Advertising doyen Bobby Sista passes away

Renowned advertising stalwart Shambhu Venkatrao Sista, popularly known as Bobby Sista, breathed his last on Saturday at Breach Candy Hospital after a prolonged illness. Sista, believed to be in his nineties, was a pioneering figure in Indian advertising, with a career spanning over fifty years.

Bobby Sista's journey into advertising began in the early 1950s, following in the footsteps of his father, Venkatarao Sista, the founder-owner of Sista Sales and Publicity Services. Established in 1934, the agency was later rebranded as AdArts before being sold to Saatchi & Saatchi in 1998. Bobby, along with his sister Subhadra, pursued advertising studies in England and is remembered for his influential work from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Beyond his professional achievements in advertising, Sista was a noted philanthropist and social entrepreneur. He founded Population First, an NGO dedicated to educating people about population and health issues. He also ran Saffron, a consultancy that further showcased his expertise and influence in the industry.

Sista held key positions in several industry bodies, serving two terms at The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI). His contributions were recognized in 2015 when he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the AAAI.

Following the sale of the agency to Saatchi & Saatchi in 1998, Sista shifted his focus to social causes. In 2002, he founded Population First, which runs Laadli, a campaign aimed at empowering girls. Sista once remarked, "I did not have an MBA degree. I had neither training nor experience of running an agency. Common sense was my only qualification, and personality and people skills my assets."
Bobby Sista's legacy in the advertising world is marked by his insistence on creative excellence and client satisfaction.
Bobby Sista's passing marks the end of an era in Indian advertising. He leaves behind a legacy of creativity, philanthropy, and a commitment to social causes.