Ogilvy India organised a rare gathering to celebrate one of India’s tallest icons of advertising - Piyush Pandey, a week after his demise. A get-together where Ogilvy and advertising’s past and future came together, the only common string between them being that they all admired Piyush Pandey. The leader who Piyush chose to succeed him at Ogilvy nearly two years ago, Hephzibah Pathak who is currently the Executive Chairperson of the agency in India and also someone he was immensely proud of, gave an emotional farewell to her mentor on stage with the following words.
"Thank you everyone for being here. There is so much love and respect in the room today. It's a rich tribute to an incredible man called Piyush Pandey.
He was a Creative Genius, a Gamechanger, an Industry Icon, a Talent Creator, a Godfather, a Father, a Child, a Leader, a Cheerleader, a Brave Heart but most importantly a Good Heart. These are just some of the ways to describe him.
He was a light house of a human being. He bear hugged life, people, creativity and fun.
Piyush was special. For the advertising industry. For Ogilvy and for me.
Much has been said and written about his contribution to changing the face of advertising in India, with a new language of advertising. Of simplicity, of emotion, of breakthrough work in the local language.
His work that sought inspiration from the streets. To win the hearts of the same people, on the streets.
He put Indian advertising and culture on the global map. He was the incredible force that led Ogilvy’s and in many ways India’s creative revolution.
For us, in Ogilvy, he was more than that. He inspired us, taught us to be brave, rooted, genuine, generous, and truly understand and value this word called “partner” in everything we did.
He taught us that the way to ‘share of market’ is by winning ‘share of heart’. He wore his heart on his sleeve too and cried unabashedly when he was moved.
A lot of his life lessons came from cricket. He constantly egged us to 'Play off the front foot'. Making us both better leaders and advertising people.
I have had the privilege of a long partnership and relationship with Piyush. Nearly 27 years. There has never been a dull moment. He has been an amazing boss, teacher, mentor and friend.
He was the best company on any journey we took – professional or personal.
He gave me a piece of advice when I first joined - 'Enjoy the journey, everything else will follow.' Priceless words. It’s apparent that he lived by this too. He brimmed with enthusiasm and joy and was eager to play the game every day.
We felt the ripple effect of his optimism far and wide. I remember when a reporter once asked him to comment on the state of the economy – he in true Piyush style said 'I am not an economist but I am an optimist' and talked about how he believed things would turn for the better soon.
He encouraged us to learn from life, not just research. Take a long train journey to understand people and our culture, he would say. A lot of the work you have seen and will see again today, came from what inspired him from life.
Togetherness was important to him. Trusted partnerships and relationships were important to him. It was the safe space that allowed us to take a big leap or raise and groom an idea never done before.
Piyush lived in the best place on earth. He lived in childhood. He was mischievous, fearless, crazy and a genius at the same time.
For me, the spirit of Piyush is forever captured in the ‘girl dancing on the cricket field’ in his iconic Cadbury Dairy Milk commercial of the 90s. A symbol of unshackled joy and childlike spontaneity. Its song held his entire philosophy 'Kuch khaas hai hum sabhi mein.' He recognised the specialness and made us special people in his team.
We will miss his creative genius; but we will miss his loud laughter more.
We will miss his adorable moustachioed face and that encouraging voice telling us to 'Play off the front foot'.
He often used the word magic when he liked something. HE is magic. And he played a magical innings!
Piyush you will always be not out!. You stories and lessons will live in our hearts and corridors forever.
Thank you, Piyush!. Rest easy! We will continue to play like you taught us to!"
