The Hindu Business Line : Prakash Iyer quits Pepsi

SOFT drink giant Pepsi has witnessed a minor portfolio reshuffle. The company's Market Unit Manager in China, Mr Prakash Iyer, has put in his papers. Till May this year, Mr Iyer was the regional manager in South India for PepsiCo India. Sources said Mr Iyer has joined the niche publications company Infomedia India (earlier called Tata Infomedia) as Managing Director, but he could not be reached for comments.

Confirming the move, PepsiCo India officials said Mr Iyer's resignation has no effect on Indian operations and that the vacancy created by his movement to China earlier this year had already been filled.

In May, the company moved its regional manager (East) Mr Venkat Shankar to Mr Iyer's position and then asked Mr Alok Malik to take charge of the East Indian operations. Mr Malik was earlier in-charge of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir markets.

PepsiCo India officials also said a final decision on the next Executive Director (Marketing) would be taken by the month end. The position fell vacant after Mr Shashi Kalathil quit Pepsi in June this year.

However, no new appointment is expected in place of Mr Sunder Hemrajani, Executive Director Sales, who also put in his papers two months ago. PepsiCo officials said his functions were being looked after by the Operations Head, Mr Tanmay Vats.