Google has appointed Kanika Kalra as Director of Consumer Apps and Platforms Marketing, with the role based in Mumbai. In her new position, Kalra will oversee marketing strategy for Google’s consumer applications and platforms portfolio, focusing on driving growth and strengthening engagement across key user-facing products in the region.

The development was shared through a LinkedIn post, where Kalra confirmed her new role and outlined her move to the global technology company’s consumer marketing function in India. The appointment places her in a significant leadership position within Google’s ecosystem of widely used apps and digital platforms.

Kalra brings with her a diverse professional background that spans technology, consulting and consumer goods. Before joining Google, she served as Regional Marketing Director – Health, South Asia at Reckitt, where she led marketing initiatives for the company’s health portfolio across the region. During her tenure, she worked on strengthening brand positioning and driving growth strategies for several products within the healthcare segment.

Earlier in her career, Kalra spent several years at McKinsey & Company, where she eventually rose to the role of Partner. At the global consulting firm, she advised organisations on business strategy, marketing transformation and growth initiatives across sectors, working closely with leadership teams on long-term brand and business strategy.

Her experience also includes leadership roles in India’s digital commerce ecosystem. At Snapdeal, Kalra served as Vice President – Marketing, where she was involved in strengthening the company’s brand presence and customer engagement strategies during a critical phase of growth for the e-commerce platform.

Prior to that, she worked with Unilever as Global Brand Director, handling international brand responsibilities. During this time, she was associated with global brand initiatives including work on the well-known Fair & Lovely portfolio, gaining experience in managing large-scale consumer brands across multiple markets.

With experience that cuts across global brand management, strategic consulting and digital platforms, Kalra now takes on a key leadership role within Google’s consumer marketing team in India. Her appointment reflects the company’s focus on strengthening marketing capabilities for its consumer apps and platforms as it continues to expand its footprint among Indian users.