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Michael Smith
Vice President of Flavored CSD Marketing - Starry, bubly, Mug | Beverage Industry Leader | Expertise in Brand Management | Formerly Gatorade, Pepsi, LIFEWTR
Michael Smith is a seasoned marketing professional currently serving as the Vice President of Flavored CSD (Carbonated Soft Drink) Marketing at PepsiCo.15 In this role, he leads the marketing efforts for several major brands, including STARRY, bubly, and Mug.1
Career Highlights
Current Position:: Michael is the Head of Brand Marketing for Starry, a new lemon-lime soda from PepsiCo.2 He joined this role in December 2022 and is responsible for developing brand positioning, strategy, and overseeing all marketing activities to build the brand and drive business growth.2
Previous Roles at PepsiCo::
- Head of Marketing Capabilities and Chief of Staff (May 2022 - February 2023)
- Sr. Director Marketing Communication and Commercial Marketing for PepsiCo Water+ Portfolio (September 2019 - September 2021)
- Sr. Director: Marketing Communication for Pepsi TM (September 2018 - September 2019)
- Various roles at Gatorade, including Head of Digital Strategy and Marketing Director (2013 - 2018)2
Other Experience:: Before his current role at PepsiCo, Michael briefly served as the Chief Marketing Officer at The Lemon Perfect Company from September 2021 to March 2022.2
Achievements and Expertise
Michael has played a crucial role in developing and implementing marketing strategies for various brands within PepsiCo. His expertise spans across traditional marketing campaigns, digital marketing, e-commerce, sports technology partnerships, and product innovation.2
Under his leadership, Starry has seen significant success, exceeding $500,000 in sales and achieving a 5.3% share of the lemon-lime soda market in its first year.6
Education and Background
Michael holds an MBA in Marketing and a BA in Psychology.4 Before joining PepsiCo, he worked on the agency side in media, which he credits for preparing him to manage multiple brands and businesses simultaneously.1
Michael Smith is known for his visionary approach to marketing, particularly in leveraging influencer marketing and staying culturally relevant to connect with consumers.1 His experience across both large corporations and startups has shaped his leadership style, emphasizing the importance of clear vision, stakeholder alignment, and empowering team members.3
Highlights
