Rohan Oza is a prominent American businessman, investor, and marketing expert, born on October 2, 1971, in Livingstone, Zambia. He is known for his work with several major consumer brands, including Vita Coco, Bai Brands, and Vitaminwater. Oza gained significant recognition as a recurring guest on the reality TV show Shark Tank, where he showcased his expertise in marketing and brand development
Rohan Oza | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 2, 1971 |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham University of Michigan |
| Occupation(s) | Former Chief Marketing Officer at The Coca-Cola Company Founder at Idea Merchants Capital Investor |
Early life
Oza was born in Zambia in an ethnic Indian family.[1] He studied at Harrow School.[2]
Oza went on to study manufacturing and industrial engineering at Nottingham University.[1] He pivoted to marketing and corporate strategy while at the University of Michigan, where he received his MBA.[1]
Career
Oza began his career in the town of Slough as the manufacturing manager behind Mars' M&M's.[2]
Oza got his start in marketing by advertising Snickers for Mars, Incorporated in Europe. He later was hired as a marketing manager for The Coca-Cola Company.[1]
He has been credited for revitalizing the Sprite brand by signing Kobe Bryant as a spokesperson.[1] Oza also worked with Andy Roddick, Michael Vick, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Jennifer Aniston, Gal Gadot, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Rihanna and Madonna as celebrity endorsements.[1][3]
He left Coca-Cola in 2002 to join Glacéau, most famous for their Vitaminwater brand.[1] In 2007, Coca-Cola purchased Glacéau in an acquisition for $4.2 billion, expanding the company's non-carbonated portfolio.[4] Rohan was appointed Chief Marketing Officer of Coke's still brands, where he stayed until 2009.[1]
As an investor, Oza made an early bet alongside Justin Timberlake on Bai Brands and helped persuade the Dr Pepper Snapple Group to buy the company for $1.7 billion. Additionally, he has backed Smartwater, Bulletproof Coffee and Health-Ade Kombucha.[3][5]
Oza has also been a recurring guest “shark” for ABC’s Shark Tank. He serves as an advisor to Impact Network, a non-profit organization bringing quality education to rural Zambians.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h White, Ronald D. (2015-09-13). "How I Made It: Entrepreneur Rohan Oza focuses on 'better for you' products". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
- ^ a b Brinded, Lianna (November 6, 2015). "Meet the millionaire 'brand messiah' who went from working in a factory to having 50 Cent and Rihanna on speed dial". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
- ^ a b Benner, Katie (6 January 2017). "He'd Like to Buy the World Something Other Than a Coke". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
- ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross; Martin, Andrew (2007-05-26). "Coca-Cola Agrees to Buy Vitaminwater". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
- ^ "Kombucha Maker Health-Ade Raises $7 Million". Fortune. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
- ^ "Rohan Oza Joins Impact Network as Special Advisor" (Press release). 28 November 2018.