MARKETING TALENT

PepsiCo SA appoints ‘lifelong learner’ to Chief Marketing Officer role

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Vilosha Soni is confirmed as CMO for a diverse portfolio of PepsiCo brands. She brings with her extensive FMCG experience.

PepsiCo South Africa has announced the appointment of Vilosha Soni as Chief Marketing Officer. Her appointment became effective on 1 August 2024, after she joined as designate CMO on 1 May 2024.

Soni brings a wealth of FMCG experience to her new role, where she will be working on a diverse portfolio of PepsiCo SA brands. These include Simba Chips potato crisps, Bokomo Weetbix breakfast cereal, Lay’s potato crisps, and Liqui Fruit fruit juice.

She started her career as an Assistant Brand Manager at Unilever, before moving into trade marketing and various marketing roles at Nestlé. This was followed by an extensive stint in marketing at brewing company SABMiller.

Vilosha Soni. Photo: PepsiCo SA

Soni joins PepsiCo from Tiger Brands, where she held Marketing Director roles for the Enterprise Foods business unit and the culinary portfolio before moving into general management. Her last role was Managing Executive of the Home and Personal Care business unit.

A results-focused executive who creates a ‘clear vision and maximises value’

“She is a results-focused business executive who creates a clear vision and maximises value from organisational networks by fostering a culture of accountability,” the company says in a press release.

“Vilosha will leverage her demonstrated commercial acumen, excellent communication skills, knack for connecting the dots, and deep consumer insights, to foster winning strategies that will deliver innovation and growth for PepsiCo South Africa.”

She holds an MBA (with distinction) from Wits Business School, a BCom Hons, Economics from the University of South Africa (Unisa), and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Away from work, Soni’s personal interests include being an avid Formula One fan, cherishing quality time with her family, and expressing her creativity in the kitchen when the mood strikes.

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