Advertising legend Piyush Pandey dies at 70

• Piyush Pandey, one of India's most celebrated advertising minds, passed away in Mumbai on October 24. He was 70.

• Pandey was born in Jaipur and was introduced to advertising early in his career when he and his brother Prasoon Pandey lent their voices to many radio jingles for household products. Later on, he went on to try many careers.

• Piyush Pandey joined Ogilvy India in 1982 and rose to become its global creative chief.

• His campaigns for Fevicol, Cadbury, and Asian Paints are well remembered.

• He transformed Indian advertising by rooting it in local language, humour, and emotion.

• He penned the iconic ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’ song celebrating the rich diversity of the country.

• He was also the man behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2014 election campaign slogan “Ab ki Baar, Modi Sarkar”.

• Pandey was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2016 and the London International Awards’ Legend Award in 2024.

• He was the first Asian to chair the Cannes Lions jury in 2004.

• Pandey was advising his agency Ogilvy for the last few years, having taken a break from an active role.