PepsiCo's Formula for Building Enduring Brands with Mark Kirkham

What does it take to market some of the world's most iconic brands?

Recorded live during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Jim sits down with Mark Kirkham, Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo Beverages U.S., to explore how one of the world's largest marketers continues to reinvent brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Starbucks Ready-to-Drink, Lipton, and poppi in an era defined by AI, changing consumer behavior, and relentless innovation.

Mark oversees brand and marketing strategy across PepsiCo's $28 billion U.S. beverage portfolio. During more than 15 years with the company, he's held marketing leadership roles across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, helping shape global campaigns, expand iconic brands, and lead innovation around the world. Before PepsiCo, he built his foundation in research and analytics at Forrester and Nielsen before moving into brand management at Procter & Gamble.

The conversation also becomes a masterclass in leadership. From developing future CMOs to writing a weekly letter to his marketing team, Mark shares why trust, transparency, curiosity, and continuous learning are the foundations of building both great brands and great leaders.

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Meet The CMO Podcast On the Road

The CMO Podcast will be on the road throughout Q4 2026, capturing conversations with the leaders shaping the future of marketing, leadership, and business. If you'll be attending one of these events, we'd love to connect. Let us know!

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Whether you'd like to partner with us at one of the industry's biggest marketing events or create a custom experience designed specifically for your brand, we'd love to explore what's possible. Reach out to learn how we can build something together.

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Produced by vYve

The CMO Podcast is proudly produced by vYve Production, a full-service production and content studio specializing in podcasts, executive storytelling, branded content, and live experiences. 

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