ARIJIT SENGUPTA JOINS MARS TO LEAD SNACKING AND KELLANOVA MARKETING

Arijit Sengupta, former CMO of Zydus Wellness, is set to join Mars in a senior marketing leadership role, overseeing its Snacking and Kellanova businesses. His appointment comes as Mars integrates Kellanova’s portfolio, signalling a push to strengthen brand building and accelerate growth across its expanding global snacking portfolio.  

Arijit Sengupta, widely known in industry circles as Ori, is preparing to take on a new chapter in his career with Mars, where he will lead marketing for the company’s Snacking and Kellanova businesses. The move, confirmed by industry sources, marks a significant leadership addition as Mars continues to consolidate its position in the global snacking market following its acquisition of Kellanova.  

Sengupta’s appointment is seen as a strategic step for Mars, which has been steadily expanding its snacking portfolio worldwide. With Kellanova’s integration underway, the company is looking to strengthen its brand-building efforts and accelerate growth across categories that span indulgence, nutrition and convenience. Bringing in a seasoned marketing leader with deep experience in consumer and FMCG sectors reflects Mars’s intent to sharpen its competitive edge in an increasingly crowded marketplace.  

Sengupta’s career trajectory has been defined by his ability to navigate complex consumer landscapes and deliver growth through brand innovation. At Zydus Wellness, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s consumer engagement strategies and driving portfolio expansion in India’s fast-evolving wellness and nutrition sector. His expertise in building brands that resonate with diverse consumer bases is expected to be particularly relevant as Mars seeks to deepen its presence in emerging markets, including India, while reinforcing its global ambitions.  

The integration of Kellanova into Mars’s operations has created one of the most diverse snacking portfolios in the industry, spanning cereals, salty snacks, confectionery and wellness products. For Mars, the challenge lies not only in managing this breadth but also in ensuring that each brand under its umbrella maintains distinctiveness while contributing to the company’s overall growth narrative. Sengupta’s appointment signals a recognition of the need for strong, market-savvy leadership to orchestrate this balance.  

Industry observers note that Mars’s decision to bring in an India-market leader underscores the growing importance of the region in shaping global snacking trends. India’s consumer base, with its appetite for both traditional and modern snacking formats, offers fertile ground for innovation and brand building. Sengupta’s familiarity with this landscape could provide Mars with valuable insights as it seeks to align global strategies with local consumer preferences.  

As Mars continues to integrate Kellanova and expand its snacking footprint, Sengupta’s leadership will be closely watched. His ability to blend global brand vision with local market realities may prove crucial in steering Mars through its next phase of growth. For a company intent on reinforcing its position as a powerhouse in the snacking industry, his arrival represents both continuity and fresh momentum.