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Tag: The Coca-Cola Co

  • Former Britannia CEO to captain HUL’s food division

    Former Britannia CEO to captain HUL’s food division

    MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has tapped Rajneet Singh Kohli, the former culinary captain of Britannia, to helm its foods division, marking a strategic move in the competitive consumer goods landscape.

    Effective 7 April 2025, Kohli will slide into the executive director, foods role, replacing Shiva Krishnamurthy, who is departing to explore external opportunities. With a sizzling 28-year career spanning consumer goods and retail, Kohli brings a recipe for success that could just be the secret sauce HUL needs.

    At Britannia, Kohli proved himself a master chef of business strategy, seasoning the company’s market position with product innovation and digital prowess. His leadership portfolio includes appetising stints at Jubilant Foodworks, The Coca-Cola Co, and Asian Paints.

    HUL chief executive Rohit Jawa  praised Krishnamurthy’s decade-long tenure, highlighting his transformation of the tea portfolio and marketing brilliance. “Rajneet brings extensive experience in managing large foods and beverages businesses,” Jawa said, signalling high expectations for the incoming executive.

    The foods business represents a significant growth runway for HUL, with Kohli’s track record suggesting he might just be the perfect ingredient to cook up further success.

  • Vikram Sakhuja honored with AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award

    Vikram Sakhuja honored with AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award

    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.

  • Henrique Braun gets promoted to EVP & COO at The Coca-Cola Co

    Henrique Braun gets promoted to EVP & COO at The Coca-Cola Co

    MUMBAI: Come the new year and Henrique Braun will be carrying a new designation at The Coca-Cola Co. Last week, he was named executive vice-president & chief operating officer.  In his expanded role, Braun will be responsible for all of the company’s operating units worldwide. He will report to chairman &  CEO James Quincey.

    Braun currently serves as EVP & president, international development, overseeing the company’s operating units for Latin America; Japan & South Korea; Asean & south Pacific; Greater China and Mongolia; Africa; India & southwest Asia; and Eurasia and Middle East.

    As COO, Braun will  add oversight of the north America and Europe operating units.

    “Henrique has built an impressive track record of driving our growth strategy along with numerous operational accomplishments, all while keeping the consumer as the center of decisions,” Quincey said. “He has proven to be a trusted, strategic leader with a reputation for developing talent and delivering results.”

    Prior to his current role, Braun served as president of the Latin America operating unit from 2020 to 2022 and as president of the Brazil business unit from 2016 to 2020. From 2013 to 2016, he was president of the company’s Greater China & Korea business unit.

    Braun, 56, joined The Coca-Cola Co in 1996 in Atlanta and progressed through roles of increasing responsibilities in north America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Those positions included supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management and bottling operations. Braun has served in regional, business unit and corporate functions.

    “I am energised and honored to take on this broader role and look forward to partnering with James, our executive leadership team, bottling partners and associates to deliver on our total beverage strategy and drive growth across the company and our system worldwide,” Braun said.

    The following leaders will report to Braun:
    Selman Careaga, president, ASEAN & South Pacific operating unit;
    Nikos Koumettis, president, Europe operating unit;
    Gilles Leclerc, president, Greater China and Mongolia operating unit;
    Jennifer Mann, EVP and president, North America operating unit;
    Luisa Ortega, president, Africa operating unit;
    Murat Ozgel, president, Japan & South Korea operating unit;
    Bruno Pietracci, president, Latin America operating unit;
    Sanket Ray, president, India & Southwest Asia operating unit;
    Sedef Salingan Sahin, president, Eurasia and Middle East operating unit.

    Braun holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, a master’s of science degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Georgia State University.

  • Jubiliant Bhartia group develops thirst for Coke’s biggest Indian bottler

    Jubiliant Bhartia group develops thirst for Coke’s biggest Indian bottler

    MUMBAI: It’s bottling  a major partnership with  the famous Bhartia brothers  – Shyam and Hari.  Atlanta-based The Coca -Cola Co today announced that it has reached an agreement with the multibillion dollar, well- diversified Jubilant Bhartia group to acquire a 40 per cent stake in Hindustan Coca -Cola Holdings (HCCH). 

    HCCH is  the parent company of the largest Coca -Cola bottler in India, Hindustan Coca -Cola Beverages (HCCB) which primarily has a presence in the south and west of India. 

    “The Jubilant Bhartia group will bring invaluable experience and insights to our business as we continue to grow our presence in India,” said The Coca- Cola Co president of international development Henrique Braun. “Jubilant Bhartia Group brings a track record of building and growing consumer and other businesses in India with international partners. They are also committed to investing in the communities they serve.”

    The Coca -Cola Co’s locally-owned franchise partners in India are positioned to drive successful outcomes. The investment by the Jubilant Bhartia Group family will contribute to the company’s ongoing success and help strengthen its position in the Indian market, added The Coca-Cola Co in a press statement.

    Jubilant Bhartia group founder & chairman Shyam S. Bhartia and founder & co-chairman Hari S. Bhartia said the investment is an ideal addition to their business. They have a fortune estimated at about $.4.5 billion according to Forbes. The group has a presence in fast food, pharma, energy and auto distribution. Group company Jubiliant Foodworks operates the Dominos Pizza, Dunkin Donuts and Popeye’s franchises in India.

    “The Coca- Cola Co is home to some of the most respected global brands and we are delighted to be associated with them,” Bhartia said. “Together, we will leverage opportunities to grow the business to greater heights and ensure more Indian consumers can enjoy The Coca Cola Co’s refreshing portfolio of iconic local and international brands.”

    Because the brothers have non-disclosure agreements with the  beverage giant, the Bhartias were loath to reveal any details of the scale of investment the deal entailed, but market guesstimates are that it  is at around Rs 12,500 crore, with HCCB being valued at Rs 31,250 crore.

    The Coca -Cola India  president  & southwest Asia operating unit head Sanket Ray said.  “We welcome the Jubilant Bhartia group to the Coca -Cola system in India. With its diverse experience in various sectors, Jubilant brings decades of rich experience that will help accelerate the Coca -Cola system, enabling us to win in the market and provide greater value to local communities and consumers.”

    The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Rothschild & Co acted as exclusive financial adviser to The Coca -Cola Co while Morgan Stanley was the advisor for the Jubiliant Bhartia group