Epica’s Creative Leaders Tribute award honours outstanding contribution to creativity. This year’s award goes to Piyush Pandey, chairman of Ogilvy India and chief creative officer, Ogilvy Worldwide.
Pandey will be handed the trophy during the Epica Awards ceremony at the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in Amsterdam on the evening of November 21.
Ogilvy describes its creative leader as, “The most decorated and revered advertising figure in India, Pandey is undoubtedly in the David Ogilvy mould. He is an extraordinary leader who is passionate about big ideas and delivering them to clients, all while keeping the greater good top of mind.”
In India, he is famous for his work for brands such as Cadbury, Fevicol and Asian Paints. Under his watch, Ogilvy in India fought to eradicate polio. He joined Ogilvy as an account director in 1982 but was moved to the creative department when the agency spotted his potential. Three years later he was creative director. Under his leadership, Ogilvy India has been ranked the No.1 Agency for 12 consecutive years in the Agency Reckoner, an independent Marketing & Advertising Survey conducted by The Economic Times and Brand Equity. He has bdeen named the most influential man in Indian advertising for eight consecutive years by The Economic Times.
He is the only Indian to win a double gold at Cannes (for his Cancer Patients Association anti-smoking campaign) and a triple Grand Prix at the London International Awards. During Pandey’s tenure, O&M India has won 25 Lions at Cannes. In 2002, he won India’s first Silver Pencil at The One Show Awards.
Pandey won a Clio Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding work and creative achievements in 2012. On India’s Republic Day in 2016, the Government of India awarded Pandey the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India. In 2018, Pandey and his brother, Prasoon Pandey (Corcoise Films), won the Lion of St Mark.
Pandey commented, “I am totally humbled by this generous recognition. I would like to thank all clients and colleagues, for giving me the opportunity and for helping me in every way, to make the work look good.”
Epica’s editorial director, Mark Tungate, stated, “It is an honour to present this award to Piyush Pandey. From the beginning of his career, he has created the kind of advertising that professionals admire and consumers love: warm, humane, imaginative and – because of all those things – effective.”
