Piyush Pandey, father of advertising in India, passes away
Piyush Pandey, who gave his unique identity to the Indian advertising world, passed away at the age of 70. Known for his intelligence, warmth and unmatched creativity, Pandey reshaped the industry by infusing storytelling with style, language and local flavour. In his four-decade journey with Ogilvy India, he has helped Indian brands connect with the masses through authentic and relatable narratives. Born in Jaipur in 1955, Pandey joined Ogilvy in 1982 after stints in cricket, manufacturing and tea testing. His rise at the agency was remarkable – he eventually became Executive Chairman and Global Chief Creative Officer in India. His ability to convey the spirit of India through simple, powerful messages made him a household name and earned him global recognition. Let us also tell you how much wealth he has left behind.
Pandey's creative talent made advertisements a part of everyday culture. His work for Cadbury's 'Kuch Khaas Hai', Fevicol's 'Mazaboot Jod' and Asian Paints' 'Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai' crossed the boundaries of marketing and became emotional icons of Indian life. Through such campaigns, they replaced the elite English tone of the early ads with the warmth, humor and local rhythms of real India. People who worked with him often said that Pandey not only taught India to make better advertising – he also taught it to tell its own stories.
Although Pandey is not known for flaunting his wealth, his long and illustrious career has brought him both respect and success. His estimated net worth in 2025 is around 19 million US dollars (about Rs 160 crore). Although this figure is an estimate, it reflects the reputation he has earned over four decades of creative leadership. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 2016 and the LIA Legend Award in 2024 for his contribution to global aid. Despite having a huge personality, Pandey remained down to earth. He often compared advertising to a team sport, once saying that Brian Lara couldn't win for West Indies alone – so who am I?' His passing marks the end of an era, but his stories, campaigns and guidance will continue to guide India's creative industry for generations.
