Mars International India names Raghav Rekhi as marketing director, chocolate business

Mars International India has named Raghav Rekhi as marketing director for its chocolate business in the country. Rekhi has been associated with Mars International for the past 14 years and has served in several marketing and sales roles for the choclate brand.

In his new role, Rekhi will develop and implement marketing strategies for the brand to achieve the company's growth and promotional objectives. He will also work to establish the Mars brand as a global and local market leader.

Rekhi is of Indian decent and returns to India after having spent more than 20 years across the globe.

M V Natarajan, general manager, chocolate business, Mars International India, says, "I'm confident that his experience in sales and marketing will help in driving our chocolate business forward in the country."

Rekhi began his career with Mars in 1999 as a financial planner for the West Asia region. In two years he was promoted to handle the sales function for the UK business of Mars and then as channel sales manager for the West Asia region. In 2004, he was given the mandate of trade marketing and by 2006, he was brand manager for the snack food category at the company. He took over as regional head of marketing, West Asia, Turkey and Africa, in 2009.

Mars International India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mars Inc. USA, a family owned company generating annual revenues of over $30 billion. Mars International was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, USA.

The company employs more than 70,000 associates and has presence in over 79 countries worldwide, operating in six segments that produce some of the world's leading brands like Snickers, Dove, Mars, Orbit and Extra.

Mars India operates in two categories, a pet care manufacturing and marketing business; and a chocolate import and marketing operation. The company manufactures pet food under its global brands, Pedigree and Whiskas.