National   

R.K. Swamy dead

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JUNE 5. One of the pioneers in the advertising industry, R.K. Swamy, died here today at his residence. He was 80. Recognised as one of the prime movers in the industry, Mr. Swamy fashioned the development of two leading agencies — JWT and HTA. At 50, he promoted R.K. Swamy Advertising Associates, based in Chennai, which grew to become one of the top 10 agencies within the first five years of its operations. He was credited with shaping Chennai as one of the key advertising centres in the country.

Sensing the need for partnership and global enterprise, he tied up with BBDO Worldwide in the late 1980s to forge R.K. Swamy BBDO Advertising.

He also went on to set up Hansa Vision, an agency for quality television programming in 1986-87.

He was president or chairman of most of the industry bodies, including the Advertising Agencies Association of India and the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

Deeply involved in Indian heritage, culture and Hindu philosophy, Mr. Swamy was actively associated with the restoration of old temples and heritage monuments.

A co-founder of the Sri Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, he was a disciple of the Ahobila Mutt, running its Nrisimha Priya monthly journal for 35 years.

He was also associated with several education institutions including the Sivaswamy Ayyar schools. He is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Cong. wants PM to clarify on troops for Iraq
• 'V.P. Singh regime withdrew ordinance on Ayodhya'
• India finalises strategy on services negotiations at WTO
• India voices concern over Suu Kyi's arrest
• 'POTA has failed to contain terrorism'
• Political colour given to murder, says Cong.
• Delhi polls: third front announced
• Vohra meets PM, seeks guidance on Jammu visit
• Advani leaving for U.S., U.K. today
• Monsoon arrives in the northeast
• Byelections, an acid test for Trinamool
• R.K. Swamy dead
• The red planet beckons
• Miraculous escape
• TTZ contract: Mayawati Govt. 'flouting' norms
• Medha Patkar's condition improving
• 'Packaged water not the solution'
• 'Journalism practised by Gandhi no longer exists'
• SC defers hearing on scribe's plea
• Assumes charge
• Separate body for wasteland development
• Rice genome sequencing a revelation

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu