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
Emami names Dhruv Aggarwal as chief growth officer
Former Bain partner steps in as FMCG firm sharpens growth playbook
MUMBAI: Emami Limited has appointed Dhruv Aggarwal as its chief growth officer, effective 25 March 2026, following the resignation of Giriraj Bagri.
Aggarwal joins the FMCG major from Bain & Company, where he most recently served as partner. With over two decades of experience across consulting and strategy, he brings a global perspective shaped by work across India, the US, the UK and Germany.
During his tenure at Bain, Aggarwal advised consumer, retail and media companies on large-scale transformations, business turnarounds and growth strategies. He was also closely involved with India’s startup ecosystem, guiding early-stage ventures on scaling and digital expansion, while supporting private equity and venture capital firms on investment decisions.
His earlier stints include a brief role at Barclays Capital and operational experience at Jindal Power, giving him a mix of financial and industry exposure.
Academically, Aggarwal holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and has also been associated with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a PhD candidate and teaching assistant.
The appointment comes at a time when Emami Limited is looking to sharpen its growth strategy in a competitive consumer market. With a seasoned strategist now at the helm of growth, the company appears set to double down on transformation and expansion in the months ahead.
