Perfetti elevates Sameer Suneja to global role; Ramesh Jayaraman named India MD

Sameer Suneja has been promoted to a global role at Italy-headquartered confectionery giant Perfetti Van Melle (PVM). He will move to Netherlands and take over as as executive vice president, innovation and business development.

Replacing him as MD of Perfetti Van Melle India will be Ramesh Jayaraman, who has been MD of PVM SriLanka and Bangladesh. The movement will happen at the end of July.

Suneja will now identify and develop projects in different markets related to new product ideas. His mandate also involves exchanging successful experiences in marketing and commercial fields across the group, according to an official statement from the company.

Suneja has been with Perfetti Van Melle for over 15 years, heading Indian operations in the last four. India became the first market for Perfetti Van Melle’s foray beyond confectionery under his leadership - into the snacks category.

Jayaraman, who takes over, has worked for Cadbury and Britannia in India, in the marketing function. He also had a brief stint with Ogilvy and Mather.

From early 1999, he has largely worked outside India, in assignments across China, France, Egypt, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Campaign India picks out some memorable work for Perfetti Van Melle India brands over the years (in no particular order). Fare well, Mr Suneja; we thank you for allowing some delightful entertainment that doubled up as advertising. And good luck, Mr Jayaraman; keep them coming!

Center fresh - Bank robbery

Client: Center fresh (Perfetti Van Melle)
Sameer Suneja, Rohit Kapoor, Sachin Wali
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Mumbai
Creative team: Abhijit Avasthi (national creative director), Anurag Agnihotri, Ashish Naik, Nasrullah Husami
Account management team: Antara Suri, Parul Madaan, Vaishali Agarwal
Production house: Corcoise Films

Happydent Palace

Agency McCann-Erickson
Advertiser Perfetti Van Melle
Brand Happy Dent Teeth Whitening Gum
Director Ram Madhwani
Art director Prasoon Joshi
Chief creative officer Prasoon Joshi
Copywriter Prasoon Joshi
Art director Anirban Sen
Production company Equinox

Mentos Evolution

Agency: Ogilvy & Mather
Client: Perfetti Van Melle India
Production house: Soda Films
Creative director: Jignesh Maniar
Film shoot: Frameworks Singapore
Characterisation: Rajesh Krishnan

Mentos - Classroom

Creative Director: Piyush Pandey/Abhijit Avasthi
Copywriter: Jignesh Maniar
Art director: Kapil Sawant
Agency producer: Vikram Bangera/Rajib Baruah
Director: Rajesh Krishnan
Producer: Apurba Sengupta
Lighting Cameraman: Tirru S