Piyush Pandey's note on Ranjan Kapur's passing...

Sourced from Ogilvy India. By Piyush Pandey, SN Rane and the Board of Directors, Ogilvy & Mather, India.

Most of you would know by now that our former Chairman, Mr. Ranjan Kapur, passed away on Saturday 27th January 2018. Some of you who joined Ogilvy before 2004, may have worked with Ranjan. Some of you may have met him as part of his role as the WPP Country Head for India, or more recently as Chairman, WPP India. However, many of you may not have had the privilege of interacting with this great leader, so I would like to give you a little glimpse of his life and times.

Ranjan Kapur

Ranjan served Ogilvy for 37 years in different parts of the world. In 1994, he returned from Singapore to head Ogilvy India. His predecessor, Mr. Mani Ayer, laid the railroad. Ranjan became Ogilvy India's most powerful engine. An engine that took Ogilvy India on a journey full of joy, a journey that made us see destinations that we had not dreamt of, a journey that delighted us, our clients, the people of India and the world.

Piyush PandeyRanjan was determined to make Ogilvy India the biggest and the best agency in the country on the back of great creative work that solved our clients' problems, and opened new opportunities.

Ranjan led by example, sleeves rolled up, always willing to get his hands dirty, no matter how small the job. He taught us all to play the changing game and played alongside us. He shared and celebrated successes with us. He coined the phrase "we evaluate our success by the level of laughter in the corridors".

I have had the opportunity to know him, to have worked with him, and to have learnt from him, for 36 years. There are stories and more stories - of working hard, playing hard and celebrating harder.

Ranjan leaves behind his wonderful wife Jimi and daughter Tina. It is impossible to assess the incredible value of the role Jimi played in keeping us all connected and making us feel good. She knows not just us, but our families, with whom she has a relationship well beyond work. More about Jimi and Tina on a happier day.

The gentlest of giants in the advertising industry is not with us any longer, but his inspiration and spirit will continue to guide us. Let us all salute Ranjan Kapur, and continue to make him as proud of us in heaven as he was in this world. Rest in Peace my friend, philosopher and guide.

- Piyush Pandey, SN Rane and the Board of Directors, Ogilvy & Mather, India.