Ad guru Ram Ray passes away

Ad Guru, Ram Ray, one of the most prominent figures in the history of Indian Advertising has passed away. Ray breathed his last yesterday at a city hospital in Kolkata at the age of 77 following prolonged illness.

The founder and chairman of Response India, Ray had spent over 56 years in marketing and advertising. Of which, 20 years were at JWT/HTA India and JWT USA ,and 6 years at Bates. He headed HTA Madras, Bangalore and Calcutta. He was also the Member, Operating Board, HTA. He worked as the Senior Vice President, JWT USA and Head of JWT San Francisco. He was the only non-American to serve on the Board of JWT USA, assessed 13 western states markets to help plan JWT USA’s growth and blueprinted JWT USA’s startup operation in Dallas. Further, during his stint with JWT he started JWT in Colombo and JWT affiliates’ network in West Asia.

Has been running Response Group since founding it in 1985. He was concurrently the CEO of Clarion, now Bates, from 1992-98. Under his leadership Response became one of the leading advertising agencies of the country having a diversified client portfolio.

He was conferred the Hall of Fame at Srijon Samman, Hall of Fame, Advertising Club Calcutta and the Lifetime Achievement Award, Bengal Chamber.