The former senior VP for mobile & digital at Walmart has joined PepsiCo as the company looks to raise its digital focus.

A spokesperson for PepsiCo confirmed to just-drinks today that Gibu Thomas has moved across from Walmart. The spokesperson declined to give details on Thomas' new job title, however, or whether the role is an existing one or has been newly created.

Having joined Walmart in 2010, Thomas moved to his current position in May, 2011, where he was the global head of mobile and digital across stores and online for the retailer.

In its annual report for 2014, PepsiCo's CEO, Indra Nooyi highlighted the group's intention to invest in its digital capabilities. “Social media and mobile technology are disrupting old ways of doing business,” Nooyi wrote. “They are also creating new opportunities for manufacturers, retailers, shoppers and consumers to interact.

“A growing percentage of our advertising and marketing spend is now dedicated to digital platforms as consumers dramatically change the way they engage with media. We are committed to shaping how this new ecosystem of digital, mobile, customer and consumer converges in the world of e-commerce. To that end, we are building new global e-commerce capabilities to accelerate our trajectory across this fast-growing channel.”

Research published by just-drinks this week has claimed that social media marketing has entered a third age, which is characterised by a fight by brands for relevance and resonance

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