Remembering Piyush Pandey, Legendary Indian Ad Man

Pandey passed away on Friday at age 70

Piyush Pandey, often referred to as “The Godfather of Indian Advertising,” died on Friday at age 70. Pandey spent more than four decades at Ogilvy, rising to the position of global CCO and executive chairman for India.

The Economic Times named Pandey the most influential man in Indian advertising for eight straight years.

Pandey was the creative force on countless brands over the years, including Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, Fevicol, Perfetti, and Vodafone.

“In 2012, the Clios had the privilege of honoring Piyush Pandey with a Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Nicole Purcell, CEO of the Clio Awards, in a LinkedIn post. “That same year, he also served as a judge. In our discussions, Piyush had a way of reminding everyone on the jury why we fell in love with this industry in the first place: the power of ideas, the beauty of simplicity, the joy of connecting with people.”

“What stood out most was his warmth and humility. He believed deeply in creativity that speaks from the heart, and he inspired everyone around him to do the same. His influence will live on in the generations of creatives he inspired to tell stories rooted in their own culture and truth. There’s a reason they called him ‘The Godfather of Indian Advertising.'”

Ogilvy released a statement on Pandey’s passing: “Piyush didn’t just work at Ogilvy. He was Ogilvy. For decades, he poured his soul into Ogilvy India, shaping its spirit, raising its creative bar, and inspiring generations of talent… Piyush understood people. He spoke to them not through clever words, but through heart and humanity.”

“As he often said, ‘No campaign is worth its salt unless the people on the street love it…’ And while he created some of the most iconic campaigns in history, his proudest achievement wasn’t selling a product—it was saving lives. Piyush led the creative charge for the campaign to end polio in India with UNICEF, a mission that reached every corner of the country.”