Sanjit Shastri, CEO, Publicis Beehive, passes away

Sanjit Shastri, CEO, Publicis Beehive, passed away yesterday (September 21, 2017) at his home in Mumbai due to a massive cardiac arrest. He was 53. Shastri is survived by his wife and daughter. 

Shastri had set up Beehive Communications, a full-service integrated service agency, in 2003. He was the agency’s CEO since inception, and continued in the same capacity even after its takeover by the Publicis Groupe in 2013. Before Beehive, he was the President at Concept Communications, helping the business soar under his leadership. 

Mourning Shastri’s demise, Saurabh Varma, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Communications, India, said, “Publicis Beehive was Sanjit’s life’s work. He leaves behind an incredible legacy. Publicis Beehive is arguably the finest integrated agency serving Indian entrepreneurs. We will miss his passion, his incredible focus, and his belief in always being client-centric.” 

Colleagues and employees across Publicis Communications and Publicis Beehive fondly remember him as an astute advertising veteran, with unparalleled passion and drive for growth. He was a mentor to most and the source of extreme positivity to several others. In his industrious career, he has helped build several iconic brands in India, including Malaysia Tourism, Star Cruises, FabIndia, RummyCircle.com, among many more. 

Expressing her deepest condolences and grief, Shyamashree D’Mello, Executive Creative Director, Publicis Beehive, and a close colleague of Shastri’s for the last 15 years, said, “I remember Sanjit as someone with infectious passion and an almost surreal thirst for knowledge. There was a lot to learn from him – as a mentor, colleague, friend and a boss, not just for me but for everyone who had the good fortune to know him. I can’t express my loss in words, but I do know that there will never be anyone like him.”