Former Kraft Heinz Marketing Executive Joins PepsiCo as Europe's Chief Marketing Officer

Source: PepsiCo Beverages North America via Golin

PepsiCo has appointed Paula Marconi, former Kraft Heinz Continental Europe CMO, as its new top marketer for Europe with the aim of enhancing its market presence in the region.

Paula Marconi will take on the role of Europe CMO, succeeding Ian Ellington, who has been in the position for the last five years and will be moving to a different part of the global marketing team. Her appointment is now in effect.

Marconi has recently joined the Europe leadership team during a crucial period of transformation and expansion, according to the business. She will have a significant role in implementing PepsiCo Europe's business strategy by focusing on sustainable profitable category growth, innovation, and brand development.

Before starting at the beverage company, Marconi gained over two years of experience at Kraft Heinz. Prior to that, she served as vice-president of marketing at Anheuser-Busch InBev for seven years and spent 12 years at Unilever in the personal care division.

Marconi expresses excitement about joining PepsiCo, a brand that is always evolving and innovating to stay ahead. He looks forward to contributing to the company's vision for customers and consumers across Europe.

Marconi will be reporting to Europe CEO Silviu Popovici, as well as to Jane Wakely, who serves as both the executive vice-president and chief consumer and marketing officer, as well as the chief growth officer of International Foods.

Popovici praises Marconi for his extensive experience and innovative approach, which he believes will be invaluable in enhancing the company's market presence in Europe.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Popovici announced that Marconi will be spearheading the amplification of its brands and driving forward the #PepsiCoPositive transformation. He also expressed gratitude to Ellington for his exceptional contributions to the business.

In July 2023, PepsiCo acknowledged that its marketing efforts had played a key role in enhancing the strength of its brands and increasing their perceived value.

PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta stated, "In some ways, this is the result of our continuous investments over the past few years. Our brands have become stronger, the perceived value of our products has improved, and as a result, we have been able to increase prices while maintaining consumer loyalty to our brands."

Marconi recently left Heinz, following in the footsteps of Irina Rodina, a former Kraft Heinz executive who departed in April to join Bacardi. In her new role, Rodina serves as the senior vice president for marketing strategy and operations, overseeing global responsibilities.

Rodina joined Kraft Heinz in 2020 and spent nearly two years with the company before moving on to Bacardi.

Editor's P/S:

PepsiCo's appointment of Paula Marconi as its new top marketer for Europe signals the company's commitment to strengthening its market presence in the region. Marconi's extensive experience in marketing and innovation, honed during her stints at Kraft Heinz, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Unilever, will be invaluable in driving PepsiCo's growth strategy. Her focus on sustainable profitable category growth, innovation, and brand development aligns with the company's broader goals.

Marconi's appointment also highlights the increasing trend of executives moving between leading food and beverage companies. The recent departure of Irina Rodina from Kraft Heinz to Bacardi and Marconi's own departure from Kraft Heinz demonstrate the interconnectedness of the industry. This movement of talent suggests that companies are actively seeking expertise to drive growth and innovation in a competitive global market.