Sujata Gowda Appointed Group General Manager Marketing & Communications at MRG Group — Strengthening Cross-Industry Brand Strategy

A strategic leadership move aimed at sharpening brand positioning and communication frameworks, MRG Group has appointed Sujata Gowda as Group General Manager – Marketing & Communications. Based in Bengaluru, the appointment comes at a time when the group is advancing its expansion roadmap and looking to consolidate its presence across hospitality and allied verticals.

With nearly two decades of experience spanning airlines, hospitality, real estate, and media, Gowda’s onboarding signals a focused push towards integrated brand storytelling and multi-channel growth for the group.

Career Foundation

Gowda’s professional journey has been shaped across multiple sectors, beginning in the aviation space with Sahara Airlines and later Kingfisher Airlines, where early exposure to customer-centric communication strategies and service branding laid the groundwork for her marketing approach.

Her transition into hospitality saw her contribute to global and domestic hotel brands including Taj Hotels, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott International, where she was closely associated with marketing functions during key operational phases. Her involvement in pre-opening environments across cities such as Mumbai and Hyderabad offered hands-on experience in launching properties, building brand identity from inception, and aligning communication strategies with market positioning.

Over time, she developed a hybrid understanding of operational marketing, combining on-ground execution with long-term brand development.

Most Recent Role and Key Achievements

Before joining MRG Group, Gowda was associated with Times Internet Limited as Regional Head – Brand & Partnership. In this role, she worked on strategic collaborations tied to a flagship co-branded card initiative in partnership with ICICI Bank, managing alliances that required coordination across digital platforms, financial services, and consumer engagement ecosystems.

Her responsibilities extended beyond conventional brand functions, involving stakeholder alignment, partnership-driven growth models, and campaign execution across high-visibility platforms. This role further strengthened her ability to navigate cross-industry integrations and large-scale brand initiatives.

Education and Professional Competencies

While formal academic details are not publicly disclosed, Gowda’s career reflects strong grounding in integrated marketing practices. Her competencies span sales strategy, brand architecture, media planning, corporate communication, and digital interface management. Her ability to work across print, broadcast, and online media ecosystems has consistently supported brand visibility and engagement outcomes.

Scope of New Role

At MRG Group, Gowda will lead group-wide marketing and communication functions, overseeing brand development, media strategy, partnerships, and internal alignment across business verticals. Her role will be central to shaping the group’s narrative as it scales operations and enters new markets.

Given the competitive hospitality landscape, particularly in growth hubs like Bengaluru, this appointment reflects a strategic emphasis on unified branding and stronger stakeholder communication. It also indicates the group’s intent to integrate marketing leadership more closely with expansion planning and business development.

Commenting on her new role, Sujata Gowda said, “A new fresh start is always nerve-recking and exciting at the same time. Marketing & communication in today’s day and age is a pivotal role. I couldn’t have joined MRG Group at a better time as this is going to be the year of expansion, dynamic changes and accelerated growth. Extremely excited to collate my 19 years of expertise with fostering collaborations with existing teams as the best time for new beginning is NOW.”

The appointment underscores MRG Group’s focus on strengthening its brand-led growth strategy as it navigates its next phase of expansion.