The Hindu Business Line : Pepsi sees top-level changes

AFTER the decision of Mr Shashi Kalathil, Executive Director, Marketing, to quit Pepsi, the company today said its Head of Operations (South), Mr Prakash Iyer, is moving to China as Regional Vice-President "to handle larger responsibilities within Pepsi".

"Mr Shashi Kalathil has decided to pursue interests outside Pepsi and has resigned from the services of the organisation. Also, Mr Prakash Iyer is moving to China as Regional Vice-President," a Pepsi Spokesperson confirmed to Business Line.

She said Mr Kalathil has quit after five-and-a-half years of service, but will remain with the company for another two months. However, she did not divulge who would succeed Mr Kalathil and Mr Iyer. "The succession plan is being worked out," she added.

Over the past five-and-a-half years, Mr Kalathil had the opportunity to work as the head of sales operations function for the South and in his last stint he moved as head of Marketing for the South Asia Business Unit, the spokesperson said adding in the case of Mr Iyer, the move to China was "definitely an upward career movement".

"Mr Kalathil led the business and marketing agenda in very complex and difficult environments and has been responsible for setting systems and processes of very high standards and in delivering outstanding creative output on the flagship brands," the Pepsi spokesperson added.

While the spokesperson declined to comment further on the issue, industry sources said Pepsi's Bangalore head, P. Venkatshankar, is likely to take the place of Mr Iyer as market unit head, South.