MAM
Ad veteran Amitabha Lahiri passes away; led MASH Advertising as CEO
Industry remembers seasoned leader who shaped brands across top agencies
NEW DELHI: Amitabha Lahiri, a seasoned name in India’s advertising industry and chief executive officer of MASH Advertising, has passed away, according to media reports.
Lahiri brought with him over three decades of experience across some of the country’s most prominent agencies, carving a reputation for building brands and businesses with equal ease. At MASH Advertising, a unit of Percept Ltd, he played a key role in shaping the agency’s direction and growth since its inception.
He joined the Percept group in 2007 as senior vice president at Hakuhodo Percept and was later elevated to chief operating officer. He eventually went on to lead MASH India as chief executive, steering the agency through its formative years and positioning it as a creative and strategic player in the market.
Before his stint with Percept, Lahiri held leadership roles across leading global networks. He served as vice president at Dentsu Marcom and JWT, and earlier as vice president and branch head at Everest Brand Solutions in Delhi. His career also included significant tenures at McCann Worldgroup, Lowe Lintas and Leo Burnett, where he honed his expertise in account management and brand strategy.
Colleagues and industry peers remember Lahiri as a steady hand in a fast-changing business, someone who combined creative instinct with sharp commercial understanding. His journey from early roles in Mumbai’s advertising scene to leading agencies in Delhi reflects the evolution of India’s ad industry itself.
His passing marks the loss of a veteran who helped shape campaigns, teams and agencies across decades. As the industry continues to evolve, Lahiri’s legacy will endure in the many brands he influenced and the professionals he mentored along the way.
Brands
ABD Maestro bags Distiller of the Year at Icons of Whisky India 2026
ARTHAUS campaign win adds sparkle as firm marks first anniversary
MUMBAI: ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits arm of Allied Blenders & Distillers, has been named Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky India Awards 2026, capping off a milestone first year for the company.
The recognition comes as ABD Maestro completes one year of operations, having built a portfolio of ten brands across categories and expressions, in line with rising consumer appetite for premium, globally benchmarked spirits.
Held in Gurugram, the 15th edition of the Icons of Whisky Awards honoured excellence in innovation, craftsmanship and leadership across the whisky industry. ABD Maestro emerged as the only Indian company to win the title alongside six international players, underscoring its growing global standing.
Adding to the wins, ARTHAUS Blended Malt Scotch Whisky was awarded ‘Campaign Innovator of the Year’, highlighting its differentiated positioning and engagement strategy in India’s competitive premium Scotch segment.
ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd. managing director Bikram Basu said, “India’s super premium whisky landscape is evolving fast with consumers showing a clear preference for globally benchmarked expressions. Being named ‘Distiller of the Year’ in our first year, and as the only Indian company recognised alongside international players, is a defining milestone.”
He added that the recognition reflects the strength of the company’s portfolio and its commitment to craftsmanship, innovation and quality.
The twin honours mark a strong start for ABD Maestro, reinforcing its ambition to shape India’s luxury spirits landscape while strengthening the country’s presence on the global whisky stage.
