MUMBAI: Piyush Pandey the ad man – a lot has been written about his mastery in connecting through communication with the lay person on the street. Which is why most of the ads which he was involved in as a creative guide live with us till today. Fresh as the day they hot the screens.
His passing has left a deep impact on colleagues and industry folks the world over who have shared their grief and their admiration for the genius that he was and most of all for the great human that he was.
Liz Taylor, Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy
“A quiet Friday morning brought news that shattered our hearts: the legend, Piyush Pandey, has left us. The void he leaves is immense—a silence where once his booming laughter, humble mentorship, and profound humanity resonated.
To the world, Piyush was an icon, a creative giant, an advertising hero. To Ogilvy, he was our coach, our champion, our spiritual guide, our heart and soul. His passing is a loss that words cannot capture.
Yet even as we grieve, a profound sense of gratitude and purpose fills us. For Piyush, creativity was about connection—about making something that lived in people’s hearts. And that’s exactly what he did, time and again. His ideas shaped brands and culture. His kindness shaped people.
He taught us that living with generosity and creating with enormity leaves a legacy beyond measure. We will honor him in all that we do—not just in advertising, but in the way we live, lead, and care—striving always to act in the light of his values and to make him proud in every part of our lives.”
Joe Sciarrotta, Deputy Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy
“It’s hard to know where to begin. Personally, he was a brother to me. We spoke often. I spent time with his family, and he with mine—my mom would often ask after him. His is a loss I cannot fathom. But I also know that I’m not alone in that.
Piyush was a legend of our industry, and a national treasure in India. I was once on a tour bus in Goa with him and someone asked where we were from. Ogilvy, we said. They respond ‘Oh! Piyush Pandey is from Ogilvy. He’s very famous.’ To which I said, ‘Well, Piyush Pandey is standing right next to you.’ The man nearly had a heart attack from his awe and excitement. What many people don’t realize is that Piyush gave India its voice back, after having been so Westernized for so long. There was nothing he was more proud of than his country and his people. His greatest gift was that he treated ordinary people extraordinary, and extraordinary people ordinary. He saw, and celebrated, the humanity in it all. And that’s the impact he’s had on the next generation of creatives, and that will ripple for generations to come.”
Devika Bulchandani, Chief Operating Officer, WPP
“Piyush was not just the most important man in Indian advertising, he was the most important man in so, so, so many of our lives at Ogilvy. He may have left us but his work and his legacy will live forever.
I am personally heartbroken. I lost my biggest champion. Just last month when I got the WPP job he sent me a note, “Prouder than a peacock can be.” And I always told him, ‘You are my wings.’”
Shelly Lazarus, Chairman Emeritus, Ogilvy
“Piyush Pandey had a giant brain and a giant heart. It was an honor of my life to have been his partner and his friend.
Piyush built Ogilvy India into what it is today. He commanded the respect of everyone who worked with him and knew him. I loved walking down the street with Piyush and have people stop and ask him for his autograph.
There are some few people who are immortal. Piyush Pandey is one of them.
I will miss you, my friend.”
Hephzibah Pathak, Executive Chairperson, Ogilvy India:
“It’s hard to capture the immense impact Piyush had on us all. He didn’t just change the game for our industry; he changed our lives. A giant of a leader, his fearless heart and unwavering goodness inspired us to see the world, and ourselves, differently.
His beautiful philosophy, ‘Kuch khaas hai hum sabhi mein’ was his very essence–always finding and celebrating the specialness in everyone. We are so privileged to have been raised and nurtured by him.
Godspeed, Piyush. Rest in eternal peace.”
Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Kainaz Karmakar and Sukesh Nayak, Chief Creative Officers, Ogilvy India:
“”The most honest thing we can say is that we’re numb. SO many memories are flooding our hearts. His living room was our second office. From the day we joined Ogilvy, to this day, he was our Creative Director and we were his team. This is an honour we can’t forget or replace. Even if he can’t hear us present ideas anymore, every time we create something, we will be asking ourselves, ‘Will Piyush like this?’ What we can promise as our tribute to him is to carry on his belief in creativity, culture and bravery.”
Reed Collins, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy APAC
“Our hearts are stilled, for a legend has departed. Piyush Pandey didn’t just shape culture; he shaped us. We mourn his absence, yet rise with fierce gratitude, committed to carrying his bat, forever building on the extraordinary innings he so brilliantly played. ?????? “
