MAM
Zoozoo man moves on from Ogilvy – a note from Piyush Pandey
MUMBAI: Ogilvy South Asia executive chairman and creative director Piyush Pandey writes:
It is not at all easy for me, as I inform you that Rajiv Rao moves on from Ogilvy India to become a film maker. It has been Rajiv’s dream to make films for the last four years. I have nothing but a deep sense of gratitude to Rajiv, that he respected my request to stay on to help make a better and stronger Ogilvy. There are not too many in this business who make a sacrifice of this magnitude.
Rajiv joined Ogilvy in 1999 with his partner V. Mahesh. And shortly thereafter, they started blazing new trails.
In 2002, I had the joy of partnering him as a copywriter to create the legendary ‘Second hand smoke kills’ campaign for Cancer Patients Aid Association. This campaign won India’s first double Gold at Cannes.
Whenever the Orange/Hutch/Vodafone history is written, Rajiv Rao’s name will feature in golden letters. Every piece of work on these brands has Rajiv’s personal stamp on it.
The ‘silent killer’, Rajiv has always displayed phenomenal leadership skills without saying very much. Along with Mahesh, he led Ogilvy Bangalore from 2003 to 2006 and gave the office a renewed energy. In 2009 Rajiv and Abhijit Avasthi took on the role of National Creative Directors and raised the bar up many notches of creativity at Ogilvy India. And since 2015, Rajiv has played the role alone and compensated for his partner.
Loved and admired by one and all in the industry, nationally and internationally, Rajiv is one of the finest creative people and the gentlest giant I have met in my life.
I am sure Rajiv will be no less a film maker than the creative leader he has been. We will stay connected in more ways than one.
Meanwhile, Rajiv will continue as Ogilvy India’s National Creative Leader till Sonal takes over and a smooth transition is complete.
I will refrain from being personal and just say, “Thank you Rajiv. You are a true son of Ogilvy India. Keep the flag flying.”
MAM
Time brings TIME100 Next franchise to India with Reliance
List to spotlight 100 emerging leaders, gala set for December 2026 in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: It’s about time India’s next wave got a global spotlight and now, it’s on the list. New York-headquartered Time is expanding its TIME100 Next franchise to India, partnering with Reliance Industries Limited to launch TIME100 Next India, its first international extension of the rising leaders platform. The announcement was made at the Time100 Gala in New York by Jessica Sibley and Nita Mukesh Ambani, signalling a strategic push to tap into India’s growing influence across sectors.
The India edition will recognise 100 emerging leaders from the country and the global Indian diaspora, spanning business, science, sports, arts and social impact. The list will be curated by Time’s editorial team and published online, continuing the franchise’s focus on identifying individuals shaping the future.
The initiative will culminate in a gala event scheduled for December 2026 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, anchoring the platform within India’s cultural and business ecosystem.
TIME’s broader Time100 franchise has steadily expanded its global footprint since 2021 through events and impact-led initiatives. Executives noted that India’s growing pool of influential voices and innovators made it a natural next step for the platform’s international ambitions.
For Reliance, the partnership aligns with its broader push to support emerging talent and ideas on a global stage. For Time, it marks a timely bet on India not just as a market, but as a talent engine shaping the next chapter of global leadership.
