Ogilvy's Piyush Pandey gets lifetime achievement award

Nagesh Alai, Pesident, AAI was joined on the dais along with Colvyn Harris- Immediate Past President of AAAI and Lynn de Souza, Vice President, AAAI, during the houring ceremony of Pandey. While speaking about Pandey, Harris said, "Piyush was an easy and a unanimous decision. He has put India on the advertising world map; he is not only a leader with a vision but also a large-hearted man."

While delivering his thanks giving speech, Pandey mentioned his colleagues and seniors in the advertising world like Mani Iyer, Ranjan Kapur, Pandit Vinod Sharma, Suresh Malik and Arun Firodia and also his parents and close family members. In his thanks giving speech he said that the advertising fraternity was more of a family for him. He further contended that, "I have believed in India, our culture and most of all Indian audiences appreciate a good advertisement."

Speaking about Pandey, Gerson da Cunha said that, "He is a very humble man; see, even in his speech he just didn't stop thanking others. This only speaks about his modesty and generosity the person holds."

When asked to describe Pandey in one word, Sam Balsara, Chairman and Managing Director, Madison Communications, said, "Instinctive."

Piyush Pandey became the national creative director of Ogilvy & Mather India in 1994 and was inducted to Ogilvy's worldwide board in 2006. Shubha George, Chief Operating Officer, MEC said, "Pandey has a childlike curiosity and zest in whatever he does and this award truly justifies his work."

Piyush Pandey has been associated with some renowned ad ideas like Kuch Khaas Hain Zindagi Mein for Cadbury's Dairy Milk, Vodafone Zoo zoos, Chal Meri Luna etc.

V. Ganpathy, General Manager- West, 20:20 Media, said, "Piyush is more of a human being than an ad guru. Everybody works on rationale, he works on emotions and that makes all the difference." | By Prabha Hegde [prabha(at)adgully.com]