Ad-man R K Swamy is dead

Doyen of Indian advertising R K Swamy on Thursday died at his residence in Chennai. He was 80.

Chairman of R K Swamy/BBDO Advertising Private Ltd, Swamy is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters, a company press release said.

Acknowledged as one of the prime-movers of the advertising industry in India, R K Swamy had fashioned and influenced the development of two top-ranking advertising agencies - JWT/HTA and R K Swamy/BBDO.

In 1986-87, Swamy set up Hansa Vision for producing high quality television programmes.

He authored a few books, including How to Succeed Without Tears and R K Swamy Guide to Marketing.

He had been president or chairman of almost all industry bodies relating to advertising, including the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) and Advertising Standards Council of India.

Swamy was recipient of a number of awards from various bodies including the AAAI, advertising clubs in Chennai and Kolkata and the All India Management Association of which he was president during 1977-78.

In recognition of his contribution to the management movement, the All India Management Association conferred on him the status of 'fellow member' and 'lifelong honourary member'.

Swamy also made notable contributions to the Rotary movement and served as president of the Rotary Club of Madras in 1970-71.