take our brand to greater heights”, said Greenways Foods & Beverages MD Dr. Sachin Chopda.

He added, “We are happy to sign Raveena as brand ambassador and feel that she is the perfect choice for Notty as she herself being a mother will better understand the needs and expectations of kids & their parents. We are sure our target audience will be able to connect with her and Notty.”

Speaking on the occasion Raveena Tandon said, “With the fast paced lives we live today, it is very important to give the right nutrition to children and hence when I learnt about the ingredients it contains, like vegetarian DHA, Vitamin A, C, E, and the fact that no synthetic ingredients or stimulants are used in its formulation, I thought why not associate with a brand that I would be more than happy to give to my kids.”

On the product, Greenways Foods & Beverages (D) general manager sales and marketing Vinod Gaikwad said, “Today’s mother is a smart mother. She is independent, educated, aware, computer savvy female who wants to give best to her children. She is concerned about the health needs of her children and acts like a gatekeeper for them. To address her concerns and to meet the taste needs of children we have launched Notty, fruit drink fortified with Vegetarian DHA which helps in brain development & Vitamins A, C & E which helps to increase the immunity of children and keep infections at bay.”

The creative & advertising agency of Greenways Foods & Beverages (D), Versus Brand Solutions, a Ment Element Group Company, business head Errol Marquis said, “Today’s mothers are finding the perfect balance between being authoritative moms and playful friends. Raveena Tandon has found that balance. Like all mothers, she’s concerned about her children’s health but also enjoys being a child with them. Just like our brand NOTTY, a multi-fruit power drink that combines fun-loving delicious taste with vitamins and health benefits. Raveena’s children aged 6 & 8 are in fact the ideal age profile for the brand which is why she is the ideal representation of today’s mother and will be the voice of this modern mom in all our communication.”

December 2, 2013