Jim Wilkinson joins PepsiCo as Executive Vice President, Communications

PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP) today announced that Jim Wilkinson will join the company as executive vice president, Communications.

Wilkinson, who will report to PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra K. Nooyi, will lead the company’s global communications team and will work across the company to enhance and promote PepsiCo.

Wilkinson joins PepsiCo from Brunswick Group LLC, where he has served as Managing Partner since 2009, providing strategic counsel on global corporate mandates spanning international, corporate and financial communications, corporate reputation, investor relations, crisis management and litigation. Prior to Brunswick Group, Wilkinson served as Chief of Staff for U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, serving as Paulson’s senior strategist and counselor, and working on matters of financial policy and crisis management.

“Jim is a focused and proven leader with unique expertise and experience in international, corporate and financial strategic communications,” said Nooyi. “Jim has worked at the highest levels of corporations and other institutions managing complex global communications initiatives and building effective international teams. His experience and management skills will serve PepsiCo well.”

Prior to his work for Treasury, Wilkinson served as Senior Advisor to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and in The White House as Deputy National Security Advisor for Communications with Rice. From 2002-2003, Wilkinson was Director of Strategic Communications for General Tommy R. Franks at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and from 2000-2001 served in The White House as Deputy Director of Communications. Wilkinson has extensive experience working with the U.S. Congress, and has served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He has also taught communications and international relations at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the JHU graduate school of government. He received his undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington, and his Master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University.