For many Indians, Campa Cola evokes memories of 1970s family gatherings or colorful billboards featuring young Salman Khan. The brand once enjoyed a golden age, only to fade after global giants entered the scene. Today, it’s back—and consumers are asking: who is the Campa Cola owner now? Is it still a nostalgic relic, or is there a formidable corporate force behind its revival? Let’s dive into the brand’s journey, its current ownership, and how that shapes its growth.
Origins: From Pure Drinks Group to National Icon
In 1977, Delhi-based Pure Drinks Group, spearheaded by Mohan Singh, launched Campa Cola amid Coca‑Cola’s exit from India. Positioned as “The Great Indian Taste,” Campa Cola expanded into flavors like orange and lemon, establishing a robust distribution network throughout India.
For nearly 15 years, Campa Cola commanded a strong market share—competing alongside Thums Up and Parle’s Gold Spot. Its success was driven by affordable pricing, localized flavors, and memorable ad campaigns featuring Bollywood celebrities like Salman Khan and Ayesha Shroff.
Decline: Liberalisation and the Exit of an Icon
The 1991 opening of the Indian economy invited Coca‑Cola and PepsiCo back into the market. These MNCs brought sophisticated marketing, aggressive pricing, and cold-chain distribution, overshadowing domestic players. Campa Cola couldn’t compete and shut most operations by 2001, shrinking to minimal output by 2009.
| Insight Area | Summary |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), under Reliance Industries |
| Founding | Pure Drinks Group (Mohan Singh), 1977 legacy brand |
| Revival Cost | Acquisition cost ~₹22 crore (2022) |
| Investment | ₹6,000–8,000 crore into beverages (2025–2026) |
| Distribution | Reliance retail, JioMart, kiranas (20 lakh+), UAE via Agthia |
| Marketing | Nostalgia + new packaging; Salman Khan ambassador |
| Revenue | ₹400 cr from Campa; ₹3,000 cr overall RCPL sales in FY24 |
| Growth Targets | ₹1,000 cr revenue milestone; ~10% national CSD market share by 2030 |
Revival Phase: Acquired by Reliance Industries
In August 2022, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)—India’s retail and telecom giant led by Mukesh Ambani—acquired Campa Cola’s brand rights from Pure Drinks Group for a reported ₹22 crore. The acquisition was orchestrated through Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), part of Reliance Retail Ventures.
Reliance first relaunched Campa locally in March 2023, offering classic variants—cola, lemon, and orange—in select Indian markets. Soon after, it officially brought the brand back with modern packaging and nostalgic flair.
Who Is the True “Campa Cola Owner”?
The current Campa Cola owner is Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL)—a fully owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, through its retail arm, Reliance Retail Ventures.
Reliance Consumer aims to revive Indian heritage brands (like Sosyo and Lotus chocolates), using Reliance’s vast retail presence—18,000+ stores and millions of kiranas—to rapidly scale distribution. Their bold plan includes global expansion, with Campa debuting in the UAE in early 2025 through a partnership with UAE’s Agthia Group.
Ownership Background: From Mohan Singh to Mukesh Ambani
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Founder (1970s): Campa Cola was owned by Pure Drinks Group, led by industrialist Mohan Singh.
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Revival orchestrator (2022): Mukesh Ambani & Reliance Industries, via RCPL, revived the brand as part of a broader FMCG push.
Since 2022, Reliance Consumer, under leadership from Isha Ambani (board member) and COO Ketan Mody, has been scaling Campa through domestic rollout and early international marketing.
Business Vision & Strategic Moves by the Owner
Reliance’s leadership has implemented an integrated vision:
1. Heritage Meets Modernity
Revived nostalgic variants while infusing fresh elements—sleek PET bottles, QR-coded packaging, and contemporary design.
2. Distribution Power-Play
Campa is now stocked in Reliance Smart, Fresh stores, and on JioMart—with over 20 lakh kiranas engaged under Project RED.
3. Aggressive Investment
Reliance Consumer plans to invest ₹6,000–8,000 crore in expanding its beverage portfolio—including Campa—over 12–15 months.
4. Pricing Edge
Campa is deliberately priced lower—e.g., ₹10 for 200 ml, ₹20 for 500 ml—undercutting MNC rivals and incentivizing retailer adoption with margins around 8%.
Marketing Strategy: Nostalgia with Modern Flair
Reliance’s marketing blends memory with relevance:
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Nostalgic campaigns: Early ads resurrected the “Great Indian Taste” theme; Salman Khan became brand ambassador.
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Vibrant rebranding: The modern-look packaging with bold purple and red represents confidence targeted at a youth demographic.
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Multi-channel launch: Debut in UAE, including products like Campa Cola, Lemon, Orange, and Cola Zero.
Expansion Strategy: Domestic Strength & First Steps Abroad
Reliance’s plans include:
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India: Rollout across all regions via Reliance outlets, kiranas, JioMart, and Blinkit.
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International: UAE launch through Agthia; global expansion planned into Asia and Africa.
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Product innovation: Future lines include sugar-free variants, premium mixers, and seasonal flavors aimed at health-conscious and upscale markets.
Market Presence & Financial Indicators
Since relaunch, Campa Cola has demonstrated solid traction:
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₹400 crore revenue in FY24, contributing to RCPL’s ₹3,000 crore top line.
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1,000 crore revenue milestone achieved across associated brands in 18 months.
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Extensive reach: Available in 80% of Indian states, with franchises in north and northeast regions; bottling plant expansion underway.
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Sustained momentum: Continued expansion in packaging sizes and markets; ₹8,000 crore investment underscores strong growth confidence.
Campa Cola Owner’s Impact: Transformation Over Time
Reliance’s ownership has driven critical shifts in:
1. Brand Revival
From dormancy to renewed presence with powerful storytelling and fresh branding.
2. Distribution Reach
Removed barriers: integrated retail access + massive kirana network ensures saturation in urban and rural India.
3. Competitive Strategy
Offering value-driven pricing and retailer margins pressures Coke and Pepsi.
4. Market Disruption
Strategic FMCG investment indicates long-term intent, with global resets and ambitious domestic expansion.
Consumer Voices: Nostalgia Meets Present Reality
Reddit offers a glimpse into reception:
“Reliance has bought the rights to Campa and relaunched it” — confirming consumer awareness.
“Campa, Goldspot and Thums‑up are what soft drinks meant to 90s kids.” Nostalgia continues to fuel expectations.
Mixed reviews on taste; consumers note lighter formats and evolving recipes.
This snapshot shows favorable brand perception, with room to standardize recipe and broaden appeal.
🏁 Conclusion: The Revival of a National Brand
When asking “who is the Campa Cola owner?”, the journey is clear:
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Founded by Pure Drinks Group in the late 1970s.
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Declined post-liberalisation in the 1990s.
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Acquired by Reliance in 2022; now owned and steered by Reliance Consumer Products Ltd.
The owner’s impact is evident—modern branding, ₹8,000 crore investment, millisecond distribution reach, nostalgic yet fresh marketing, and taste that speaks to both legacy and innovation.
Under the Campa Cola owner—Reliance—the brand is well-positioned to recapture market share, challenge established players, and evolve into a modern soft drink icon. With global expansion underway and domestic dominance targeted, the campaign to bring Campa back is more than just nostalgia—it’s a calculated strike in the FMCG battlefield.
Final Thought
Campa Cola’s story reflects a full-circle journey—from national pride to global dormancy, and now a spectacular rebirth under Reliance. The Campa Cola owner isn’t a nostalgic wanderer—it’s a powerhouse conglomerate driving brand revival with clarity, resources, and ambition. The fizz is back, stronger than ever—because this time, the owner is building not just on memories, but momentum.
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