Ad Club Trivandrum honours Piyush Pandey’s lasting creative legacy

The Advertising Club Trivandrum held a special edition of its Living Room Session on 13 November to commemorate the legacy of Piyush Pandey. The event was moderated by BR Swarup, co-founder of Stark Communications, and featured producer and Nirvana Films co-founder Sneha Iype, who offered a personal and professional account of Pandey’s impact on her career and on the industry. Introducing her, Swarup described Iype as one of the most genuine and warm individuals he has known, noting that her long association with Pandey placed her in a unique position to articulate the essence of his creative approach.

Iype’s reflections presented an intimate view of Pandey, highlighting his instinctive storytelling, his ability to recognise emotion in everyday life and his characteristic humour. She recalled first meeting him as a young trainee, noting how his presence shaped both the work environment and the creative process. She described how Pandey often reframed complex creative challenges into simple, human insights, allowing ideas to emerge naturally.

A key moment in the session was Iype’s account of the making of the Hutch Boy and Dog commercial. She recalled how Pandey watched the final cut repeatedly and was moved to tears, a reaction she described as rare. His insistence on airing the 62-second version contributed to the film’s enduring popularity.

Iype observed that Pandey’s leadership was influenced by his cricketing background, particularly his belief in selecting the right team, offering autonomy and providing unwavering support. These qualities, she said, shaped him into both an influential creative professional and a supportive mentor.

Laj Salam, president of Ad Club Trivandrum, shared condolences and recalled the club’s earlier wish to host Pandey at its launch, noting the message he had sent for the occasion. Vishnu Vijay, secretary, thanked Iype and Swarup for delivering a meaningful tribute. The session was attended by professionals, students and brand owners who gathered to recognise a figure whose humour, humility and vision shaped a generation of Indian advertising.