Mumbai, Oct 24 (NationPress) Piyush Pandey, a distinguished recipient of the Padma Shri award and a pivotal figure in the evolution of Indian advertising, has sadly passed away at the age of 70, as confirmed on Friday.

Pandey held the esteemed positions of Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide at Ogilvy, earning recognition as the visionary behind contemporary Indian advertising. The agency disclosed that Pandey had been battling a severe infection that ultimately took a tragic turn.

“To our entire Ogilvy family, it is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of our cherished Piyush Pandey. He was fighting an infection that escalated, and he left us peacefully this morning. It’s hard to fathom how each one of us will cope with this immense loss,” the agency stated.

Pranav Adani, Director of Adani Enterprises, lamented the loss of Pandey.

“I am devastated by the loss of my dear friend Piyush Pandey, the creative mastermind who transformed Indian advertising into a global force. His innovative ideas set industry standards and inspired countless storytellers. His warmth and humor will be deeply missed,” Adani shared on the social media platform X.

Pandey’s career was marked by a plethora of iconic campaigns that resonated culturally. He was instrumental in creating one of India’s most unforgettable political slogans, “Ab ki baar, Modi sarkar”.

His advertising portfolio boasts some of the most iconic commercials in Indian history, including 'Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein' for Cadbury Dairy Milk featuring the memorable dancing girl, Asian Paints' 'Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai', and the adorable 'ZooZoo' characters for Vodafone.

Pandey also led significant public service initiatives, such as the 'Do Boond Zindagi Ke' Polio Abhiyaan alongside Amitabh Bachchan.

He is survived by his family, his colleagues who became like family, and a remarkable body of work that continues to capture the essence of Indian advertising.