Piyush Pandey: The Creative Genius Behind India's Most Iconic Advertising Campaigns Dies at 70

Piyush Pandey, the renowned advertising legend, passed away on Friday at the age of 70. He had been battling an infection prior to his death. His final rites are scheduled for Saturday.

Serving as the Chief Creative Officer Worldwide and Executive Chairman India of Ogilvy, Pandey had established himself as a towering figure in the advertising industry over nearly four decades. His illustrious career began in 1982 when he joined Ogilvy and crafted his first advertisement for Sunlight Detergent.

Throughout his career, Pandey created numerous iconic campaigns that resonated deeply with Indian audiences. His creative genius was behind memorable advertisements for brands such as Fevicol, Cadbury, Asian Paints, Luna Moped, and Fortune Oil. Under his visionary leadership, Ogilvy India maintained its position as the top-ranked agency for 12 consecutive years in the Agency Reckoner, an independent survey conducted by The Economic Times.

His exceptional contributions to the field earned him several accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2016. Beyond advertising, Pandey expanded his creative horizons by making an acting debut in the 2013 film "Madras Cafe" starring John Abraham, and appearing in Magic Pencil Project Videos for ICICI Bank's marketing campaign.

Pandey's impact extended to national cultural initiatives as the lyricist of "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara," the iconic song promoting national integration and unity in diversity. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the film "Bhopal Express," further demonstrating his versatility as a creative professional.

Following the news of his passing, tributes poured in from prominent figures across business, advertising, and politics. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed her condolences on social media platform X, describing him as "a titan and legend of Indian advertising" who "transformed communication by bringing everyday idioms, earthy humor, and genuine warmth into it." She added, "His legacy will continue to inspire generations."

Uday Kotak, Founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, recalled how Pandey had launched the bank with a campaign in 2003 that described banking as "common sense." Kotak praised him as an "amazing out of the box thinker and a humble person" who "weaved creativity with an Indian context."

Author-columnist Suhel Seth referred to Pandey as his "dearest friend" and remarked that "India has not lost just a great advertising mind but a true patriot and a fine gentleman," adding that "now the heavens will dance to Mile Sur Mera Tumhara."