Goutam Rakshit, the founder and manager of Advertising Avenues passed away on March 31, exchange4media reported Wednesday.
He was the brains behind some of the most iconic ads from the 80s and the 90s for brands like Onida TV, VIP Skybags, Skypak and VIP Frenchie
He began his career in 1971 after graduating from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies when he joined Cadbury as a management trainee.
He then set up Advertising Avenues in 1982, an organisation he oversaw for close to four decades. At the agency, he focused on startups and SMEs who were too small to seek professional service from big organisations. Rakshit’s contributions helped many such brands from diverse sectors grow and flourish.
His most famous ad is of course the Onida one in the 1980s that saw the Onida devil come to our television screens
Here are some of the tributes that
A campaign of the 80s, that’s still ranks in top 10 of any expert’s list.
Tagline: Neighbour’s envy, owner’s pride
Mascot: The Devil
Brand Building
10/10We lost industry stalwart, Goutam Rakshit, the founder of Avenues that created the legendary Onida campaign.
RIP GoutamDa. pic.twitter.com/Vj0vKdc1dO
— MitrajitBhattacharya (@MitrajitB) April 1, 2020
Goutam Rakshit is no more! A legend in his own right. Founder of Advertising Avenues, ‘mad man’ behind classics like Onida Devil & VIP Frenchie Innerwear starring Dalip Tahil. RIP sir. You inspired me and so many others from our college days to take to this profession. RIP.
— Tathagata Chatterjee (@TathagataChatt2) April 1, 2020
Adman par excellence Goutam Rakshit is no more. Campaign tat propelled our Brand #Onida to dizzy heights was a creation of his agency AdAvenues.But today, more than his work, we pay homage 2 a wonderful soul, a friend, a guide & an inspiration. RIP #GoutamRakshit pic.twitter.com/lZLqp5O0Mp
— Giraj (@HiOnMoon) April 1, 2020