PepsiCo has named Mark Kirkham as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of U.S. Beverages, effective April 7. Kirkham will oversee the marketing strategies for a portfolio of major brands, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Bubly, Starry, and Gatorade.
Kirkham succeeds Greg Lyons, who is departing PepsiCo after a long tenure to pursue an external opportunity. Lyons had served as CMO of PepsiCo’s U.S. Beverages unit since 2018, making a significant impact in an industry where C-suite roles often see high turnover.
A Seasoned Leader with Global Expertise
Kirkham, who has been with PepsiCo for over 14 years, was appointed Senior Vice President of Sparkling Beverages for PepsiCo North America in October 2024. The role marked his return to the U.S. after leading PepsiCo’s international beverage business, where he played a pivotal role in product innovation and brand expansion.
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Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S., praised Kirkham’s leadership, stating:
“Mark is a multi-disciplined marketer and creative storyteller with deep, global experience in the beverage business. He led the step-changed international approach to accelerating zero sugar and expanding our portfolio to address the needs of evolving consumers. In working with Mark over the years, I’ve been impressed by his imaginative approach to scalable problem solving; he is well-poised to take on this role and lead us into the next chapter of innovation and growth.”
Driving Innovation and Market Expansion
Kirkham has been instrumental in shaping Pepsi’s international branding strategies, including a widely acclaimed rebrand and a fresh take on the Pepsi Challenge campaign focused on zero-sugar offerings. His appointment signals a continued shift toward health-conscious beverage innovations, aligning with PepsiCo’s strategic vision.
Earlier this month, PepsiCo acquired prebiotic soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion, intensifying competition with rival Coca-Cola, which has also entered the emerging functional beverage market. Prebiotic sodas, which support gut health, are projected to reach $3.5 billion in market value by 2032, reflecting a growing consumer trend among Gen Z and millennials.
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