Recipient of the LIA Legend Award (2024) and the Padma Shri (2016), Piyush Pandey is the former Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy Worldwide. In January 2024 he retired but continues to play an advisory role.
A visionary in the truest sense, Piyush's mind is one that generations get to witness only once. He is the forebearer of the simple essence of Indian advertising, bringing culture alive with every fantastic story he tells.
Born to a family of nine children, Prasoon Pandey being one, Piyush studied at St. Xavier's School, Jaipur, and then did his Post Graduate in History from St. Stephen's College in Delhi.
Thereafter, Piyush began his advertising career with Lintas India in 1982 and joined Ogilvy India in 1994. Pandey began his career in the advertising industry as a client servicing executive at Ogilvy in 1982. His first ad was a print campaign for Sunlight Detergent. After six years, he transitioned into the creative department, where he developed iconic ads for brands like Luna moped, Fevicol, Cadbury, and Asian Paints. Within three years, he was promoted to Creative Director, eventually becoming the National Creative Director. By 1994, he had joined the board of directors. Under his leadership, Ogilvy India was ranked the No.1 agency for 12 consecutive years in the Agency Reckoner, a respected survey by The Economic Times. Notably, he was also the first jury president from Asia at the Cannes Lions Festival.
Over his 40-year tenure, Ogilvy & Mather grew to become the largest advertising agency in India, with Ogilvy India recognized as one of the most creative offices within the global Ogilvy network. In September 2006, Pandey was appointed to the Ogilvy Worldwide board.
Some of his most notable work includes BJP 2014 Election Campaign 'Abki Baar Modi Sarkar' with the famous slogan, "Achhe Din Aane Wale Hein", Fevicol Ad Campaigns (Bus, Fish, Sofa), Asian Paints 'Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai', Polio Campaign ft. Amitabh Bachchan, Fevikwik 'Todo Nahin, Jodo', Cadbury Dairy Milk 'Kuchh Khaas Hai', and Vodafone 'Pug' and ZooZoo.
In addition to his work in advertising, Piyush is also a prolific author and has written several books, including "Pandeymonium: Piyush Pandey on Advertising" and "The Making of a Brand: Asian Paints". He also mentors creative professionals globally at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership.
Read our blog on some invaluable lessons the advertising prodigy has taught us through the years!