Brands
Sonia Arora named director, consumer insights at Pernod Ricard India
Insights leader steps up to shape innovation and strategy at spirits major
MUMBAI: Sonia Arora has been elevated to director of consumer insights at Pernod Ricard India, marking a new chapter in a career built on decoding what consumers think, feel and, crucially, buy.
Arora steps into the role after serving as innovation insights and planning lead at the company, where she spent over four years sharpening the link between consumer understanding and business strategy. Her work has consistently revolved around turning data into direction, helping brands stay culturally relevant while driving growth.
Before joining Pernod Ricard India, she held leadership roles at NielsenIQ and Nielsen, where she specialised in Babes, the firm’s flagship innovation practice. During this time, she led initiatives across India, South Asia and North Asia, working with multinational clients to fine-tune product launches and expand research into newer categories.
Her earlier stint with Diageo India and United Spirits Limited further strengthened her grounding in the spirits business, where she focused on innovation planning, cultural insights and end-to-end research across the product development lifecycle.
Across roles, Arora has built a reputation for blending qualitative and quantitative research with cultural intelligence, ensuring that brands don’t just follow trends but anticipate them. From early-stage concept testing to post-launch evaluation, her work has helped shape innovations that resonate in a fast-evolving market.
An alumna of K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research and Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering, Arora brings both analytical rigour and marketing instinct to the table.
In her new role, she is expected to steer consumer insights as a strategic engine, guiding Pernod Ricard India’s portfolio in a market where tastes shift quickly and staying relevant is half the battle won.
Brands
Samsung India elevates Aditya Babbar to lead mobile business
Exec takes charge of MX sales and marketing after Raju Pullan’s exit
NEW DELHI: Samsung India has elevated Aditya Babbar to lead its mobile phone business, following the exit of Raju Antony Pullan.
Babbar, who previously served as vice president within the mobile division, has been appointed head of sales and marketing for the MX (mobile experience) business, effective May 1. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s sales and marketing operations for smartphones and related categories in India, reporting to the executive vice president of the MX business.
A long-time Samsung executive, Babbar brings over a decade of experience within the organisation, having held multiple leadership roles across product, marketing and category management. Most recently, he led product marketing and e-commerce for the mobile division, following earlier stints as head of product and marketing and senior director roles.
His career within Samsung Electronics and its India operations has also included responsibilities for flagship devices, tablets and wearables, giving him a broad view of the company’s premium and mass-market portfolio.
Babbar succeeds Pullan, who stepped down from the role, marking a leadership transition at a time when India remains a key battleground for global smartphone makers.
The appointment signals continuity within Samsung’s leadership bench, with an internal candidate stepping up to steer one of its most critical business units in a highly competitive market.
