Remembering Piyush Pandey: The Ad Maestro Who Redefined Indian Advertising

Celebrated lyricist and Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Prasoon Joshi, expressed profound sorrow over the death of advertising legend Piyush Pandey. In a heartfelt video, Joshi recounted how Pandey introduced him to the realm of advertising. "I am deeply saddened to hear that Piyush Pandey Ji is no longer among us. I miss him immensely and will continue to do so," Joshi said.

Seventy-year-old Pandey passed away on Friday following prolonged pneumonia, leaving the advertising world in mourning for one of its most iconic voices. Joshi credited the late Pandey with guiding him into the advertising field when he transitioned from smaller cities to the bustling metropolises of Delhi and Mumbai. "Piyush ji helped me understand the potential of advertising as a career and taught me that this field values rootedness and linguistic skills," Joshi reflected.

Pandey began his illustrious career at Ogilvy & Mather India in 1982, starting as a trainee before moving into a creative role - a transition that eventually reshaped Indian advertising. He masterminded celebrated campaigns for brands like Asian Paints, Cadbury, and Fevicol. In 2004, Pandey made history as the first Asian to preside over the jury at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. His incredible contributions earned him the CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and the Padma Shri in 2016—the first Indian advertising professional to receive such honors.