Mumbai | April 10, 2026 — Global snacking giant Mondelez International has announced the appointment of Ankit Desai as its new Senior Director of Marketing. In this high-stakes role, Desai will lead the marketing strategy and P&L for the company’s massive $1 billion-plus India chocolates and tablets business.
His portfolio now includes some of the most recognizable household names in India, such as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Silk, Bournville, Crispello, and Nutties.
A Veteran of the Confectionery Industry
Desai transitions to Mondelez after a successful nearly seven-year tenure at The Hershey Company, where he held multiple leadership positions across India and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. His previous experience is marked by a strong focus on scaling food brands and driving cross-border growth.
Key highlights of his career include:
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The Hershey Company: Most recently served as General Manager for APAC (Singapore), overseeing key markets including China, Australia, and New Zealand. He also previously served as CMO for Hershey India (2021–2024).
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Kellogg Company: Led category development for the muesli and hot cereals portfolio in India.
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Perfetti Van Melle: Built a deep foundation in sales, trade marketing, and brand management during the early stages of his career.
Strategic Mandate at Mondelez
As Mondelez continues to dominate the Indian chocolate landscape, Desai’s role will be pivotal in maintaining brand equity while navigating evolving consumer preferences. His expertise in product innovation—honed through his time on Hershey’s Global Innovations Council—is expected to drive the next wave of growth for Mondelez’s premium and mainstream chocolate segments.
The industry views this move as a significant talent acquisition for Mondelez, bringing in a leader with a proven track record of managing large-scale portfolios and complex, multi-market operations.
