Advertising veteran, author and journalist Anant Rangaswami passed away on Tuesday morning in a Bengaluru hospital where he had been admitted after brief illness.
Rangaswami, 61, had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the last few days because of cardiac-related complications. He succumbed to cardiac and kidney failure.
Rangaswami was the Editor of Zee Melt and was closely associated with Rajesh Kejriwal’s Kyoorius.
Previously, he was the Editor of Storyboard, the advertising, media and marketing show on CNBC TV18.
Rangaswami had also worked as founding editor at Campaign India and senior editor at Firstpost.com.
Rangaswami had spent over three decades in India’s media and advertising companies including Star TV, Sony’s SET and BCCL’s Times Television and Times FM.
He also served as Vice President at TBWA India.
He authored two books: Watching from the Sidelines and The Elephants in the Room: The Future of Advertising in India.
The M&E industry has expressed shock and dismay on his untimely demise.
An advertising professional, salesman, journalist, editor, event manager, he was a maverick and always on top of his game. A colleague & friend that I’ve known for over 3 decades, he was candid, outspoken, a fine big hearted human being. Will miss you dearly. #AnantRangaswamy
— Raj Nayak (@rajcheerfull) May 24, 2022
No, @AnantRangaswami, it can't be true. My phone is going to ring and you will share some epiphany you just had. Or your blunt take on a trending topic. Or a passionate project you've embarked on. Go well, Anant.
— Ramki (@ramkid) May 24, 2022
Media veteran Paritosh Joshi recalled Rangaswami in a long piece written in his memory.
Remembering @AnantRangaswami.
What could be a better way of celebrating his memory than by trying to live up to his exhortation “Don’t Let Hate Win”? pic.twitter.com/Gq8cwRGpcq— परितोष शून्य (@paritoshZero) May 24, 2022
Gutted to hear that @AnantRangaswami is no longer with us. He was an amazing man and an even better friend. Thank you for all you were and all you did. I pray God builds you a Totos in heaven. One day I will drink with you there.
— Bobby Pawar (@FRIEDFOODBRAIN) May 24, 2022
An old friend @AnantRangaswami passed away this morning. Always was ready for the good fight. Condolences to the family. Om shanti. ?
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 24, 2022