Advertising icon and industry legend Piyush Pandey, who transformed Indian advertising with his earthy charm and cultural storytelling, passed away at 70. As Chief Creative Officer Worldwide and Executive Chairman India at Ogilvy, Pandey was hailed as the architect of modern Indian advertising. The agency confirmed he died after battling an infection that had turned critical.
Born in Jaipur in 1955, Pandey’s four-decade journey began at Ogilvy in 1982 after stints as a cricketer and tea taster. His creative genius turned Indian advertising into a voice rooted in emotion and everyday life, with iconic campaigns such as Fevicol’s “Jodo Nahi, Todo”, Cadbury Dairy Milk’s “Kuch Khaas Hai”, Asian Paints’ “Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai”, and Vodafone’s ZooZoos.
Pandey also shaped political communication with “Abki Baar Modi Sarkar” and social initiatives like the Polio Abhiyaan featuring Amitabh Bachchan.
A recipient of the Padma Shri (2016) and LIA Legend Award (2024), Pandey was remembered by peers and leaders for his warmth, wit, and cultural authenticity. Tributes poured in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Piyush Goyal, and creative colleagues, marking the end of an era defined by his unparalleled storytelling legacy.
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