MAM
Pepsi to bring in Gatorade soon?
MUMBAI: Mountain Dew may have been pitched as Pepsi’s new energy drink, but indications are that the beverage major may soon be launching the internationally popular sports drink Gatorade in India in a similar avatar.
Speaking on the sidelines of a media conference to launch Mountain Dew, positioned as a refreshing energy drink for irreverent urban youth, PepsiCo India Holdings chairman Rajeev Bakshi said that the company was looking at launching Gatorade soon. When pressed to specify the timeframe within which the drink would be launched, Bakshi responded with a cryptic “very soon”.
While Tropicana, Pepsi’s offering in the non carbonated soft drinks segment, will continue to be targeted at the top bracket premium consumer with any downward revision ruled out in the short term, Gatorade could well fill the masses’ need for an energy drink in the non CSD market. Pepsi officials present at the Mumbai launch of Mountain Dew, however, pointed out that Gatorade would, in all possibility, not be slotted as a sports drink. Pointing out that India is not a sport crazy country, Pepsi officials said that the company would try and pitch Gatorade as an energy drink instead.
The company is currently conducting ad and consumer research for testing consumer tastes for Gatorade. Bakshi meanwhile said that the company, which had said last year that it was looking at doubling its 120 million strong consumer base in three to four years, is on course for the target. Pepsi A-ha, the lemon tinged cola introduced last March, meanwhile commands an eight to 10 per cent share of total Pepsi sales, he said.
Brands
Tirumal Mannur promoted to director at Samsung India Electronics
Longtime Samsung executive steps up to drive strategy and growth in India
GURUGRAM: Samsung has turned to one of its longest-serving leaders in India for its next chapter of growth. Tirumal Mannur has been promoted to director at Samsung India Electronics, effective March 2026.
Based in Gurugram, Mannur will lead key strategic business units and help strengthen Samsung’s market leadership in the country. The role places him at the centre of the company’s efforts to sharpen its consumer electronics strategy and accelerate growth in one of its most important global markets.
Announcing the move, Mannur shared the news on LinkedIn, saying he was “happy to share” that he has started a new position as director at Samsung India Electronics Limited in Gurugram.
The promotion marks another milestone in Mannur’s long association with Samsung. He joined the company in 2009 and spent more than 16 years rising through the ranks, most recently serving as general manager.
Over the years, he has built deep expertise in consumer electronics, national sales and channel development, helping Samsung expand its footprint across India’s fast evolving electronics market.
Before joining Samsung, Mannur worked as national sales manager at TCL Electronics India. Earlier in his career, he held roles at LG Electronics, Whirlpool Co India Limited and Matsushita Air Conditioning India.
With more than two decades of experience across some of the biggest names in consumer electronics, Mannur now steps into the director’s role at a time when competition in India’s technology market is intensifying and demand for smart devices continues to surge.
