foodpanda MY's new verticals marketing lead Vanita Menon Kris joins Rapp

Vanita Menon Kris, the former head of marketing, new verticals at foodpanda Malaysia, has joined Rapp as integrated campaign lead, overseas experience centre. Kris (pictured) will be responsible for driving and managing the activation and delivery of integrated campaigns for Mercedes-Benz across multiple channels and multiple overseas markets.

She will also work hand in hand with 16 local markets to ensure adoption and enable integrated project steering across all phases of campaigns, and understand the operations to pave way for successful campaigns. She reports to Rapp's chief business officer. 

Kris was with foodpanda for two years and prior to that, was with Kraken Interactive for close to five years, last helming the role of GM. She was also with BULB Communique, Humanics, TBWA-ISC Malaysia, Y&R, and BBDO, among other companies, according to her LinkedIn.

"Having been in brand agencies for most of my career, my most recent role gave me a good foundation on branding and marketing from an in-house point. From here I have uncovered that my greatest strength is not just in branding and marketing strategy but also in people and project management," she told A+M.

According to her, this new role gives her the opportunity to use her strengths on a higher level, weaving and maximising her compounded experience to date. "Beyond just driving campaigns, I will be able to apply my business acumen to ensure our campaigns create an impact on the business across omni-channels," she added. Meanwhile, it is understood that foodpanda has yet to name her replacement.

Rapp is part of Omnicom Group which is currently managing global marketing communications duties for Mercedes-Benz. A bespoke team named Team X is tasked mainly with the further development of digital and data-based media, as well as brand and performance marketing activities. The team also has a cross-divisional responsibility for a large number of Mercedes-Benz business units in more than 40 markets worldwide. A long-term partnership is planned.

Prior to the consolidation, Omnicom handled global media duties while Publicis was in charge of creative, brand and product content. It was first appointed in 2018 and created a new agency known as Publicis Emil thereafter to meet the needs of the brand.

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