Pepsi hires commercially driven marketer to be 'faster, stronger and better'

PepsiCo has appointed Jane Wakely (pictured) as its executive VP, chief consumer and marketing officer and chief growth officer, international foods. The company has also promoted CCO Ram Krishnan to CEO, international beverages and CCO. PepsiCo said in a statement that the appointments come as the company continues its efforts to be even "faster, stronger and better". Both Wakely and Krishnan will report to PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta. 

As chief consumer and marketing officer, Wakely will focus on driving accelerated growth by elevating PepsiCo's consumer-centricity, innovation, brand and marketing capabilities.  At the same time, Wakely's role as chief growth officer, international foods, will see her accelerate the company's positive choices pillar PepsiCo Positive, better known as "pep+". This includes evolving PepsiCo's portfolio into new spaces that are better for the planet and people by developing products with more diverse ingredients, such as plant-based proteins, nuts and seeds, and whole grains.

Wakely brings with her 28 years of marketing experience. According to her LinkedIn, Wakely was formerly lead CMO and Pet Nutrition CMO at Mars. She was with Mars for 20 years, where she first joined as VP, marketing and innovation, for Europe's food division in 2001. During her time at Mars, Wakely was also VP, marketing and innovation, for Europe's chocolate division and global CMO for the chocolate division. Prior to that, Wakely was with Procter & Gamble for eight years, her LinkedIn stated.

"Wakely is a creative and commercially-oriented marketer who is passionate about purpose and innovation as critical growth levers," said PepsiCo Chairman and CEO, Ramon Laguarta. "She has a proven track record of success, and I am confident that with her leadership, we will take our consumer-centricity, innovation, brand and marketing strategies and capabilities, and International Foods growth to a new level."

"PepsiCo is a marketing powerhouse known for its commitment to innovation and world-class, consumer-focused brands," said Wakely .

Meanwhile, 15-year PepsiCo veteran Krishnan will focus on driving accelerated growth for the International Beverages business, including PepsiCo's international franchise bottlers, with an end-to-end focus on brand-building, innovation, supply chain, digitalisation, talent and sustainability. He will be in charge of leading faster growth for the SodaStream and Beyond the Bottle businesses, as well as the Pepsi Lipton partnership, the company's joint venture with Unilever. This move, effective January 1, 2022, will bring PepsiCo's critical beverage expertise and commercial capabilities into one group, with an eye toward optimising the end-to-end operating model, capital allocations and building new capabilities. Krishnan will continue to oversee the company's e-Commerce business and global commercial capabilities.

"Ram has been an incredibly effective leader for our commercial agenda," said Laguarta. "With this newly created role, he will bring focus and a proven formula for success to drive faster growth for our International Beverages business."