It’s been a while since I’ve written a book summary on my blog. Life happened went through some things had to do some soul searching and here I am back again.
I read this book Pandeymonium by Piyush Pandey after I figured I’ll give this Advertising career a try. So in order to enhance my knowledge brought a bunch of books in advertising Pandeymonium was one of them.
A funny story about the Title of the book. The inspiration came from his WhatsApp group which included his close friends and family. No prizes for guessing the name, it was PANDEYMONIUM.
From Jaipur to the Top
Piyush Pandey for those of you who have not heard of him has spent his whole career in Ogilvy in the advertising domain. To put simply he is kind of a big Deal when it comes to Advertising in India.
Piyush Pandey was born in Jaipur in a large family. He had 9 siblings growing up 7 sisters of whom he was the youngest and a younger brother Prasoon Pandey who carved his own niche in advertising and film.
The book charts Pandey’s remarkable journey, from his early life in Jaipur to his rise to the top of Ogilvy India. It showcases his role in shaping the agency’s creative landscape.
Life is a game of Cricket
Piyush Pandey was a promising cricketer who played for his college and even at the state level for Rajasthan. He’s played with the who’s of who of Indian cricket namely Arun Lal, and Kapil Dev, during the late 70’s and early 80’s.
He was happy with what he’d achieved and got complacent. This was one regret he had that he didn’t take his cricketing career seriously and this harsh lesson turned into a valuable reminder during his advertising journey to not arrive at any point in one’s career and to always be hungry for more.
Pandey uses the sport as a constant source of inspiration. He compares different cricket formats to various advertising strategies, highlighting the need for long-term brand building (Test Matches) and quick, impactful campaigns (T20).
Piyush Pandey on Advertising
Piyush Pandey’s perspective on advertising is as vibrant and dynamic as the campaigns he’s created over the years. At the heart of his philosophy lies a deep understanding of human emotion and culture, which he seamlessly weaves into his work.
For Pandey, advertising isn’t just about selling products or services; it’s about storytelling. He believes in crafting narratives that resonate with people on a personal level, evoking emotions and forging connections that endure long after the ad is over.
One of Pandey’s key insights is the importance of authenticity. He emphasizes the need for brands to stay true to their values and identity, rather than chasing fleeting trends or gimmicks in order to go Viral. Authenticity, according to Pandey, is what builds trust and loyalty among consumers.
Piyush Pandey’s approach to advertising is rooted in storytelling, authenticity, simplicity, and empathy. It’s a philosophy that has not only shaped his own career but has also left a lasting impact on the industry as a whole.
Humans are emotional beings and everyone’s drawn to stories. Put simply advertising is the art of evoking emotion.
Piyush Pandey and Ogilvy
Piyush Pandey has had a long and storied career in advertising with one company Ogilvy. We are working in a time where individuals switch in 1-2 years for better opportunities and a higher salary and that’s the norm there’s no knocking it.
When Piyush Pandey joined Ogilvy he says he felt the same comfort as the one he had at home. Everyone was Family.
For many people in the world, no amount of money is ever enough. Pandey is a simple man with not enormous needs. So money was not a deciding factor for him to jump ship.
In the late 90’s a senior executive from WPP’s largest competitiors met Piyush Pandey at the Taj Lands End in Bombay. In a short meeting he proposed why not start your own agency We’ll put your name on the board.
In response Pandey said on your way to the airport to the hotel you may have passed at least 20 billboards with Ogilvy’s work on them. While you didn’t see my name on any of those billboards my work is shouting from each and every one of them.
There are 3 main reasons why one would leave:
- 1. If the current does not allow you to actualize your potential.
- 2. If the company underpays you.
- 3. The 3rd would be the name board thing.
