Manish Guptaa takes charge as chief marketing officer of Pizza Hut India, ETBrandEquity

Manish GuptaaPizza Hut, a division of US-based Yum! Brands, has announced the appointment of Manish Guptaa as the new chief marketing officer for Pizza Hut India. In this role, Guptaa will oversee all aspects of marketing and branding, with a mandate to strengthen Pizza Hut’s positioning and relevance in India’s evolving food landscape. In the interim, Guptaa will also continue to lead the digital and technology mandate until a new leader is announced.

With a clear vision to make Pizza Hut more accessible and appealing to a younger, wider audience, Guptaa will drive initiatives anchored in a back-to-core strategy – delivering great value, launching craveable innovations, and creating distinctive campaigns that resonate with modern consumers. Beyond this, he will be central to sharpening Pizza Hut’s brand positioning in Indi – strengthening its cultural relevance, deepening everyday connect with younger audiences, and steering the brand’s transformation for the next phase of growth.

Speaking on the appointment, Rohan Pewekar, managing director, Pizza Hut Indian Subcontinent, said, “Manish has been a driving force behind some of our most impactful digital innovations and campaigns in recent years. His deep understanding of consumer behavior, combined with his strategic and tech-forward mindset, makes him the ideal leader to steer our marketing strategy into its next phase of growth. We are excited to see him take on the role of CMO and further strengthen Pizza Hut’s position as the brand of choice for today’s consumers.”

Guptaa, who has been with Pizza Hut since 2019, spearheaded tech-led innovations as chief digital and technology officer – building a robust performance marketing engine, scaling digital commerce and embedding data-driven decision-making at the core of brand strategy. His leadership has been instrumental in reshaping Pizza Hut’s digital and consumer engagement playbook.

Commenting on his new role, Guptaa said, “At the heart of our brand is craveability – the irresistible appeal that keeps consumers coming back for more. My focus will be to build on this by delivering our iconic and craveable pizza, bold flavors, and unforgettable brand experiences that spark joy and desire. As we move forward, we will strengthen Pizza Hut as a modern, digital-first brand that connects deeply with consumers through data-driven storytelling and agile marketing strategies.”

With over 20 years of experience across QSR, auto, and consumer technology industries, Guptaa brings a unique blend of strategic vision, leadership expertise, and consumer insight. This equips him to guide Pizza Hut’s marketing and brand positioning in India, ensuring the brand remains relevant, engaging, and future-ready in a dynamic market.

Outside of work, he is passionate about mentoring young talent and sharing insights through teaching and speaker forums – ways he stays curious, keeps learning and grows alongside the next generation.

• Published On Sep 15, 2025 at 01:26 PM IST

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