Advertising veteran Diwan Arun Nanda, co-founder and former chairperson, Rediffusion, has passed away at the age of 76.

Nanda co-founded Rediffusion in 1973 and went on to lead the agency for more than five decades, building it into one of India’s most influential creative firms.

In July 2023, he stepped down from the chairmanship, citing age, and handed over the reins to Sandeep Goyal.

His career extended far beyond advertising.

Between 1983 and 1991, he served as advisor to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was later appointed chairman of Dentsu Young & Rubicam, a joint venture between the two global advertising giants.

Nanda also held leadership roles in the industry, serving two terms as president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI). 

He was awarded the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in the early 2000s.

Beyond the ad world, Nanda brought his expertise to the boards of several leading companies, including Air India, Eveready, Kingfisher Airlines, and Yes Bank.