Top mgmt rejig at PepsiCo India; Punita Lal to head JV with Tata

New Delhi: Soft drinks and snacks major Pepsico India is believed to have reshuffled the top management with its executive director (marketing), Punita Lal, being moved to head the company's new joint venture with Tata Tea. According to sources, Lal, who was responsible for PepsiCo’s beverage branding in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, will now take up the responsibility of steering the JV, which was announced in April this year.

Comments from Pepsico India could not be obtained as officials did not respond to repeated calls and text messages sent. The sources, however, said in other reshuffle of senior management in the company, Praveen Someshwar, who is the chief operating officer of the bottling operations, will now head the beverages business of the company.

PepsiCo India Foods marketing director Deepika Warrier will now become the marketing head of the beverages division reporting directly to Someshwar.

Moreover, Vidur Vyas, who was responsible for 'Indian snacks' division, will now become the overall marketing head of the food arm, Fritolay.