Sidharth Rao dies; Industry mourns the loss of pioneer and OG startupper
The sudden demise of Sidharth Rao, founder of Webchutney and Punt Partners, has stunned the community that is mourning the loss of a pioneer, a visionary and a people’s leader.
The advertising, marketing and media community is in shock, for one of its stalwarts is no more. Sidharth Rao, founder of one of India’s first and finest digital agencies Webchutney passed away on Friday evening of a cardiac arrest. He took a bet 23 years ago, when the internet was still an untapped and wary space. Obviously, it paid off, Webchutney soon became one of India’s most successful agencies only to be acquired by Dentsu in 2013.
Dentsu Webchutney made history last year when it was solely responsible for helping Dentsu Creative Bengaluru win the Agency of the Year title at the Cannes Lions, arguably the most coveted award in global advertising. It also bagged the three biggest Grand Prix awards at the Cannes Lions festival.
Despite the fame, recognition and immense success, Rao stepped down from his role as CEO of the DentsuMB group last year to once more walk down the entrepreneurship route. Along with his partner Madhu Sudhan, Rao started Punt Partners, a firm that will build on the growing mar-tech space in India.
Being in the industry of well over two decades, Rao has crossed many milestones along his journey. He can truly be considered as one of the pillars of the strong foundation of the A&M community.
Thoughts and tributes have been pouring in from colleagues and friends of Rao’s.
Rammohan, founder, NetworkPlay and PlatformPlay
Waking up this morning to the saddest news in recent times.
Sidharth Rao breathed his last, last evening and I don’t know what to even say, I am gutted!
He is the one who stood by me back in the day in 2008 when I launched NetworkPlay. This was his make…
Waking up this morning to the saddest news in recent times.
— RockingRam (@Rammohantweets) April 22, 2023
Sidharth Rao breathed his last, last evening and I don’t know what to even say, I am gutted!
He is the one who stood by me back in the day in 2008 when I launched NetworkPlay. This was his make…https://t.co/dAnCYxXaUO
Abbas Mirza, co-founder and creative head, Tales N Talkies Media
Having worked for Dentsu Webchutney, a top digital agency he founded and nurtured, it feels like a personal loss even though I never had a chance to meet him in person.
Rest in peace, Sidharth Rao🙏🏽
The legacy you have created will keep guiding the world of creativity in the years to come.
Surya Ragunaathan, playback singer and writer
Sidharth has been a friend of mine since 2013. Just the day before yesterday, we spoke that we completed ten years of friendship. He always encouraged my singing career and said I should keep at it no matter what. He connected me to entrepreneurs to ghost write books for them, since I am a writer too. We’d meet at Toto’s and drink with Bhatia uncle sometimes, talk about new book ideas and 90s music. Going to miss him terribly.
Sidharth has been a friend of mine since 2013. Just day before yesterday, we spoke that we completed ten years of friendship. He always encouraged my singing career and said I should keep at it no matter what. He connected me to entrepreneurs to ghost write books for them, since… pic.twitter.com/shwAGSadIR
— Surya Ragunaathan (@sangvoel) April 22, 2023
Anant Goenka, executive director, The Indian Express
Shocked to hear the terrible news of Webchutney founder Siddharth Rao. Was a pioneer, full of exciting ideas coupled with the will to execute. He played an invaluable part in the Indian marketing community's digital journey. Om Shaanti.
Shocked to hear the terrible news of Webchutney founder Siddharth Rao. Was a pioneer, full of exciting ideas coupled with the will to execute. He played an invaluable part in the Indian marketing community's digital journey. Om Shaanti.
— Anant Goenka (@anantgoenka) April 22, 2023
Rajiv Dingra, founder and chief executive officer, RD&X Network
Will miss you @sidharthrao.. a dear friend who was humble, helpful and so much more to everyone who knew him.. RIP my friend.. I’ll see you on the other side someday and we will cheers to a great life that you have led and how you inspired everyone around you to be better!
Will miss you @sidharthrao .. a dear friend who was humble, helpful and so much more to everyone who knew him.. RIP my friend.. I’ll see you on the other side someday and we will cheers to a great life that you have led and how you inspired everyone around you to be better!
— Rajiv Dingra (@rajivdingra) April 22, 2023
