MUMBAI: The kettle’s whistling at Tata Consumer Products and this time, it’s not just the tea. The company has announced a leadership shake-up, with veteran marketer Sharat Verma set to take over as president of packaged beverages ford India & South Asia (including Organic India) from 1 December 2025.
Verma, who moves from Procter & Gamble, brings over two decades of brand-building prowess, having helmed iconic names like Ariel, Tide, Gillette, Oral-B, and Olay across India, ASEAN, China, and the Middle East. At P&G, he led the 0.5 billion dollars Fabric Care business, clocking a 15 per cent CAGR in one of the most competitive categories. His “Share The Load” campaign remains a landmark in cause-driven brand storytelling, marrying social commentary with sales success.
The appointment follows the resignation of Puneet Das, who exits after eight years at Tata Consumer to pursue new opportunities. Das, who played a pivotal role in the packaged beverages portfolio, leaves behind a strong growth legacy. His departure is effective 3 November 2025.
Another notable exit is Soulfull business president Prashant Parameswaran who steps down on 15 December 2025 for personal reasons. Parameswaran, the driving force behind the Tata Soulfull brand, is credited with positioning the homegrown breakfast brand as a challenger in India’s healthy foods segment.
With Verma’s appointment, Tata Consumer is signalling a renewed focus on consumer-led innovation and storytelling that resonates across Bharat and beyond. The move also reflects a broader trend of FMCG majors courting talent with both local insight and global polish.
In a statement, Tata Consumer Products ltd. said the leadership changes form part of its ongoing transformation to strengthen its core businesses and unlock growth across markets.
For Tata Consumer the company that put the world’s most loved chai on millions of tables this is more than a handover. It’s a fresh blend of strategy and storytelling, brewed perfectly for its next growth chapter.
MUMBAI: Spotify has named Neha Ahuja director, growth for Japac, tasking her with boosting the music-streaming giant’s user base across Japan, Korea, Australia and Southeast Asia.
Ahuja, a marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience across FMCG, telecom and media, has been with Spotify since 2019. She previously served as head of marketing for India, where she helped launch the service and guided it to market leadership within four years. She also played a key role in building local organisational capability and driving cultural relevance for the brand among India’s youth.
Before Spotify, Ahuja held senior marketing roles at Vodafone and Procter & Gamble, spanning brand strategy, partnerships and consumer marketing. She also sits on the board of Women in Tech India, part of a global movement promoting diversity in Stem.
In her new role, she will oversee strategy, marketing, product-market fit and payments, using data, experimentation and cultural insights to drive both free and premium growth.
“Not every career move is upward—some are outward,” she said. “This one is about building across borders with fresh curiosity and intent.”
MUMBAI — Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care has announced a top-level shuffle in its technology leadership. Nikunj Jain, the current head of information technology, will step down from his role at the close of business on 30 June 2025, as he prepares to relocate overseas for a new assignment within the P&G group.
Replacing him is Jai Pankaj, a P&G veteran with over 15 years at the company. He will assume the role of head of IT effective 1 September 2025, and relocate back to India.
Pankaj, a B.E. in chemical engineering from NIT Karnataka and an MBA from IIM Lucknow, is currently based in Indonesia. He serves as the chief information officer for P&G’s Indonesian business as well as its e-commerce operations across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Over the years, he has spearheaded critical IT initiatives, including Martech and data science for P&G India, and managed tech strategy across 15 markets, including Japan and Korea.
The leadership transition was formally communicated to the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange in accordance with regulatory disclosure norms.
With Jain’s departure and Pankaj’s homecoming, the FMCG major appears to be tightening its digital strategy amid an increasingly tech-driven consumer landscape.
MUMBAI: Siddhartha Vachaspati, one of Procter & Gamble’s most seasoned sales leaders, is set to exit the company on 30 June 2025, drawing curtains on a 21-year tenure that saw him helm P&G’s Rs 1,200 crore health care business and lead a 1,000-strong sales force across India.
Known for his deep command over FMCG, OTC, and pharma markets, Vachaspati’s career has been a masterclass in commercial leadership – spanning P&L ownership, trade marketing, GTM strategies, and post-M&A transitions for global giants like P&G, Unilever, Henkel Spic, and Gillette.
With a résumé that criss-crosses India, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, he’s navigated everything from general trade to e-commerce, pharmacy to military channels, and key accounts to B2B.
The company confirmed his resignation to the Bombay stock exchange through a regulatory filing, adding that Vachaspati will be moving on to pursue interests outside P&G. As he signs off, he leaves behind a legacy of scale, strategy, and shopper smarts – a sales playbook few can rival.
MUMBAI: Veteran marketing leader Gayatri Yadav has joined Reliance Industries Limited as group chief marketing officer (CMO) and EVP, strategic initiatives, chairman’s office. In this role, she will collaborate closely with Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani, and Anant Ambani to drive brand innovation and strengthen consumer engagement.
Gayatri, who brings over three decades of diverse experience, has held prominent positions across FMCG, media, and investment sectors. Her career includes key roles at Procter & Gamble, General Mills, and Star India, where she spearheaded major marketing strategies. Most recently, she served as CMO at Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India & SEA), leading its rebranding and digital growth initiatives.
Reflecting on her journey, Gayatri expressed gratitude for past opportunities and highlighted her excitement to contribute to Reliance’s growth-driven vision, stating: “What is good for India is good for Reliance.”
Beyond her corporate roles, Gayatri holds board positions at Paani Foundation, United Way Mumbai, and PRS Legislative Research, underscoring her commitment to social impact.
MUMBAI: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) presented its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Madison Media & OOH group CEO Vikram Sakhuja, on 10 January at a glittering ceremony attended by leading figures from the advertising and marketing industry – Piyush Pandey, Prasoon Joshi, N. P. Singh, Arvind Sharma, Madhukar Kamath, Ramesh Narayan, Sam Balsara, Shashi Sinha, Anupriya Acharya, Prasanth Kumar, and another 200 of them.
With nearly four decades of expertise, Sakhuja has been associated with global giants like Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Co, Star TV, Mindshare, Maxus, and GroupM. An alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta, his career highlights include setting up India’s first media AOR, launching the country’s first afternoon soap opera, and leading brand introductions during P&G’s and Coca-Cola’s early days in India. He has also been instrumental in pioneering research initiatives such as BASES and retail audits and transforming GroupM into India’s largest and most awarded marketing investment powerhouse.
Accepting the award, Sakhuja reflected on his 38-year journey, including 23 years in the agency world. He noted how his 15 years in marketing gave him a solid foundation. And how his early years in DCM between IIT and IIM shaped his professional outlook, stating, “After five years of college, I got a taste of professionalism, and it tasted pretty good. I said to myself: If this is what corporate life prepares us for, I’m all game for it.”
He added: “I am truly humbled to have been given the Lifetime Achievement Award by AAAI. When I look at the list of 31 recipients before me, it’s genuinely humbling because they were all legends. I am a mere mortal. That said, it is brilliant to receive this validation from my peers. I thank the entire industry for this lovely honour that I’ve been bestowed with.”
In response to the honour, Madison World chairman Sam Balsara remarked: “This lifetime achievement award is a testament to Vikram’s tireless work ethic, his passion for excellence and his commitment to making a positive impact on the media industry as a whole.”
Sakhuja remains an active contributor to the industry through roles in organizations like the Advertising Standards Council of India (Asci), Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), Readership Studies Council of India (RSCI), Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), and Ficci’s marketing committee.
The accolade recognises Sakhuja’s outstanding contributions to shaping India’s media and advertising landscape.
MUMBAI: P&G India has appointed Rohini Venkateswaran as sales head of the organisation who will take over from the new year. She replaces Sairamana Ponugoti who resigned recently with his last day being 31 December 2024. The company informed the BSE about the development through a regulatory filing today.
Rohini Venkateswaran is an alumnus of SP Jain Institute of Management, Mumbai. She currently serves as the vice president & country manager Procter & Gamble Gulf – east gulf & sales strategy Gulf. In her current role, Rohini is responsible for five countries in Gulf- Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar as general manager and UAE as overall sales strategy leader.
She joined Procter and Gamble India in 2005 in sales, and has diverse experiences in distributor management, modern trade and sales strategy and planning roles across geographies including Dubai and the US. She has worked with all global customers and channels including e-commerce and has also gained diverse experience as the commercial leader for Olay and Old Spice in India.
She is passionate about equality and inclusion and building long-term strategic partnerships with stakeholders. She enjoys coaching and mentoring people in bringing out their best. She is a graduate in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering, Bangalore.
Mumbai: Whisper, feminine-care brand from Procter & Gamble, has created history by launching the nation’s own Period Song, with India’s biggest voices – Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan. Both the musicians created their own versions of the ‘Period Song, launching it today on World Menstrual Hygiene Day. Whisper has provided period education to over 100 million girls and women till date and are shining the spotlight on the early onset of menstruation among young girls in the fifth edition of its popular Keep Girls in School movement. Through this catchy tune with very relevant, educative lyrics for young minds, the intent is to get every Indian to sing it and believe – Periods is a sign of being healthy.
Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan created their own version of the period song, through which they taught school children about menstruation, who later joined them by singing along and dancing to the tune.
“I am so excited to sing India’s own period song, which I hope, will reach every citizen of India and empower young girls to live their lives confidently and without fear – both in school and outside of it. It is shocking that girls are getting periods as early as the age of 8 which makes it even more critical for Whisper’s period song to break societal taboos by educating girls early on and preventing school dropouts. The song is so catchy and joyful that it plays in my mind throughout the day, and I can’t resist humming it. It is a great way to tell all boys and girls that – Periods ka matlab healthy hai aap. It is a song that India truly needed and I’m proud to be associated with it,” said Sunidhi Chauhan.
“I am honoured to lend my voice for Whisper’s period song. It’s so important to educate young children about periods so that they are prepared and there is no fear. Our effort is to let young girls know that getting their periods irrespective of their age means that they are healthy. Girls are getting their periods as early as the age of 8, and this puts about 26 million girls in India at the risk of dropping out of school without proper period education and products. Kudos to Whisper to taking the initiative and normalising periods by teaching young children about it. I was so happy to create the song in different languages, so it can truly become the song of the nation,” said singer Shreya Ghoshal
Studies show that one in five girls have been at the risk of dropping out of school due to lack of period education and products*. With girls starting periods at as early as the age of 8 years, this could escalate further. Without period awareness, 26 million girls could be at the risk of dropping out of school^. Whisper’s Keep Girls in School program has been working on normalising periods and providing girls with the right education and period products, so that they don’t have to compromise on their future and can continue staying in school. Till date Whisper has taught over 100 million girls and women about periods and distributed sanitary pads. Every year, they go to over 50,000 schools to conduct period education sessions.
Shreya Ghoshal sang the mukhda, or “face of the song,” Periods Ka Matlab Healthy Hai aap in eight different languages including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi and many others: truly making it the song of the Nation on periods.
‘The song was originally composed and directed by music director Aman Pant, and via clever use of music, Whisper has given a wonderful tool to society, to educate young girls and boys about periods. With the biggest voices in the country picking this momentum, it can help break taboos and normalise periods as a sign of being a strong and healthy girl.
Mumbai: India’s leading feminine-care brand Whisper, from the house of Procter & Gamble, is raising awareness about— the early onset of menstruation among young girls — as part of the fifth edition of its #KeepGirlsInSchool (KGIS) movement. With girls starting periods as early as eight years of age, the need to create awareness early on is crucial, as 26 million girls can be at risk of dropping out of school without period education and access to period products.* Studies have found that one out of five girls could be dropping out of school due to a lack of period education and access to period products.**
In India today, girls as young as eight years of age are beginning their menstrual cycle, as per several reports, and so are at a higher risk of dropping out from school due to lack of period education. This could lead to escalation in absenteeism and increased drop out rate if they do not learn and are made aware at the right time. Whisper is at the forefront of educating girls across the country about the importance of menstrual hygiene, normalising any myths and taboos about periods, with an aim to decrease dropout rates caused by insufficient information and lack of access to period products. To date, Whisper’s Keep Girls In School program has taught over 100 million schoolgirls and mothers about periods and period products, and provided free sanitary napkins to girls.
Whisper’s new emotional film features young eight-year-old girls who know nothing about menstruation and think up the worst possible scenarios as the cause of unexpected bleeding in one of their friends. The film aims to normalise this natural biological change in their body by educating young girls in school about the early onset of periods with a fun, catchy jingle that reiterates, “periods ka matlab healthy hai aap (periods means you are healthy)”.
Publicis Groupe – South Asia chief creative officer and Leo Burnett – South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das said “Our ongoing research about the changing conversations around menstruation identified a glaring anomaly – girls today are getting their periods much earlier than before. However, they are being educated about periods at a much later stage or oftentimes not at all. Whisper and Leo Burnett have been on a journey to keep girls in school for a long time and we wanted to bridge this gap. Our latest work talks to the 8-year-olds in a language they can understand, with a heartwarming song that teaches them that getting periods means they are healthy. The goal is to not just teach the little girls but also use the song as a tool to equip her ecosystem- parents and educators, enabling them to teach periods in an empowering manner.”
“There is a seismic shift happening in period biology. This heightens the need to educate girls early on and to prepare them to embrace this biological process. Through this initiative, we strive to educate them about how periods are healthy and how they can take care of themselves on their period days. Every year, Whisper goes to more than 60,000 schools to create period education programs and we are now also going to younger standards. Consumers too can do their bit buying a Whisper Ultra pack which will help us educate and donate pads to one girl to keep her in school,” said Procter & Gamble Vice president & category leader – India feminine care Girish Kalyanaraman.
KGIS is an initiative by Whisper which aims to reduce the stigma attached to menstruation, create awareness and reduce the number of girls who drop due to the lack of information around menstrual hygiene. KGIS has taught over 100 million school girls about periods and period products till date. For the first time, Whisper has used music to raise awareness about periods; through a fun and catchy jingle, “periods ka matlab healthy hai aap”.
Mumbai: Did you know that India boasts the world’s highest number of female STEM graduates at a commendable 43 per cent? However, the stark reality is that only an estimated 14 per cent of them are part of the STEM workforce. These numbers underscore a significant dropout after education & workplace gender gap that urgently needs addressing. Deep-rooted gender stereotypes link STEM fields to men, steering women toward traditional household tasks. Early exposure to these stereotypes dissuades young girls from exploring STEM, resulting in a scarcity of female representation. The absence of prominent female role models and mentors compounds the issue, dissuading even those who initially venture into STEM careers. The dearth of female role models often leads women to drop out, perpetuating the gender gap in STEM.
For decades, Procter & Gamble’s legacy skincare brand Olay, a brainchild of chemist Graham Wulff, has maintained a deep understanding of women’s changing needs through science since its inception. Olay is not only deeply rooted in research and development but strongly believes in gender equality. With a 50/50 female-to-male management split in the region, it also helps eliminate gender bias inside and outside of the workplace. Led by a female R&D leader – Chandrika Kasturi, Olay’s R&D team is over 250 strong and comprises of more than 50 per cent female scientists.
In March 2023, Olay India commissioned a survey and the findings attested to the fact that due to a lack of female role models, young girls are found to not pursue a career in STEM. 81 per cent of the respondents dropped out due to the lack of female role models who can pave the way for success. Whereas 88 per cent said having female role models who are excelling in the workplace would influence them to go back to a career in STEM. Overall, 91 per cent of respondents said having a female role model is crucial to staying in a STEM career.
In 2021, Olay launched #STEMtheGap in India, aiming to address the STEM gender gap. The campaign garnered 10 million views and an 80 million reach, a record for Olay India. Beyond awareness, Olay invested Rs 30,03,026 in scholarships and learning tools for over 250 underprivileged girls in partnership with LEAD School. Within a year, there’s been a notable rise in STEM scores across all scholars.
This year, the new instalment of Olay’s #STEMTheGap initiative aims to shed light on the glaring absence of female mentors and role models. Ahead of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, Olay will begin the next leg of its 10-year program. As a brand rooted in scientific innovation and a deep connection with women, Olay India is taking meaningful steps to provide young girls with mentorship and role models through the following three initiatives:
A powerful film: The brand has unveiled a hard-hitting digital film in collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Anand Gandhi. The film delves into India’s rich history of remarkable women in STEM and pays homage to the enduring legacies of luminaries like Dr. Anandibai Joshi, Kamala Sohonie, Dr. Janaki Ammal, Kalpana Chawla, among others, showcasing their inspiring journeys. It highlights the urgent need for more female role models in STEM today. The film also sheds light on the societal biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEM careers, emphasizing the crucial role of female mentors.
The AI-SHU Virtual Mentor: The brand has also launched the beta version of a web-based virtual chat mentor that will offer guidance and information to aspiring young girls seeking to enter the world of STEM—and a wonderful supplement to Olay’s mentorship program. This virtual chat mentor has been created with the help of successful women in different STEM fields in India such as Shannon Olsson (founder and global director of the echo network), Swarna Manjari (communication designer), Dr. Vandana Prasad (community pediatrician and public health professional), Tarunima Prabhakar (tech and policy research at Tattle Civic Tech and Carnegie India), to name a few, to provide the user with knowledge, resources, and encouragement on their journeys.
Mentorship with vLookUp: In collaboration with vLookUp, Olay has joined forces to offer a platform connecting female students in higher education with STEM mentors online. Over 300 sign-ups have been recorded in the past year, with carefully chosen participants engaging in four-month mentorship programs facilitated by volunteers from P&G and partner companies. This program completes the mentorship journey from virtual mentorship to meaningful connections with experts in the field.
STEM Scholarships: To encourage future women in STEM, Olay continues to partner with LEAD, India’s premier school EdTech provider, to sponsor STEM scholarships to over 250 underprivileged girls. These scholarships empower girls across India by providing financial support for STEM education and career development.
Despite the growing availability of STEM jobs in India, it remains essential to motivate and support Indian girls in pursuing STEM education for their active involvement in future employment opportunities. Olay is committed to fostering change and providing equal opportunities for girls in India. Since 2021, the brand has been sponsoring tuition fees, tablets, and data packs for girls across six states. The revamp of Olay’s #STEMTheGap initiative is a comprehensive campaign, with the film launched on various platforms, aiming to challenge stereotypes and inspire girls to break barriers and pursue STEM careers.
Speaking on the second leg of the campaign, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Sr VP, skin & personal care – Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Priyali Kamath said, “For decades, Procter & Gamble’s legacy skincare brand Olay has maintained a deep understanding of women’s changing needs through science. At Olay, we understand the critical importance of female role models in the STEM field, and our commitment to bridging the gender gap is unparalleled. This year’s theme, centered on the significance of role models and the introduction of mentorship initiative, highlights our commitment to ensuring every young girl knows that she can be the next leader in her field. Through initiatives like #STEMTheGap and our commitment to gender equality, we are working hard to double the number of women in STEM by 2030 and create a more inclusive and equitable future. We’re proud to recognize and support the next generation of women in STEM who will one day be making history in their respective fields, and become role models for young girls in the future.”
Publicis Groupe Southeast Asia chief creative officer Ajay Vikram said, “There are many accomplished women leaders in STEM in India today. Yet, a ‘lack of mentors’ is often cited as a big reason why so few women make a career in STEM. This got us thinking. How do we not just celebrate the achievements of women in STEM, but actually be useful to be there at the very moment when needed, a friend and guide to any girl or woman looking for answers as they stand at the crossroads of choosing their path forward. Technology came in handy as a way to help, but we can’t wait to see how much more AI-SHU can do to help women find their way to a future of their choosing.”
The underrepresentation of women in STEM fields with very few female role models to look up to, causes fewer and fewer women to join these fields and many even dropout due to lack of external motivation. Olay’s unwavering dedication to overcome this challenge as a brand that maintains a deep understanding of women is brought out through the various studies and surveys it has conducted to start different initiatives for uplifting and supporting women in STEM.
