Piyush Pandey Gave Soul To Indian Advertising, Says PM Modi In Heartfelt Tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mourned the passing of Piyush Pandey, the celebrated advertising icon, recalling his immense contribution to the field of communication and creative storytelling.

The Prime Minister said he would always treasure his interactions with Pandey and extended condolences to his family and admirers.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Shri Piyush Pandey Ji was admired for his creativity. He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications. I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years. Saddened by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Following news of his death, tributes poured in from political leaders, industry stalwarts, and members of the creative fraternity.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed their condolences, describing Pandey’s demise as a profound loss to the creative world.

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called him a ‘doyen of Indian advertising’, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described Pandey as a ‘communication genius’ and a ‘truly inspiring personality’.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and Adani Enterprises Director Pranav Adani also paid heartfelt tributes, remembering Pandey as a friend and a visionary who gave Indian advertising its distinct identity.

A Padma Shri awardee, Pandey, passed away at the age of 70 after battling an infection.

As Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide at Ogilvy, Pandey consequently earned recognition as the pioneer of modern Indian advertising.

He, however, played a defining role in shaping India’s advertising landscape, famously crafting the political slogan ‘Ab ki baar, Modi sarkar’.

Among his most iconic works are:

• Cadbury Dairy Milk’s ‘Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein’ featuring the dancing girl,
• Asian Paints’ ‘Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai’, and
• Vodafone’s popular ZooZoo campaign

Beyond commercial campaigns, Pandey also led impactful social initiatives. One of his most notable efforts was the ‘Do Boond Zindagi Ke’ Polio Abhiyaan featuring Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign, however, became a milestone in public awareness advertising.

Pandey leaves behind his family, colleagues, and a legacy of creativity that continues to define the soul of Indian advertising.

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