Response India's founder Ram Ray passes away
Kolkata: Ram Ray, one of the most prominent figure in the advertising world, breathed his last at a private hospital in the city on Tuesday morning after a brief illness.
He was 77 and is survived by his wife and daughter.
Ray, the founder and chairman of Response India Private Limited, had a vast and an enriching experience in the world of advertising.
An avid reader, he also updated himself with the latest technological advances.
He had worked with more than 300 diverse clients and numerous Marcom and design professionals in India and USA. He has been a mentor and a guiding force for many.
A graduate from the Presidency College, Ray spent more than 56 years in marketing and advertising, of which 20 years were at JWT/HTA India and JWT USA and six years at Bates.
He headed HTA Madras, Bangalore and Calcutta. He was also the member, operating board, HTA.
He worked as the senior vice-president, JWT USA and Head of JWT San Francisco. He was the only non-American to serve on the board of JWT USA, assessed 13 western states markets to help plan JWT USA's growth and blueprinted JWT USA's startup operation in Dallas. Further, during his stint with JWT he started JWT in Colombo and JWT affiliates' network in West Asia.
Has been running Response Group since founding it in 1985. He was concurrently the CEO of Clarion, now Bates, from 1992-98. Under his leadership Response became one of the leading advertising agencies of the country having a diversified client portfolio.
