NEW DELHI: Coca-cola India vice-president (marketing) Venkatesh Kini is relocating to the company’s head quarters in Atlanta as global head of

the beverage giant’s juice portfolio. ET has learnt that Mr Kini will be designated as global vice-president for juice marketing. He will be reporting to Coca-Cola general manager (global juice centre) Guy Wollaert.

The Indian company is expected to announce Mr Kini’s replacement shortly. The next marketing head is likely to be roped in from the company’s global resource pool. Mr Kini’s elevation comes at a time when the India division has posted 10 straight quarters of growth, with the company growing 28% by unit case volumes in the fourth quarter of 2008.

The Coca-Cola India spokesman confirmed the development. “This is another example of global careers being offered to executives within the Coca-Cola system. The company worldwide is recognised for its active policy on cross pollination of talent.”

Mr Kini spent around three years in India, which saw the India business unit achieve market leadership across beverages, including Thums Up and Sprite. He joined at a time when the pesticide controversy was still alive but managed to drive the turnaround in the segment. Under him, the company implemented the ‘little drops of joy’ campaign and the IPL T20 exclusive sponsorship deal on Sony Entertainment last year. In addition, he was involved with the company’s campus programmes.

Mr Kini had moved to India from Coca-Cola North America as vice-president of Sprite and flavours, in August 2006. He has been associated with the company since March 1998.