McDonald’s India (West & South) has appointed Mehak Jani as its new Head of Marketing, strengthening its leadership team as the quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand continues to enhance customer engagement and drive brand growth in one of its key markets.
Jani joins McDonald’s from Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL), where she most recently served as Global Brand Equity Lead – Personal Care & Global Effectiveness. Her appointment brings extensive experience in brand strategy, consumer insights, and integrated marketing across the FMCG and advertising sectors.
Experienced Marketing Leader Joins McDonald’s
Before joining McDonald’s, Jani played a key role in shaping global brand strategy at GCPL, where she led initiatives focused on strengthening brand equity and marketing effectiveness across the company’s personal care portfolio.
She also managed global brand equity for GCPL’s Hair & Air business, contributing to brand development and consumer-focused marketing strategies across international markets.
Her experience spans both corporate leadership and agency strategy, providing a strong foundation for leading marketing initiatives at one of the world’s most recognised restaurant brands.
Over 15 Years in Brand Strategy and Advertising
Prior to moving into the FMCG industry, Jani spent more than 15 years at DDB Mudra Group, where she held several senior strategy leadership positions.
Her previous roles included:
- National Strategy Head at 22feet Tribal Worldwide
- Vice President – Strategy at DDB Mudra Group
During her agency career, she worked with several prominent consumer brands, including:
- McDonald’s
- Lipton
- Future Group
- Disney+ Hotstar
- Femina
- Godrej
- Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
Earlier in her career, she also completed a management internship with L’Oréal, gaining early exposure to brand management and marketing.
Learning the Business from the Ground Up
Announcing her new role on LinkedIn, Jani revealed that she spent her first two weeks at McDonald’s working alongside restaurant teams to better understand day-to-day operations.
Her onboarding included preparing burgers, serving customers, packing orders, and supporting delivery operations—an approach designed to build a deeper understanding of the brand experience before leading its marketing strategy.
Reflecting on the experience, she wrote:
“Before you’re trusted to tell the story of an iconic brand, you must first understand what makes the story possible in the first place.”
She also described joining McDonald’s as an opportunity to contribute to a globally recognised brand that continues to remain relevant across generations.
“Joining McDonald’s is an opportunity to contribute to one of those rare brands that’s taught in business schools, admired in boardrooms, loved by generations, and somehow still manages to be part of everyday life.”
Marketing Leadership in a Competitive QSR Market
The appointment comes as India’s quick-service restaurant industry continues to evolve, driven by changing consumer preferences, digital ordering platforms, delivery services, and value-focused offerings.
For leading QSR brands, marketing plays a critical role in strengthening customer loyalty, enhancing digital engagement, and building differentiated brand experiences across multiple consumer touchpoints.
Jani’s experience in consumer marketing, strategic planning, and brand building is expected to support McDonald’s India (West & South) as it continues to expand its presence and deepen customer connections.
Looking Ahead
With Mehak Jani joining its leadership team, McDonald’s India (West & South) is reinforcing its focus on strategic brand development and customer-centric marketing.
Her blend of experience across global consumer brands, advertising strategy, and business leadership positions her to help shape the next phase of growth for one of India’s leading quick-service restaurant brands.
