Somasree Bose Awasthi is the Chief Marketing Officer at Marico India, a company operating in the beauty and wellness space. With a long history of working with homegrown Indian companies in the FMCG sector, Awasthi’s career path differs from many senior marketers in India who typically start at multinationals like Unilever or P&G. She began her career with a summer internship at Cavin Kare and later moved to Godrej, where she spent 16 years and held various roles, including Chief Marketing Officer.
During her tenure at Godrej, Awasthi built the air care category with the launch of Godrej Aer and grew brands like pesticide Hit. She also initiated the direct-to-consumer channel at the company. At Marico, Awasthi has made a significant impact, particularly with the healthcare brand Saffola. She created a campaign called “Step Up For Your Heart” that featured a relatable celebrity, Ronit Roy, and an AI-powered app that allowed consumers to have conversations with the actor while exercising. The campaign was highly successful, with over 2.5 million registrations in 35 days.
Awasthi has also been selective in her use of influencers, avoiding the trap of being overly reliant on them. Instead, she has used them to tap into the equity of health experts and created campaigns that highlight product superiority. For example, Marico’s “Hair & Care” brand campaign is a tongue-in-cheek riff on influencers and their sometimes impractical solutions. The company’s marketing initiatives have contributed to a 19.8% increase in revenue in Q4 2025.
In addition to her marketing achievements, Awasthi is a champion of gender equity at the workplace. She has consistently worked to address the bias in hiring and promotions and has implemented initiatives to support women in senior roles. At Marico, she has launched the Neo Mama Network, which supports new mothers in the workplace. The company’s brand communication also reflects this commitment, with campaigns like #ExpressWithPride for Livon and #UnStereotype for Nihar Naturals. Overall, Awasthi’s approach to marketing and her commitment to gender equity have made her a notable figure in the industry.