Industry Mourns The Demise Of FCB Ulka's Anil Kapoor

Anil Kapoor, Chairman Emeritus at DraftFCB+ Ulka went to be at rest this morning, bravely finishing his fight with cancer.

Along with being a member of Draftfcb's global operating council and the regional president of Draftfcb Asia Pacific and Africa, Kapoor served as a member of the FCB Worldwide (Foote, Cone & Belding) Board, New York in August 2019, thus becoming the first Indian advertising agency head to be a part of the apex worldwide board.

Shashi Sinha, CEO, IPG Mediabrands reminisces about his association with Kapoor, that lasted for over 22 years. He recollects his warmth, affection, big-heartedness and love for food. On a professional note, Sinha mentions, "Kapoor was an exceptional leader and focused on building a great team. I owe a lot to him for mentoring me in my personal and professional spheres. For us and his clients, he will always be remembered for his grit and confidence."

Remembering Kapoor, Rohit Ohri, Group Chairman & CEO, FCB India shares, "'Mein tumhe apni beti de raha hoon'. 

This is what Anil Kapoor said to me when I took over as Group Chairman & CEO of FCB Ulka in 2016. Ulka was the daughter he had loved and nurtured for almost three decades.  

He asked me to meet him for an afternoon coffee and our conversation took us almost to breakfast of the following day! His passion for the agency and brands that he had built was evident. Listening to him as he ran me through the history of Ulka, was a master class in the Anil Kapoor School of Advertising. He was a fearless man who always believed in doing the right thing. His razor sharp mind would first interrogate the business model and product delivery before thinking of communication, getting many a client to re-evaluate their marketing strategies.

Thank you Anil. For sharing with me the ‘secret sauce’ that made Ulka what it is. And, for trusting me with your daughter."