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Tag: PepsiCo

  • PepsiCo India appoints Saakshi Verma Menon as chief marketing officer for 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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  • 7UP pops with a fizzy new MOGO to refresh your ears

    7UP pops with a fizzy new MOGO to refresh your ears

    MUMBAI: 7UP is turning up the volume – literally. The fizzy favourite from PepsiCo has launched its first-ever sonic identity in India, giving its signature refreshment a catchy new sound. This “MOGO” (musical logo), created in partnership with sonic branding agency BrandMusiq, is more than just a jingle — it’s a crisp, 7-note sonic signature designed to tickle your ears and tap into your emotions.

    India leads the global rollout, with the sound debuting at retail touchpoints in Bengaluru. Coolers in stores will now play this audio cue, making the “sound of refreshment” unmistakably 7UP right at the point of thirst.

    Commenting on the launch, PepsiCo India category lead, Cola and Flavours, Shailja Joshi said, “In today’s dynamic consumer landscape, building a brand goes far beyond the imagery to creating experiences that are instantly felt and remembered. With our new sonic identity, we bring to life the essence of 7UP, refreshing, vibrant, and full of character, in a way that resonates across platforms and cultures. This sonic identity is not just an audio asset, It’s an innovative leap into sensory branding. It will serve as a consistent, emotionally engaging cue that will amplify 7UP’s refreshing spirit wherever our consumers engage with us.”

    Built using AI-powered emotion mapping, the sound blends the crack of a can, a splash of fizz, and a bubbly melody that’s meant to feel like sunshine in a bottle. It’s refreshment you can hear — designed to trigger joy, build memory, and elevate brand recall in today’s scroll-and-swipe culture.

    Talking about the collaboration, BrandMusiq founder & soundsmith, Rajeev Raja said,“For the 7UP global sonic identity, we weren’t just creating a sound, we were bottling a feeling. The rush of freshness, the playful splash, the upliftment you get when you take a sip. The swiftly ascending 7-note MOGO®️ captures all of that in a way that’s light, cool, and instantly recognizable. The MOGOSCAPE (sonic brandprint) was crafted to bring the totality of the brand experience across every ‘Earpoint’. It all comes together to create a consistent and emotionally engaging sonic world for the brand.”

    The sonic ID is set to echo across digital, retail, and experiential spaces — making 7UP not just a drink, but a multisensory experience. And in a noisy world, that’s music to any brand’s ears.

  • Green carpet call as BT spotlights India’s most sustainable companies

    Green carpet call as BT spotlights India’s most sustainable companies

    MUMBAI: India Inc’s ESG stars are set to walk the green carpet. Business Today Multiverse is rolling out a new kind of red carpet green, actually as it launches the inaugural edition of BT India’s Most Sustainable Companies – Summit & Awards 2025. Slated for 6 June in New Delhi, the event puts the spotlight on the companies walking the talk on ESG, sustainability and responsible business.

    With the theme ‘Charting India Inc’s Sustainable Future’, the event promises not just trophies, but timely conversations and action plans. Union minister Bhupender Yadav will headline the summit with a special keynote on India’s environmental strategy, setting the tone for a day packed with powerful dialogue.

    The awards are backed by a rigorous methodology, led by Careedge ESG Ratings, which evaluated 1,000 listed companies across 11 impact-heavy sectors using publicly available data. The final winners were selected by an expert jury chaired by former SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar.

    The speaker list reads like a who’s who of India’s sustainability and policy ecosystem. From Pepsico’s Yashika Singh and Zomato’s Anjalli Kumar to JSW’s Prabodha Acharya, Mahindra’s Abanti Sankaranarayanan, and SEBI’s Pramod Rao, leaders from corporates, think tanks, and regulatory bodies will tackle how sustainability can shift from boardroom buzzword to operational backbone.

    Panel discussions will feature experts like ORF’s Nilanjan Ghosh, CEEW’s Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Avaana’s Anjali Bansal and Swapna Gupta, ISA’s Joshua Wycliffe, Diageo’s Ashish Parikh, and legal minds like Meyyappan Nagappan (Trilegal) and Amit Kapur (JSA), offering multidisciplinary takes on climate strategy, regulation, investment, and innovation.

    Supporting the summit are sustainability stalwarts: L&T (Green Partner), Pepsico (Sustainable Progress Partner), Diageo (CPG Sustainability Partner), along with KREDL and RVNL as associate partners.

    The evening will culminate in the BT India’s Most Sustainable Companies Awards and the unveiling of a special Business Today edition centred on the campaign: ‘Sustainability is no longer an option, it is the only way forward.’

    For India Inc, the message is clear going green isn’t just good optics. It’s the only playbook that matters now.

  • BrandStorytelling and Mipcom Cannes ink deal to deep dive into branded content

    BrandStorytelling and Mipcom Cannes ink deal to deep dive into branded content

    MUMBAI:  Hold onto your monocles, folks, because a rather smashing partnership has just been announced that’s set to shake up the world of television and streaming content. BrandStorytelling, the doyen of brand-funded programming, is  teaming up with the illustrious Mipcom Cannes 2025 for a first-of-its-kind summit on the French Riviera this October.

    For a decade, BrandStorytelling, under the astute direction of producer, publisher, and media entrepreneur Rick Parkhill, has been charming the Sundance Film Festival with its ground breaking summits, nurturing the art of brand-funded narratives. Its  latest January shindig in Park City, Utah, saw a grand gathering of over 450 industry glitterati, including global brands like Ancestry, L’Oréal Paris, and PepsiCo, alongside platform giants such as WBD, Meta, and YouTube, and even content creators like Sean Evans and the dynamic duo Rhett & Link. They all converged to showcase the finest case studies and strategies for crafting stories that truly boost brand affinity and growth.

    Now, the show is coming to Cannes! A jointly programmed, two-day summit will unfold at the Palais des Festivals across Monday, 13 October, and Tuesday, 14 October. This will be a veritable melting pot for brands, content creators, and television creatives, all with the noble aim of conceiving, producing, and financing fresh, brand-led stories. Expect a whirlwind of showcases, networking opportunities, and, crucially, deal-making – because in this business, it’s all about the quid pro quo. Further tantalising details are set to be unveiled in the coming weeks and months.

    Mipcom Cannes & Mip Junior director Lucy Smith waxed lyrical about the new venture: “Brands are sashaying beyond traditional advertising, stepping up as bona fide storytellers, both churning out and commissioning their very own series across every genre imaginable.” She added, with a flourish, “This partnership immediately delivers a one-stop-shop for brands, brand studios, and agencies to rub shoulders with over 10,000 entertainment executives from over 100 countries. In turn, it conjures up fresh opportunities for new funding, co-production, and distribution deals for producers and platforms. As the world’s largest content and co-production market, the time is right to create a home for brands at Mipcom Cannes.”

    Rick Parkhill, never one to be outdone, chimed in, “Brands are increasingly pulling the strings behind some of the biggest stories gracing our screens internationally. Mipcom Cannes  is the unmissable global television market, which makes it the ideal partner and business platform for brands to further integrate into the global content ecosystem, alongside the biggest studios and television companies from around the world. This two-day international summit will explore novel ways to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the ever-evolving landscape of brand-funded content.”

    And for those who can’t get enough of this brand-fuelled bonanza, BrandStorytelling also stages ‘Elevate’ at Sundance Mountain Resort. This annual summer retreat, strictly limited to a mere 125 participants, returns from 14-17 July, 2025, promising three days of workshops, screenings, keynote presentations, and an abundance of networking, collaboration, and deal-making opportunities.

    Mipcom Cannes, for its part, continues to reign as the world’s biggest and most impactful television and streaming content market, having drawn over 10,500 delegates from more than 100 countries last year. Its week-long programme is nothing short of a defining moment for the TV industry each year.

  • TCM Sports hits a six with Nobel Dhingra as new chief operating officer

    TCM Sports hits a six with Nobel Dhingra as new chief operating officer

    MUMBAI: It’s not just athletes making headlines this time, it’s the boardroom getting the spotlight. TCM Sports, one of India’s most seasoned sports marketing companies, has roped in Nobel Dhingra as its new chief operating officer, signalling a bold step toward global expansion and digital reinvention.

    With over 20 years of experience in steering powerhouse brands like Dabur Red, Pepsico’s 7Up and Quaker Oats, Nestlé, and Makemytrip, Nobel now brings his marketing mojo to the high-energy world of sports. A graduate of FMS Delhi and a former youth cricketer from Chandigarh, he’s no stranger to competition or teamwork qualities that TCM is banking on as it eyes a broader international playbook.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Nobel Dhingra to theTCM family,”said TCM Sports managing director Lokesh Sharma. “His proven track record at marketing iconic brands, scaling digital businesses, and entrepreneurial acumen will be instrumental as we chart our next phase of growth and expand TCM’s global footprint. His values and passion for sports mirror the very ethos of TCM.”

    From the pitch to the corporate suite, Nobel’s journey has blended strategy and sport. Most recently, he co-founded Vansaar, a fast-growing health and personal care startup, where he helped build the brand from scratch. Prior to that, his transition from traditional brand marketing to driving digital strategy at Makemytrip marked a shift in approach one that TCM now hopes to leverage as the company deepens its presence in the Indian subcontinent, Middle East, and international sports circuits.

    With three decades of legacy and a renewed leadership bench, TCM Sports is gearing up for its next innings and with Dhingra at the helm, it looks like they’re aiming for a global sixer.

  • PepsiCo pops $1.95bn for trendy gut-friendly fizz

    PepsiCo pops $1.95bn for trendy gut-friendly fizz

    MUMBAI: PepsiCo has opened its corporate wallet to quench its thirst for growth in the better-for-you drinks market. The American beverages giant announced it will acquire poppi, the prebiotic soda upstart that has captivated wellness-minded millennials, for a fizzy $1.95 billion—though tax benefits will reduce the actual outlay to $1.65 billion.

    The acquisition marks another strategic pivot for the soft drinks titan as it attempts to wean itself off sugary legacy brands and catch the health-conscious wave sweeping through beverage aisles. Poppi, with its apple cider vinegar formulation and Instagram-friendly packaging, has become something of a darling among the kombucha crowd.
     

    Ramon Ramesh

    “We’ve been evolving our food and beverage portfolio over many years, including by innovating with our brands in new spaces and through disciplined, strategic acquisitions that enable us to offer more positive choices to our consumers,” said said PepsiCo chairman & chief executive  Ramon Laguarta. “More than ever, consumers are looking for convenient and great-tasting options that fit their lifestyles and respond to their growing interest in health and wellness. poppi is a great complement to our portfolio transformation efforts to meet these needs.”

    The acquisition represents a fairytale ending for poppi’s founders, Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, who brewed their first batches in their Texas kitchen before landing an investment on American television programme “Shark Tank” from guest judge Rohan Oza and his Cavu Consumer Partners from its initial seed round to today.

    “As we look to reorient our portfolio offerings to address white space consumer needs, the poppi brand’s unique intersection with wellness and culture is a perfect addition to our portfolio,” said PepsiCo Beverages US CEO  Ram Krishnan. “Allison and the poppi team have built a magnetic brand that’s ahead of the trends, with a loyal consumer base and a demonstrated capacity for growth. We are big fans of the poppi brand movement and believe this incredible brand paired with our commercial capabilities will drive continued growth and innovation for years to come.” 

    Poppi team

    “When I created poppi in our kitchen, it was fueled by a desire to create a better-for-you soda,” said poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth. “We never imagined how many people we could reach through hard work, determination and a clear mission to create a functional soda that stands the test of time. We believe poppi is the soda that will be embraced for generations to come, and we’re beyond grateful to the amazing poppi team, our partners who believed in us from the very beginning and most importantly our incredible community. We can’t wait to begin this next chapter with PepsiCo to bring our soda to more people – and I know they will honour what makes poppi so special while supporting our next phase of growth and innovation. I hope our story inspires others to explore their passions, take the risk, and believe that anything is possible.”

    “poppi is a true testament to the American Dream! From the kitchen to Shark Tank to becoming an iconic brand, this couldn’t have been done without the amazing founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, the incredible team in place led by CEO Chris Hall, the unmatched support of Cavu’s uncommon team led by Stevie Clements, and the extraordinary poppi community,” said  Cavu Consumer Partners co-Founder Rohan Oza and guest shark on ABC’s Shark Tank. “We’re beyond thrilled to be partnering with PepsiCo so that even more consumers across America, and the world, can enjoy poppi – a truly modern soda for the next generation.”

    With no more than five grams of sugar per serving and what the company calls “cultural cache”, poppi has captured a loyal following among consumers who find traditional sodas too sweet but still crave the satisfaction of carbonation. Its range includes reimagined classics like cola and root beer alongside trendier flavours such as raspberry rose.

    The transaction, which includes potential additional earnout payments tied to performance targets, is still subject to regulatory approval.

    For PepsiCo, which generated nearly $92 billion in revenue last year, the acquisition represents more than just another brand in its portfolio. It signals the company’s recognition that yesterday’s fizzy drinks might not satisfy tomorrow’s consumers—particularly those who expect their beverages to do more than merely refresh.
    Whether the company can maintain poppi’s cool factor while scaling it through its industrial distribution machine remains to be seen. Previous attempts by beverage giants to nurture acquired brands have sometimes gone flat.

  • Publicis steals Coca-Cola’s $800 North American media crown from WPP

    Publicis steals Coca-Cola’s $800 North American media crown from WPP

    MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe has pinched Coca-Cola’s lucrative North American media account from WPP following a hush-hush competitive review, industry sources confirmed yesterday.

    The French advertising giant will now handle Coca-Cola’s media planning and buying across the United States and Canada, with the business estimated to be worth a fizzy  $800 million  in annual billings.

    The soft drinks behemoth conducted the review under tight wraps, with only WPP and Publicis invited to participate in what insiders describe as a “closed door beauty contest” between the two holding companies.

    For Publicis, the win represents sweet revenge after finishing as runner-up in 2021 when WPP scooped Coca-Cola’s global integrated business. Now, just three and a half years later, the tables have turned in North America.

    CocaCola

    The account covers media planning and buying for Coca-Cola’s extensive portfolio of over 200 brands, including its flagship cola, Sprite, Fanta, and various sports drinks, juices, and plant-based beverages.
    Despite the sting of losing North America, WPP will continue to serve as Coca-Cola’s primary global partner, handling media duties across the rest of the world and maintaining responsibility for creative work globally through its bespoke Open X agency setup.

    Coca-Cola spent an estimated $1.8 billion on US advertising in 2023, according to Ad Age Datacenter, with $621 million specifically on measured media. Globally, the beverage giant splashed out $5.15 billion on advertising in 2024, up from  $5 billion the previous year.

    In a statement crafted to soothe WPP’s bruised ego, Coca-Cola emphasised that “WPP is the only global marketing partner of The Coca-Cola Co,” describing Publicis merely as a “complementary partner for its US and Canada media business.”

    “The Coca-Cola Co is committed to the ongoing transformation of its marketing model to ensure the company is best positioned to connect with the evolving consumer marketplace around the world,” the statement continued, adding that “no other changes are expected, and Coca-Cola is in an advanced stage in the process of renewing its global partnership with WPP.”

     Coca-Cola globall chief market ing officer  Manolo Arroyoa,praised WPP’s contribution, highlighting achievements including “Coke being named Creative Brand of the Year at the Cannes Lions in 2024.”

    The Coca-Cola win continues Publicis’ remarkable run of form in the media pitch circuit, coming hot on the heels of major account victories with Pfizer and Hershey’s. This stellar performance prompted the holding company to upgrade its earnings guidance twice during 2024.

    Last year, Publicis overtook WPP as the world’s largest agency group by revenue, marking a dramatic shift in the industry’s power balance. The addition of Coca-Cola’s North American media business will only cement that position.

    The handover is expected to take place in the coming months.

  • Viraj Chouhan hops onto RP-Sanjiv Goenka group in corporate affairs role

    Viraj Chouhan hops onto RP-Sanjiv Goenka group in corporate affairs role

    MUMBAI: In a splashy move that coincides with the festival of colours, corporate affairs  veteran Viraj Chouhan has jumped ship from PepsiCo to join the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group as its group corporate affairs officer. The announcement, dripping with Holi metaphors, marks the end of Chouhan’s nearly six-year innings with the fizzy drinks giant.

    “Just as Holi symbolises renewal, this opportunity marks a vibrant new chapter,” gushed Chouhan in a LinkedIn post.

    The alumnus of Nagpur University brings hefty credentials to the table, having previously served as vice president corporate affairs for PepsiCo’s APAC region. His CV reads like a who’s who of corporate India, with stints as chief communications officer at Ola and executive director of corporate communications at MTS India.
    Chouhan cut his corporate affairs and communications teeth during a five-year spell at Coca-Cola before switching allegiance to arch-rival PepsiCo. 

    The RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which Chouhan now represents, boasts an asset base of US $7 billion (approximately Rs 58,000 crore) and revenue of US $4 billion (Rs 33,000 crore). The conglomerate has its fingers in numerous pies, from power and FMCG to retail and IT.

    Sports enthusiasts might recognise RPSG as the owner of IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and football club Mohun Bagan—giving Chouhan plenty of metaphorical playing fields for his corporate messaging.

  • Pepsico’s Mirinda adds colour with Holi TVC

    Pepsico’s Mirinda adds colour with Holi TVC

    MUMBAI: The tantalising tangerine-tinted Mirinda, PepsiCo India’s zesty citrus sensation, is splashing onto screens with a captivating campaign that promises to make this year’s Holi celebrations even more vivacious and vibrant.

    The scintillating spot showcases how the effervescent elixir transforms mundane moments into dazzling displays of delight, much like the kaleidoscopic festival itself. In the fizzy footage, a seemingly serious mother-son conversation bubbles over into brilliant banter after a single sip of the sunset-hued refreshment.

    Grusha Kapoor MirndaThe carnival of colour that is Holi evokes nostalgic notions of carefree celebrations, where rainbow-hued powders paint participants in prismatic patterns amid peals of laughter. Mirinda’s message mirrors this merry mayhem, reminding revellers that both the beverage and the beloved festival share the sparkling spirit of spontaneous joy.

    “Holi is a festival that celebrates togetherness, joy, and fun—values that have always been at the heart of Mirinda,” mused PepsiCo India category lead for cola and flavours Shailja Joshi. “This campaign brings that essence to life, showing how Mirinda adds a splash of colour and playfulness to everyday moments. Whether it’s nostalgia for past celebrations or excitement for new ones, Mirinda is the perfect companion to make Holi even more playful, refreshing, and unforgettable.”

    The tangy tipple, with its sunburst shade and zippy zest, doesn’t just accompany the celebrations—it amplifies the already abundant atmosphere of unrestrained revelry.
     

    Mirinda drinkingDaftar Creative Room founder Sidhant Mago couldn’t contain his enthusiasm: “Who wouldn’t want to work on the Mirinda Holi brief? We brought out our rangeen zubaans the moment we heard it from the Mirinda marketing team. The most colourful brand and the most vibrant festival—this is easily the best collaboration of the year.”

    The pulsating production received star treatment from Shakun Batra, the celebrated celluloid craftsman, who expressed unbridled excitement about his first foray into Mirinda’s effervescent universe. 
     
    “Working with Mirinda for the first time has been an absolute blast! The brand’s vibrant energy and playful spirit made this Holi campaign an incredible experience, “ Batra bubbled. ”With Sidhant Mago at the helm as the creative director and writer, we knew we were creating something truly special. The marketing team and Mago’s vision brought out the unfiltered madness and joy that define both Holi and Mirinda. Seeing it all come to life- the colours, the fun, the unstoppable laughter—has been nothing short of amazing. This is a celebration like no other, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of it.”

    The vibrant visual feast will fizz across digital and social media platforms nationwide, encouraging consumers to embrace Holi’s iridescent intensity with an extra splash of Mirinda’s signature spirited spontaneity.

    The gleaming golden-orange beverage is available in various volumes at retailers and quick-commerce platforms throughout the country, ready to add its radiant refreshment to India’s most chromatically charged celebration.

  • PepsiCo’s India ambitions: fizzing with growth potential

    PepsiCo’s India ambitions: fizzing with growth potential

    MUMBAI: In the sweltering heat of India’s bustling metropolises, where street vendors hawk their wares amid a cacophony of honking horns and animated chatter, PepsiCo has spotted an oasis of opportunity. The beverage and snack behemoth aims to double its revenue in this vibrant South Asian nation over the next five years, viewing India as a critical “key anchor market” where it’s pouring investments like a perfectly fizzy drink into a chilled glass.

    PepsiCo India & South Asia CEO Jagrut Kotecha,  with eyes sparkling like carbonated bubbles rising to the surface, revealed that India will serve as the “engine of growth” for PepsiCo’s global revenue ambitions. Standing tall among the company’s top three markets globally, India’s performance has been anything but flat, serving up double-digit growth that’s as refreshing as a cold sip on a blistering summer day.

    Lays“We believe India will be the engine of growth for PepsiCo to drive the top line,” Kotecha explained, gesturing expressively during an exclusive interview with PTI. “Our per capita consumption in India is still very low, not only for beverages and food, but we would expect one of PepsiCo’s fastest-growing economies to change that,” he added, his optimism as effervescent as a freshly opened bottle of cola.

    The company hasn’t been crisping about when it comes to investments. PepsiCo has already established greenfield plants in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where golden wheat fields stretch to the horizon, and is preparing to pop open a new facility in Assam, nestled among lush tea plantations in India’s verdant northeast, by year’s end.

    “We are not going to be investment shy,” Kotecha declared, with the confidence of someone holding the winning hand in a high-stakes game. “We’re going to be investing forward to drive that growth because it’s there for us to capture.”
     

    Pepsi Beverages

    The numbers tell a tasty tale: PepsiCo has poured close to Rs 3,500-4,000 crore into the Indian market over the past three years—an investment as substantial as a fully loaded potato crisp.

    The American giant has crafted a strategy as carefully layered as a perfectly constructed sandwich. It has divided the kaleidoscopic Indian market into nine distinct clusters based on taste preferences, demonstrating an understanding that India’s palate is as diverse as its colourful festivals and traditions.

    PepsiCo operates through instantly recognisable brands that have become as familiar to Indians as the sight of cricket matches in neighbourhood parks—Kurkure with its distinctive crunch, Lay’s with its perfect crisp, thoughtful Quaker, and zesty Doritos dominate its food segment, which contributed a hearty 80 per cent to PepsiCo India’s revenue in 2023.

    The remaining 20 per cent bubbled up from beverages, a segment handled by bottling partner Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL), which operates a network of 41 plants scattered across the country like stars in the night sky. VBL isn’t sipping slowly either—they’ve increased capacity by a quarter this year alone.

    Kurkure

    Its beverages brand include carbonated fare such as  Mountain Dew, 7up, Pepsi, and energy drink Sting and sports beverages Gatorade, while in juices it has Tropicana and Slice brands .PepsiCo operates with Kurkure, Lays, Quaker and Doritos in the snacks category. 

    When questioned about new competitor Reliance’s Campa Cola, which has been creating ripples in the market with aggressive pricing and distributor margins, Kotecha maintained the composed demeanour of a drink that hasn’t lost its fizz.

    “It’s always good to have competition. Competition only helps to grow the category,” he remarked with the wisdom of a seasoned market player. “Even before Pepsi and Coke were there, there were a lot of local, regional players. Now Campa has also come with a lot of flair and expense. So our belief is the category will then grow and consumption will grow.”

    This optimistic outlook comes even as India’s per capita consumption remains “far less” than neighbouring Pakistan—a fact that doesn’t seem to dilute Kotecha’s enthusiasm.

    The vision for PepsiCo India is as clear as a glass of Mountain Dew: to achieve $2 billion (around Rs 17,000 crore) in revenue in the coming years. Having reported over Rs 5,950 crore in 2023 (for nine months due to a change in fiscal year), and maintaining double-digit growth since then, PepsiCo appears to be on a trajectory as steady as a perfectly balanced can of soda.

    As the sun sets over the vast Indian landscape, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, PepsiCo continues to bet big on a country where every street corner could potentially house a new consumer ready to reach for a cold drink or a packet of crisps. In this land of a billion dreams, PepsiCo is hoping its growth story will be nothing short of effervescent.