PepsiCo has officially announced the appointment of Mark Kirkham as the new Chief Marketing Officer for its North America Beverages division. Kirkham succeeds Greg Lyons, who is departing the company to pursue new opportunities outside of PepsiCo.
A seasoned leader with over 15 years at PepsiCo, Kirkham brings extensive experience in brand building, innovation, and insights. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Marketing for Sparkling Brands and previously held key international leadership roles, including Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo International Beverages. His expertise in driving impactful marketing campaigns and global brand growth makes him well-positioned to lead PepsiCo’s marketing initiatives in North America.
The leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for PepsiCo’s beverage business as the company strengthens its focus on healthier beverage options and brand revitalization. Kirkham has played a crucial role in launching successful marketing initiatives, including the Pepsi Zero Sugar Challenge and the global Pepsi rebrand. His strategic vision will help drive PepsiCo’s continued success in an increasingly competitive market.
Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America, expressed confidence in Kirkham’s leadership, stating,
“Mark is a multi-disciplined marketer and creative storyteller with deep, global experience in the beverage business. He led the step-changed international approach to accelerating zero sugar and expanding our portfolio to address the needs of evolving consumers. In working with Mark over the years, I’ve been impressed by his imaginative approach to scalable problem solving; he is well-poised to take on this role and lead us into the next chapter of innovation and growth.”
The appointment comes as PepsiCo continues to compete with Coca-Cola for market share, particularly in the rapidly growing zero-sugar beverage category. With consumer preferences shifting towards healthier alternatives, both companies are investing heavily in marketing initiatives that align with evolving trends. Kirkham’s deep understanding of consumer behavior and brand strategy is expected to be a key asset as PepsiCo navigates these market dynamics.
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