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Condolences shared by Sir Martin Sorrell and a few WPP/Ogilvy bosses on Piyush Pandey’s demise Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder and Executive Chairman of S4Capital/Monks: “So sad to hear this just now…. We all loved Piyush. He was a real Indian tiger who led Ogilvy from the front to the end and was a creative titan. Clients really appreciate creative leaders, and he was one of the finest, carving out a reputation globally well beyond India’s borders. And, of course, he was a fine cricketer and cricket lover. It was a privilege to know him, work with him, and be with him. We have now recently lost two of Ogilvy and WPP’s finest leaders – Piyush and Sergio Amado. We wish Piyush’s family long life.” Devika Bulchandani, Chief Operating Officer, WPP “Piyush was not just the most important man in Indian advertising, he was the most important man in so, so, so many of our lives at Ogilvy. He may have left us but his work and his legacy will live forever. I am personally heartbroken. I lost my biggest champion. Just last month when I got the WPP job he sent me a note, “Prouder than a peacock can be.” And I always told him, ‘You are my wings.’” Shelly Lazarus, Chairman Emeritus, Ogilvy “Piyush Pandey had a giant brain and a giant heart. It was an honour of my life to have been his partner and his friend. Piyush built Ogilvy India into what it is today. He commanded the respect of everyone who worked with him and knew him. I loved walking down the street with Piyush and have people stop and ask him for his autograph. There are some few people who are immortal. Piyush Pandey is one of them. I will miss you, my friend.” Liz Taylor, Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy: “A quiet Friday morning brought news that shattered our hearts: the legend, Piyush Pandey, has left us. The void he leaves is immense—a silence where once his booming laughter, humble mentorship, and profound humanity resonated. To the world, Piyush was an icon, a creative giant, an advertising hero. To Ogilvy, he was our coach, our champion, our spiritual guide, our heart and soul. His passing is a loss that words cannot capture. Yet even as we grieve, a profound sense of gratitude and purpose fills us. For Piyush, creativity was about connection—about making something that lived in people’s hearts. And that’s exactly what he did, time and again. His ideas shaped brands and culture. His kindness shaped people. He taught us that living with generosity and creating with enormity leaves a legacy beyond measure. We will honor him in all that we do—not just in advertising, but in the way we live, lead, and care—striving always to act in the light of his values and to make him proud in every part of our lives.” Joe Sciarrotta, Deputy Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy “It’s hard to know where to begin. Personally, he was a brother to me. We spoke often. I spent time with his family, and he with mine—my mom would often ask after him. His is a loss I cannot fathom. But I also know that I’m not alone in that. Piyush was a legend of our industry, and a national treasure in India. I was once on a tour bus in Goa with him and someone asked where we were from. Ogilvy, we said. They respond ‘Oh! Piyush Pandey is from Ogilvy. He’s very famous.’ To which I said, ‘Well, Piyush Pandey is standing right next to you.’ The man nearly had a heart attack from his awe and excitement. What many people don’t realise is that Piyush gave India its voice back, after having been so Westernised for so long. There was nothing he was more proud of than his country and his people. His greatest gift was that he treated ordinary people extraordinary, and extraordinary people ordinary. He saw, and celebrated, the humanity in it all. And that’s the impact he’s had on the next generation of creatives, and that will ripple for generations to come.” Reed Collins, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy APAC “Our hearts are stilled, for a legend has departed. Piyush Pandey didn’t just shape culture; he shaped us. We mourn his absence, yet rise with fierce gratitude, committed to carrying his bat, forever building on the extraordinary innings he so brilliantly played. 🙏❤️🏏 “
