Piyush Pandey, creator of Fevicol, Vodafone and Cadbury’s iconic campaigns, dies at 70
He received several prestigious honours, including the Padma Shri (2016) and the LIA Legend Award (2024)
PTC Web Desk: Renowned advertising legend Piyush Pandey, the creative mind behind some of India’s most iconic ad campaigns, passed away on Friday at the age of 70. Widely hailed as a pioneer in the Indian advertising world, Pandey’s work has left an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural and creative landscape.
Over his illustrious career, Pandey crafted memorable campaigns that became part of everyday Indian life, from Fevicol’s witty ads and Vodafone’s endearing pug commercial to Cadbury’s “Kuch Khaas Hai” and Asian Paints’ “Har Khushi Mein Rang Laye.” His storytelling and deep understanding of emotion and humour made his campaigns timeless.
Condoling his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Pandey, calling him a creative visionary who made “a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications.” The Prime Minister said he would always “cherish our interactions over the years” and extended condolences to Pandey’s family and admirers.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal described him as “a phenomenon in the world of advertising,” recalling his “authenticity, warmth, and wit.” He noted that Piyush Pandey’s genius “redefined storytelling, giving us unforgettable and timeless narratives.”
Close friend Suhel Seth also mourned the loss, saying India had not only lost a great advertising mind but also “a true patriot and fine gentleman.” Referring to Pandey’s contribution to the patriotic song “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” (1988), Seth wrote, “Now the heavens will dance to Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.”
Pandey’s professional journey is filled with milestones. He served as Ogilvy’s Chief Creative Officer Worldwide and Executive Chairman India, shaping some of the agency’s most successful years. He received several prestigious honours, including the Padma Shri (2016) and the LIA Legend Award (2024).
His first ad was for Sunlight Detergent, marking the beginning of a career that transformed Indian advertising. Among his many celebrated campaigns were the Polio awareness drive with Amitabh Bachchan, Fevikwik’s “Todo Nahin, Jodo”, Ponds’ “Googly Woogly Woosh”, Vodafone’s ZooZoos, and impactful campaigns for Gujarat Tourism and the Cancer Patients Association’s anti-smoking drive.