Industry pays homages to ad veteran Gerson da Cunha

Gerson da Cunha, advertising industry veteran, stage and film actor, social worker, and author, passed away today in Mumbai. He was 92. Da Cunha’s career in advertising spanned over 25 years, where he had gone on to be CEO of Lintas.

He started his career as a journalist with the Press Trust of India, before making a move to advertising. He later became involved in civic and social activism. He had been associated with several CSR initiatives and public awareness campaigns both at the state and national levels with the Government of India. He also took a lot of personal interest in the development of Mumbai city and was a member of the governing board of Mumbai First, a not-for-profit organisation set up by India’s industry leaders 25 years ago under public-private participation.

da Cunha was also involved in the world of films and theatre, and had acted in numerous plays and movies such as ‘Electric Moon’, ‘Cotton Mary’, ‘Asoka’ and ‘Water’, among others.

People across the advertising and entertainment industry paid tributes to Da Cunha and remembered his contribution to the industry and society at large.

Lloyad Mathis:

A multi-dimensional person he was also a film/theatre actor and a Mumbai civic champion. Some may remember him as the Bombay DD news anchor or news reader, as they were called back then. RIP Gerson da Cunha.

One of India’s advertising greats Gerson da Cunha passed away, aged 94. A multi-dimensional person he was also a film/theatre actor and a Mumbai civic champion. Some may remember him as the Bombay DD news anchor or news reader, as they were called back then. RIP Gerson da Cunha🙏 pic.twitter.com/1LK86DAYZj

— Lloyd Mathias (@LloydMathias) January 7, 2022

Ramesh Narayan:

A gentle giant from the era where titans set up the advertising industry. And believed in the power of communication as a force for good, decades after they formally left the industry.He will be sorely missed.

Gerson da Cunha is no more. A gentle giant from the era where titans set up the advertising industry. And believed in the power of communication as a force for good, decades after they formally left the industry.He will be sorely missed. @alertprasad @pmahesh @skswamy @Umanathv pic.twitter.com/vGJqbeK1Fw

— Ramesh Narayan (@rameshnarayan) January 7, 2022

Suhel Seth:

One of the true titans of Indian Advertising; a great theatre aficionado and above all the epitome of grace and refinement. Travel well Gerson Da Cunha and break a leg on the other side.

One of the true titans of Indian Advertising; a great theatre aficionado and above all the epitome of grace and refinement. Travel well Gerson Da Cunha and break a leg on the other side.

— SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) January 7, 2022

Gayatri vasudev:

The end of an era. We lost a giant today. History will find it hard to define this man who was so selfless and such a gentleman. With so much passion for the arts, advertising and the country. #RIPGerson they don’t make them like you anymore.

The end of an era. We lost a giant today. History will find it hard to define this man who was so selfless and such a gentleman. With so much passion for the arts, advertising and the country. #RIPGerson they don’t make them like you anymore. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/gEKVQFe7jx

— Gayatri Vasudeva Yadav (@GayatriPYadav) January 7, 2022

Shobha de:

Goodbye dear, dear friend . A great thespian and an even greater human being is no more. RIP Gerson da Cunha. Above all else, a large hearted humanitarian...

Goodbye dear, dear friend . A great thespian and an even greater human being is no more. RIP Gerson da Cunha.
Above all else, a large hearted humanitarian... pic.twitter.com/fI1co2ePox

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) January 7, 2022

Rajdeep sardesai:

Sad news: Gerson Da Cunha who represented the best of Mumbai’s genteel, cosmopolitan past has passed away. Ad/theatre/film man, he was above all else a fine human being. Will never forget the help he gave during the 92-93 riots to assist Mumbaikars in distress. Om Shanti

Sad news: Gerson Da Cunha who represented the best of Mumbai’s genteel, cosmopolitan past has passed away. Ad/theatre/film man, he was above all else a fine human being. Will never forget the help he gave during the 92-93 riots to assist Mumbaikars in distress. Om Shanti🙏 pic.twitter.com/Md8Yq9kQgh

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 7, 2022

The advertising club:

The advertising club pays tribute to the gentle gaint of advertising industry

RIP! pic.twitter.com/TkQcAQZSQN

— The Advertising Club (@TheAdClub_India) January 7, 2022

Mullenlowe lintas:

Mullenlowe linta is Forever looking up to Gerson.

Forever looking up to you, Gerson.#GersonDaCunha pic.twitter.com/8wrWB5rAed

— MullenLowe Lintas Group (@MLLintasGroup) January 7, 2022