EXPERIENCE
Oct'2017 - Present
Executive Vice President Diageo India &
Board of Director - Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Cricket Team, Diageo India, Bengaluru
Feb'15 - Sept' 2017
Chief Innovation Officer &
Member of Global Innovation Leadership Team
Diageo India, Bengaluru
July'12 - Jan' 2015
Category Head: Chocolates
Mondelez - ex Cadbury, Mumbai.
Rejuvenated Diageo’s Indian whisky portfolio
Retail Turnover: Rs 20,000Cr, NSV: Rs 7200 Cr, Gross Profit: Rs 2200 Cr, A&P Rs 600Cr
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In one of the most complex, un-certain & regulated categories – Led the strategic rethink on portfolio strategy, comprehensive renovation & creative re-positioning of brands leading to best-ever MS gain in last 13 years
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Accelerated to double-digit topline & bottom-line growth for FY’18 & FY’19
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Led McDowell’s No1 to become the “World’s Biggest Whisky brand”
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Improved strategic profitability & built a culture of robust measurement & effectiveness
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Built a creative & digital excellence culture, 40 awards & improved brand & social love
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Created an integrated identity & positioning for RC whisky & RCB Cricket team
Built a world-class innovation organisation Team, process, culture & Rs 1700 Cr pipeline
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Created a pipeline of ideas worth 20% of overall business from < 2% in 2-year time
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Inspired support from Diageo India & Global leadership with a vision of “Normalising the relationship of alcohol with consumers, customers & society at large”
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Built “ONE TEAM” of cross-functional experts & embedded new age innovation practices
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Recognition from Global CMO/ CEO: India Innovation team has achieved more in 2 years, which many businesses don’t in 5 years.
Step-changed India chocolate performance
NSV: Rs 1500Cr, GM: Rs 600 Cr, A&P: 200Cr
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Transformed 5 Star, Gems & Celebrations through improved product offers (addressing core penalties) & premiumization by innovating for newer consumer needs & occasions
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Bold creative platforms to deliver some of the most loved & iconic advertising campaigns (5 Star Ramesh-Suresh, Gems Umarless, Celebrations –Diwali, Rakhi & Id campaigns)
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Successfully dealt with a significant business crisis of Cocoa inflation
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Co-led the creation of a global gifting brand – Cadbury Glow, launched across Asia.
June'10 - June' 2012
Business Strategy & New Business Head
Mondelez - ex Cadbury, Mumbai.
May'08 - May' 2010
Branch Sales Manager
Mondelez - ex Cadbury, Mumbai.
Jan'05 - Apr' 2008
Marketing Manager. Sr Brand Manager.
Mondelez - ex Cadbury, Mumbai
May'01 - Dec' 2004
Sr Area Sales Manager
Mondelez - ex Cadbury
Punjab, MP+ Chattisgarh
Led India business strategy & new business, white space opportunity identification & execution till proof of concept
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Led the 3-year strategic business plan with India Exec & APAC leadership team
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Led the strategic business case that led to entry for Cadbury into Rural markets
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Built a complete business, identity (brand, retail), team & product offerings for launching Cadbury Gourmet Chocolate stores.
Turnaround West India performance
Rs 1000Cr, 4 ASMs, 65 direct team strength
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Led the turnaround of the region to the 2nd position all India – for two consecutive years (from last position)
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Streamlined the distributor eco-system across a highly sensitive political & association market
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Leveraged technology to build a strong performance orientation within the team.
Transformed Indulgent candy portfolio & built an exciting innovation agenda
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Led Cadbury Dairy Milk Eclairs through a holistic renovation, innovation & an exciting communication platform. Brand grew 30% CAGR for 3 years (vs 4% CAGR before)
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Innovation Agenda: White spaces in Gum & candy category. Premium offers in Eclairs/ Halls. New convenience formats for the portfolio (Pocket-packs)
Led team to India No1, pioneered a big RTM change, successfully led during worm controversy
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Punjab + Chandigarh – Led the team to be the best team in the country in the year 2003
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Dealt & led the team out of “worm controversy” crisis w/o compromising business
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1st market nationally to successfully lead a new RTM approach (for product > vs < Rs 5)
EDUCATION
Indian Institute Of Management
Kolkatta | 1999-2001 | Post Graduate
Specialization: Marketing & Finance.
Indian Institute Of Technology
Varanasi | 1995-1999 | Graduate
Specialization: Electronics Engg.