India, Oct 25 : India mourns the loss of advertising icon Piyush Pandey, who passed away on Friday morning at the age of 70. Renowned for his unique blend of emotion, humour, and local flavour, Pandey’s creative vision left an indelible mark on the advertising industry and beyond.
Shortly after the news broke, Indian dairy giant Amul paid tribute through its signature topical on Instagram, featuring the line “Inka sur sabse mila” with the caption: “Amul Topical: Tribute to one of India’s advertising legends!” The post drew an outpouring of admiration online, with fans calling him a “marketing maestro,” “India’s greatest ad-man,” and the “captain behind the captions.”
Born in Jaipur in 1955, Pandey joined Ogilvy & Mather India in 1982 as a client servicing executive. Over four decades, he rose to Executive Chairman and Creative Director, creating some of India’s most iconic campaigns. He revolutionized Indian advertising by championing Hindi and regional languages, ensuring that campaigns resonated deeply with local audiences.
Pandey’s legendary campaigns include Asian Paints’ “Har Khushi Mein Rang Laaye,” Cadbury Dairy Milk’s “Kuch Khaas Hai,” Fevicol’s “Egg” ad, and Hutch’s “You and I” pug commercial, all of which remain etched in India’s collective memory. His work not only entertained but also connected with everyday life, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire generations of marketers.