Mark Kirkham, Chief Marketing Officer – PepsiCo Beverages North America
Executive Summary
Mark Kirkham currently holds the position of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for PepsiCo Beverages North America, officially appointed in March 2025. With 25 years of marketing experience—15 of which have been at PepsiCo—he leads a comprehensive portfolio of beverage brands, overseeing strategies that drive innovation, brand reinvention, and market growth. Kirkham’s extensive track record includes global and regional marketing leadership, international expansion initiatives, and integrated marketing activation across top-tier consumer brands.
Current Role and Responsibilities
- Title: Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Beverages North America (as of March 2025)
- Publicly announced in March 2025 following the departure of predecessor Greg Lyons.
- Primary Duties:
- Responsible for brand and category strategy, media, innovation, content development, key partnerships, and marketing programs for flagship brands, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Starry, Bubly, and Mug.
- Directs marketing initiatives for PepsiCo’s North American Soft Drinks portfolio, with a focus on innovation and brand equity growth.
- Oversees the transition and execution of initiatives around zero sugar and brand reinvention, reflecting current industry trends and consumer preferences.
Professional Background and Experience
PepsiCo (2009–Present)
- Length of Service: 15 years, in roles ranging from US-based innovation to global CMO positions.
- Notable Recent Roles:
- Senior Vice President, Marketing – Pepsi & Sparkling Brands (US) (immediately prior to CMO role).
- Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo International Beverages (held for over 8 years while based internationally).
- VP, Global Sports, Juice, and Energy (International).
- Head of Marketing & Innovation, Western Europe.
- Key Achievements at PepsiCo:
- Global Brand Leadership: Drove strategic international expansion, notably for brands such as Gatorade and Mountain Dew across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America.
- Iconic Campaign Development: Led global campaigns, including the Pepsi-UEFA Champions League partnership and the Worldwide Pepsi Taste Challenge.
- Innovation and New Product Development: Began at PepsiCo with a focus on new product innovation and packaging in the US; since contributed to numerous award-winning brand building initiatives.
Prior Experience
- Procter & Gamble (P&G):
- Managed global and regional brand portfolios.
- Led new product development and implemented brand activation strategies in the US and Europe.
- Gillette:
- Held significant roles related to consumer marketing.
- Nielsen & Forrester Research:
- Early career roles in research, marketing consulting, and communications.
Expertise and Industry Relevance
- Experience: 25 years across consumer goods, with a critical focus on insights, innovation, and global brand management.
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability driving both global and US market strategies, positioning top beverage brands for growth in evolving categories such as zero sugar and functional beverages.
- Marketing Innovation: Known for leveraging media partnerships, content, and digital transformation to drive brand engagement.
- Team Development: Recognized for cultivating diverse, high-performing marketing teams across regions and business units.
Education & Thought Leadership
- Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Communications – Boston University.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing – University of Connecticut.
- Academic Engagement:
- Lecturer and instructor on international marketing and business strategy at Boston College, Boston University, Georgetown University, and Trinity College.
Additional Personal and Professional Details
- Location: Based in Purchase, NY.
- International Experience: Returned to the US in late 2024 after significant global assignments, providing a robust understanding of international market dynamics.
- Personal Interests: Enthusiast of sports, music, and travel.
- Network: 500+ connections on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kirkham-59572).
Strategic Insights
Mark Kirkham’s dual focus on innovation-driven growth and international brand development uniquely positions him to lead PepsiCo beverages at a time of accelerating market disruption. His hands-on experience scaling global campaigns—combined with in-depth tenure at both PepsiCo and leading CPG organizations such as P&G—indicates a strong preference for data-driven marketing, agile campaign execution, and high-impact cross-border partnerships. His leadership signals continued investment in high-profile media initiatives, next-generation product development, and expanded partnerships that enhance consumer engagement and drive brand relevance across diverse North American and global audiences.
