RIP Dilip Chacko: ‘Gentleman, respectful and caring; generosity and intelligence matched only by his fun-loving spirit’

Dilip Chacko, MD of Antares Publishing Services, Former Treasurer and Executive Committee Member of Ad Club Madras, has passed away.

He was undergoing treatment for a serious ailment when he died of a heart attack on the morning of August 11, 2023.

He headed Contract Advertising’s Chennai office in an earlier assignment and is remembered fondly by his peers and colleagues.

Saritha Rao, a freelance writer and former colleague, said, “Dilip was the VP and branch head of Contract Advertising in Chennai when I worked there in the 1990s. He was ever the gentleman, and someone who exuded equipoise in a high-stress industry like advertising.  While I always knew he loved wildlife, much after my time there, I got to know about his trips to Africa that he looked forward to with great anticipation. The city has lost one of its advertising veterans today. Those of us who worked with him, lost a friend.”

Ravi Deshpande, Founder and Chairman, Whyness Worldwide, also worked with Chacko at Contract Advertising. The former exited from the WPP agency as Chairman and CCO.

Deshpande said, “I am deeply saddened by Dilip’s passing away. He was our Madras office manager and I always found him to be a true gentleman, respectful and caring towards his colleagues. His generosity and intelligence were matched only by his fun-loving spirit. A valued colleague with a calming presence, he leaves a legacy of kindness. Forever in our hearts. RIP Dilip.”

Chacko took over Contract Advertising’s Chennai branch from Jagannath Ramaswamy, Chief Mentor at independent agency Crystal.

Ramaswamy reminisced, “Dilip Chacko was a very good friend. He was a soft spoken person but with conviction on issues. A great combination of politeness and humility is how I would describe him. I still remember when he came to my house just before he took over as manager of Contract and in all earnestness asked me, “How should I go about it?” Though he was a far better advertising person than me. I pray that God gives his wife Elisheba, who was my colleague in Contract and his daughter Anna, the strength to bear this loss. A great loss for the advertising community and personally I have lost a good friend.”

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